4 replies to this topic

[FeedTheAnts]

Hey, I was wondering if a single 10-gallon aquarium is large enough to house a Solenopsis richteri colony, even when it is mature?

Through a long series of events my colony that was in this aquarium is now all dead or released, and I have a tube full of fire ant queens and brood.

[CallMeCraven]

You can slow down the growth of colony once it reaches the size you want by limiting protein and other food sources.

[FeedTheAnts]

I don't really like that idea, and if I did do it, to what extent would it need to be done.

[CallMeCraven]

It would vary. You would monitor brood levels and adjust accordingly. Lots of brood, less food. Less brood, maintain food level as long as the brood amount stays stable. Little to no brood, feed more.

[AntswerMe]

Slowly decrease the supply of food you give to them, and you will see a gradual decrease in brood development and colony growth. The method itself I do not like so much. I would rather keep them in a cooler room or in a cool temperature-controlled container to slow their growth, as to not starve them, even if it wouldn't kill off the whole colony. So try either of those methods.