6 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

Do you simulate the darkness of underground or just leave them out and about?

[dspdrew]

I do both. A lot of mine are kept in a dark cabinet, but I do have some that are out in the light a lot. I haven't really seen a difference in colonies that are kept either way. One of my Acromyrmex colonies is in the light 24/7 because I have a webcam on them constantly, and they seem to be doing great. The only thing that clearly stresses them out, is getting them used to the dark, and then suddenly hitting them with light.

[drtrmiller]

Agreed.  Most all ants may be conditioned to ambient lighting conditions so long as there is little UV, as might be the case in sunlight.  

 

Most household lighting doesn't produce the same color spectrum to signal danger, as UV exposure from unfiltered sunlight can actually yellow and kill larvae, and so they'll take a few days or weeks to gradually adjust.

 

It's important to understand that even when adjusted to household lighting, if given a choice between a lighted and a darker location, ants will usually choose the darker location for nesting.

[Crystals]

All of my ants are in room lighting.

I found that they panicked so bad when uncovered that I just left them uncovered for easy observation.  I find as long as my shadow doesn't fall over them, they don't pay me any attention.

 

Just ensure direct sunlight never hits them.

 

It does make them harder to move.  Many of my colonies won't even choose the new dark nest over the old one with 50 cold LED lights shining on them....

[dermy]

I do something different....

 

During the founding times [when it's just the queen and your waiting for them to lay eggs and get first workers] then I leave them in the dark. But once they have a few workers I start bringing them into the light.

 

My Myrmica colony stays dark because I like watching them freak out when I move the wash-cloth from their nest

[Mathiacus]

Mine are in the garage which is mostly dark all the time. I cover a lot of the blocks but there are a few which I just let the light hit when it is on. All out worlds are left to my lighting whims too. The R.metallica nest is outside on the back deck all the time. The outworld and the back of the block recieve direct sunlight during the day (never the glass face! Think solar oven). During rain and storms they recieve moisture. It is about as natural as it gets for them. My large M.nigrocincta nest recieves heat but no direct sunlight as I have the glass face towards the sun I keep it covered. The outworld gets sunlight though. Keeps humidity high. I am thinking about setting them all up in the sun like this. It will give the perfect temperature and humidity range that they get in the wild. (Just never forget the solar oven)

Edited by Mathiacus, November 2 2014 - 12:00 PM.

[Mercutia]

I have a method that might be superstitious based but I use it anyways. When I first catch my queens I put them in a covered box until they have their first nanitics, and then I get them use to ambient light after that.

 

I don't know if it actually has any effect on productivity or success but I just do it like that... just because.