9 replies to this topic

[skocko76]

This question has been bothering me for a while. I was not able to find a proper answer on the Internet.

I realize ants like a calm, undisturbed environment, but since the missus won't allow "pests" in our home, my office space is the next best thing. Actually, it works better for me as I always wanted an ant farm on my desk. I like something to focus my eyes on while I'm pondering solutions to a problem. I'm a software developer btw.

Naturally, the office desk will introduce problems, such as light (red acetate to the rescue) and - vibrations (a sponge to help out a bit). All kinds of vibrations, typing, mug placing, you name it. 

I didn't notice any stress in my two Crematogaster queens there. None that I could readily see, that is. None of them have been able to start a colony. But, neither did their sister, safely stashed away in a dark closet. So I'm inclined to believe it is not due to vibration stress. They did not seem to be bothered by light either. Check my journal if you're interested: http://www.formicult...orteti-journal/

 

I recently moved a Messor barbarus colony of 20 workers to my desk, and they seem pretty stressed out by light. I haven't a red acetate sheet on them yet, so I cannot tell you whether typing and other activities bother them. Currently they're under aluminum foil so I'm in the dark as to what's going on in there. Anyway, I'll keep updating the progress here: http://www.formicult...rbarus-journal/

 

Do you think an office desk setup could work out in the end? Does anyone have a similar thing?

[AntsMaryland]

Messor barbarus will not be happy at all there. They do not likvibrationsns. For your other colonies, I would recommend if you have a drawer in your desk to fill it up with towels and put the queens in the test tubes there. That should stop a lot of vibrations. When they get bigger to around 50 workers than they should be fine on your desk.

[skocko76]

Messor barbarus will not be happy at all there. They do not likvibrationsns. For your other colonies, I would recommend if you have a drawer in your desk to fill it up with towels and put the queens in the test tubes there. That should stop a lot of vibrations. When they get bigger to around 50 workers than they should be fine on your desk.

Thanks for the suggestion about towels. I will definitely do everything in my power to reduce the vibrations.

Unfortunately for the Messors, the desk will have to do...  As i have written here: http://www.formicult...y-to-vibration/ they seem to cope with it if they have other blessings available to them.

Heck, it's 21st century, stress all around 

If it really doesn't work, after a couple of weeks, I'll find some way to move them to a more peaceful environment.

[AntsMaryland]

ok. Good luck!

[Shaye]

In my experience, ants are so much more adaptive than people give them credit for. Granted some queens and colonies are more sensitive than other of the same species (which may help lead to thinking that they are insanely finicky), but many more in my opinion are able to easily cope with most anything. Consistency is key to their adaptation in condition in my experience.

I have had colonies in the past that freaked out at the first minuscule bump on their habitat, or flooding of light. I added a desk fan next to their formicarium (for extremely light vibration), and kept it uncovered. After about two days, they didn't even flinch at disturbance, and were as calm as could be. That colony was kept in those conditions for slightly over 8 months and continued to thrive.

Edited by Shaye, August 24 2017 - 2:50 PM.

[skocko76]

In my experience, ants are so much more adaptive than people give them credit for. Granted some queens and colonies are more sensitive than other of the same species (which may help lead to thinking that they are insanely finicky), but many more in my opinion are able to easily cope with most anything. Consistency is key to their adaptation in condition in my experience.

I have had colonies in the past that freaked out at the first minuscule bump on their habitat, or flooding of light. I added a desk fan next to their formicarium (for extremely light vibration), and kept it uncovered. After about two days, they didn't even flinch at disturbance, and were as calm as could be. That colony was kept in those conditions for slightly over 8 months and continued to thrive.

My thoughts (and hopes) exactly!

[AntsMaryland]

It's impossible to know for sure considering to my knowledge there has been no scientific research done on this or if it has it's been very minute. Plus your example is uncertain as there was no control. There could have been many factors that played into the role of disturbance. As the study of the colonies' life span has not been tested through scientific research yet.

[Shaye]

It's impossible to know for sure considering to my knowledge there has been no scientific research done on this or if it has it's been very minute. Plus your example is uncertain as there was no control. There could have been many factors that played into the role of disturbance. As the study of the colonies' life span has not been tested through scientific research yet.

Of course, and I can't say for sure that my test would not be harmful in the end in regards to the queens lifespan. I just meant that adapting them is a combination of having an adaptive queen/colony + imagination for a corrective solution.

[Antking117]

Well, all 5 of my tetramorium colonies are out in the open with no darkness in nests whatsoever since founding on my desk. I bump/kick my desk often, they don't care for any of it. They are completely fine being in the light, feeling the vibrations, or if i move them a lot. I am not sure for your species, but mine have either gotten used to it or they never really cared.

[Shaye]

Well, all 5 of my tetramorium colonies are out in the open with no darkness in nests whatsoever since founding on my desk. I bump/kick my desk often, they don't care for any of it. They are completely fine being in the light, feeling the vibrations, or if i move them a lot. I am not sure for your species, but mine have either gotten used to it or they never really cared.

That's been my average experience with all species that I have kept. I have had the rare queen or colony that was not very adaptive, but most have been no issue. In the cases where there is an issue, given constant disturbance they adapt to it (as in my example with a miniature desk fan).

Edited by Shaye, August 26 2017 - 11:04 PM.