3 replies to this topic

[matt123]

My two tetramorium colonies had dirty test tubes and I moved them into new ones today.

They were very stubborn and even after 12 hours showed no signs of looking to move, instead they looked stressed from the exposure to light.

 

So I decided to dump the ants into the new tubes and one by one with a wet tootthpick I very carefully grabbed the brood. no brood appeared to be harmed in this process. I finished this about 4 hours ago.

Both colonies (about 8 workers) look extremly stressed out from this process, it must've been a long day for them!

 

I wonder if I should feed them some honey and/protein or wait until tomorrow. I normally feed them a protein snack sunday evenings.

 

Also, if my queens are looking a little balled up and almost unresponsive, is that something to be concerned about? They don't normally show this behavior. They are deffinetly alive as they both move their antenae around to say hi to their workers during their brood cuddles.

[Pleming]

Is she balled up on the brood? Sometimes when my queens freak out from light or vibrations the curl over the brood. 

 

They''ll calm down eventually. 

[matt123]

Yea balled up on the brood. My GF noticed the ants like to 'cuddle' their brood and it stuck lol.

I am going to put them back in my closet now where the vibrations can be kept to a dull roar.

 

When do you think they'll start laying again? I am hoping to get a second generation in before hibernation.

[Pleming]

Yeah they do that.

 

It all depends. I have a few queens still laying eggs and some haven't laid eggs in weeks. Also hibernation is late here in CA.