23 replies to this topic

[Jamiesname]

I have a medium/large queen ant with several pupae and lots of eggs and larvae in a tube. Here's the issue: She only has about 20% or less of her water supply left inside of her tube. The queen is very finicky, and doesn't handle stress very well, which is also a problem. I could move her eggs,larvae and pupae, but I'm afraid of damaging them. I'm Hoping her first nanitic(s) emerge soon so they can move the brood to a founding formicarium for her. In the event that they don't, would she move the brood herself if I hooked her test tube up to some vynle tubing? I want to avoid any direct contact possibe.

[Jamiesname]

Double posted, sorry

[Scrixx]

connect two test tubes with tape or vinyl tubing. She'll move to the new one when it dries up.

[Jamiesname]

connect two test tubes with tape or vinyl tubing. She'll move to the new one when it dries up.

Thanks, I'll do that. That way she can leave her brood in the other tube if she wants to, and if she doesn't she won't have far to move them.

[nurbs]

Search search search search search search search search search search search there is a search bar at the top right of this forum.

 

(Seriously this topic should be a sticky. But even if it was I don't think half the people would read it) 

[T.C.]

Search search search search search search search search search search search there is a search bar at the top right of this forum.
 
(Seriously this topic should be a sticky. But even if it was I don't think half the people would read it)

Not a huge deal... but yeah. Save alot of time by searching and you'll likely get better results, or at least a great deal of choices to choose from. I typed into Google search bar, "testube running out of water" and boom!

[Jamiesname]

Search search search search search search search search search search search there is a search bar at the top right of this forum.

(Seriously this topic should be a sticky. But even if it was I don't think half the people would read it)

Details may not be important to you, but they are to me. If you would have taken the time to notice the details of my post, you would know that I am seeking more than having someone give me an answer and solve my problem. Although Scrixx did just that, provided a quick fix that avoids the issues I've stated, I still don't know if it's safe to move brood myself, or what the risk of damaging it is.

Sure, a simple search will give me a solution to my problem. It didn't (since you fail to pay attention to details, that implies that I did in fact search, but I wasn't satisfied with what I found) provide me with even an inkling as to whether or not hand moving eggs, larvae and pupae is a good or bad idea. I know people do it, but is it safe, is it worth the risk, is there another solution which would force the queen to move her own brood, CAN she move the entire pile without leaving some behind? There's more there than a simple search can provide, and before you argue the fact that all of those things can be searched individually; what makes more sense? Simply asking others that know much more about this subject than I do, or wasting time which was better spent helping my children with their homework.

I admit that I am guilty of poor communication for not directly asking for all of the information that I was seeking. I'll take that over being immature any day.

To everyone else, thank you for putting up with us newbies. I understand we all come here asking the same questions that have been answered multiple times on multiple forums. Thanks to those with the patience and the passion to help us along, or at the very least point us in the right direction.

[T.C.]

Search search search search search search search search search search search there is a search bar at the top right of this forum.
(Seriously this topic should be a sticky. But even if it was I don't think half the people would read it)

Details may not be important to you, but they are to me. If you would have taken the time to notice the details of my post, you would know that I am seeking more than having someone give me an answer and solve my problem. Although Scrixx did just that, provided a quick fix that avoids the issues I've stated, I still don't know if it's safe to move brood myself, or what the risk of damaging it is.
Sure, a simple search will give me a solution to my problem. It didn't (since you fail to pay attention to details, that implies that I did in fact search, but I wasn't satisfied with what I found) provide me with even an inkling as to whether or not hand moving eggs, larvae and pupae is a good or bad idea. I know people do it, but is it safe, is it worth the risk, is there another solution which would force the queen to move her own brood, CAN she move the entire pile without leaving some behind? There's more there than a simple search can provide, and before you argue the fact that all of those things can be searched individually; what makes more sense? Simply asking others that know much more about this subject than I do, or wasting time which was better spent helping my children with their homework.
I admit that I am guilty of poor communication for not directly asking for all of the information that I was seeking. I'll take that over being immature any day.
To everyone else, thank you for putting up with us newbies. I understand we all come here asking the same questions that have been answered multiple times on multiple forums. Thanks to those with the patience and the passion to help us along, or at the very least point us in the right direction.

Your exact question has been asked many times. You want to know the best method to move them and if she'll take the brood with. This has been asked and the answer is yes. Or at least that's generally the case. You say you didn't like your results you found. What makes you think responses here would be different? We can't change or alter the upcoming results. Like I stated, not a huge deal you asked, but by recommending you search this, it saves yourself and others time.

[Serafine]

[nurbs]

 

Search search search search search search search search search search search there is a search bar at the top right of this forum.

(Seriously this topic should be a sticky. But even if it was I don't think half the people would read it)

Details may not be important to you, but they are to me. If you would have taken the time to notice the details of my post, you would know that I am seeking more than having someone give me an answer and solve my problem. Although Scrixx did just that, provided a quick fix that avoids the issues I've stated, I still don't know if it's safe to move brood myself, or what the risk of damaging it is.

Sure, a simple search will give me a solution to my problem. It didn't (since you fail to pay attention to details, that implies that I did in fact search, but I wasn't satisfied with what I found) provide me with even an inkling as to whether or not hand moving eggs, larvae and pupae is a good or bad idea. I know people do it, but is it safe, is it worth the risk, is there another solution which would force the queen to move her own brood, CAN she move the entire pile without leaving some behind? There's more there than a simple search can provide, and before you argue the fact that all of those things can be searched individually; what makes more sense? Simply asking others that know much more about this subject than I do, or wasting time which was better spent helping my children with their homework.

I admit that I am guilty of poor communication for not directly asking for all of the information that I was seeking. I'll take that over being immature any day.

To everyone else, thank you for putting up with us newbies. I understand we all come here asking the same questions that have been answered multiple times on multiple forums. Thanks to those with the patience and the passion to help us along, or at the very least point us in the right direction.

 

 

There's a lot in search results. Here is one. Should answer all your detailed questions. Let me know if there is a question you didn't get answered, I can probably answer it for you!

 

You're welcome. 

 

http://www.formicult...t-tube/?p=72943

http://www.formicult...ing +test +tube

 

EDIT:

Here is another with pretty pictures by yours truly:

http://www.formicult...-tubes/?p=63721

Edited by nurbs, October 9 2017 - 11:57 PM.

[noebl1]

 

I hadn't seen these one before, I may try this, thanks!

[sgheaton]

 

Your exact question has been asked many times. 

 

Haaaaa.... Your frustration is going to follow you throughout the rest of your life as you continually question why others simply don't. 

[Serafine]

There are certain newbie questions that will be asked over and over and over and over again - and as long as people ask polite without acting like idiots I don't have an issue with that. Sure, they could have used the search function or google but you won't always be getting the results you seek.

If such a question is asked you can either answer it (and advise to use the search function in the future)  - or ignore it. Complaining about it will have ZERO effect, because in the end it is like fighting a Tsunami. There will always be a flood of new people and if you don't want them here, well, then we could as well shut down the whole forums.

 

What COULD help are:

- Stickies with relevant information (not everyone will use them, but it reduces the flood).

- A knowledge base (the german antkeeping forum has this, I am seriously missing something similar in this one).

- A topic for "short questions short answers".

- A subforum specifically for newbies and their questions.

- A link to the Antkeeping Discord where there are enough people to happily answer any and all questions.

[RhodyAnts]

There is benefit to asking a question again, even an easy one. More eyes seeing a question provides more solutions and more variation. Look at the straw idea! That's an awesome solution that could be new to many folks. I get that you can get tired of seeing the same boring questions and the same boring answers, and yes there is certainly benefit to searching the answer first (which the poster claims to have done), but at the end of the day no one HAS to answer it, and no one HAS to even look at it. If ignored a lazy poster will then be forced to search for the answer. If a charitable board member chooses to answer it then the poster will have their answer hand delivered with love through the inter tubes. Seems like a whole lot of hassle over such an easily avoided nuisance.

[nurbs]

There is benefit to asking a question again, even an easy one. More eyes seeing a question provides more solutions and more variation. Look at the straw idea! That's an awesome solution that could be new to many folks. I get that you can get tired of seeing the same boring questions and the same boring answers, and yes there is certainly benefit to searching the answer first (which the poster claims to have done), but at the end of the day no one HAS to answer it, and no one HAS to even look at it. If ignored a lazy poster will then be forced to search for the answer. If a charitable board member chooses to answer it then the poster will have their answer hand delivered with love through the inter tubes. Seems like a whole lot of hassle over such an easily avoided nuisance.

 

There is no hassle on this discussion other than the self-righteous lectures you guys keep making in bringing this topic back up.

 

All I did was tell the OP to do a search - because in his original post he never said he did one (he only mentioned it after the fact)

 

I even took the time to respond to him with my own search that answered all his questions.

 

Been on this forum since its inception and have seen this topic posted countless times - and in multiple cases politely answered many of them without ever once getting a simple "thanks nurbs!"

 

So if all you sensitive snowflakes who are butthurt when others request you do some legwork before posting, I'm not sorry your feelings were hurt. Grow a pair. Life doesn't always give you straight answers.

 

Also, that cottonball/straw thing is nothing new (have tried this myself), and while on paper and pictures it looks like an amazing idea, it's not and it is overly complicated (just use tape, DUH).

 

The real issue is not about finding clever solutions to connect two test tubes. The issue with almost every post regarding transferring ants from one tube to another is "I connected my test tubes but the ants won't move! HALP!"

 

I would answer that question. But that answer is also in the search.

Edited by nurbs, October 18 2017 - 3:06 AM.

[Serafine]

Also, that cottonball/straw thing is nothing new (have tried this myself), and while on paper and pictures it looks like an amazing idea, it's not and it is overly complicated (just use tape, DUH).

It's as easy as it can get, DUH. You need 4 feet to be unable to pull it off.
Obviously it doesn't work for very small ants but for those tape isn't a proper solution either.

[Hunter]

i just use a super long neddle to fill it

[RhodyAnts]

Nurbs you got to admit, it was a little more than just simply suggesting that he search. That said I do understand your frustration, especially at the lack of a simple thanks. I get it. But keep in mind too that the guy, any guy, might like myself be a very new very curious future ant keeper who might themselves get annoyed at the tone of your response and decide not to keep ants or go to another board robbing us all of the any wisdom this future ant keeper might have. Having said my peace, I'd like to thank you for your contribution to the community. I hope to someday be a better contributor.

[nurbs]

Nurbs you got to admit, it was a little more than just simply suggesting that he search. 

 

RhodyAnts, that is exactly all it was suggesting. They'll live. 

 

But your point is taken. I am just a grumpy old man who is tired of repeating himself. 

[T.C.]

Nurbs you got to admit, it was a little more than just simply suggesting that he search.

 
RhodyAnts, that is exactly all it was suggesting. They'll live. 
 
But your point is taken. I am just a grumpy old man who is tired of repeating himself.

Can I help you find your walker sir?