13 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

My Aphaenogaster rudis colony was recently moved into a THA Mini Hearth Type III. A day after the move, I noticed a worker INSIDE the water tower (it was half full). I assumed it had entered through a microscopic tear in the mesh. I covered the small hole with some plaster and assumed that was the end of it. Today, when checking on them, I noticed FOUR workers stuck inside. This means they must be getting in some other way, and they don't seem to be able to get out. 

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO PLEASE HELP!!

[Hunter]

Did they chew the mesh out some how, or the hole where you put the water into the tower if the plaster that holds the tube is cracked, ect then they can get in, had it happen to my tapinoma I had.

[Mettcollsuss]

The hole was my fault; I tried to fill the water tower from the front because I didn't realize there was a tube in the back yet and I pushed too hard.

I assume that's how the first one got in, but more are getting in even after I covered it.

[Hunter]

I would take out the colony and flood the nest and find where the water goes in

[Mettcollsuss]

the water isn't the problem; its that the ants are finding a way inside the water tower.

[Hunter]

yes i know but if you flood the nest you can watch where the water goes inside the water tower to see if there is a hole/crack you can't see

[Hunter]

or monitor where the workers are getting in

[Mettcollsuss]

ok, thanks. I just misunderstood what you were saying.

 

I still need to get the workers out of the water tower. I'm also nervous that moving them again in under a week will stress them too much.

[Hunter]

yea but i can't think of any other thing you can do besides maybe meshing the hole water tower again to see if that works, best of luck.

Edited by Hunter, April 5 2018 - 8:18 AM.

[sgheaton]

Heh, I've had a few straglers end up in my byformica's. I decided that they aren't bright enough for the colony if they get themselves stuck. 

[Connectimyrmex]

Here's how:

If the ants have no brood inside the water tower, squirt a tiny bit of water in. The water should flush them out.

 

If there is brood, use the syringe to blow air into the water tower (through the access tube).

 

If none of this works, refrigerate your ants and use a pair of scissors to cut the mesh open.

[nurbs]

The hole was my fault; I tried to fill the water tower from the front because I didn't realize there was a tube in the back yet and I pushed too hard.

I assume that's how the first one got in, but more are getting in even after I covered it.

 

Right, there is a hole in the back for a syringe. Don't fill from the front, you can damage the screen mesh that way.

 

Have you emailed THA asking if they have a solution? Like I've said before, THA is not on here, and most of the suggestions you get from users won't be as good as directly from them. 

[Mettcollsuss]

After taking a closer look, it turns out I didn't cover the hole completely.   I'm going to move them into a spare Mini Hearth and then free the four trapped workers.

[Scrixx]

From reading what you've said, it sounds like the mesh got damaged and there is now a hole big enough for workers to fit through. Like the other have said, you'll have to patch the hole. Or you can move them to another formicarium before fixing the hole