2 replies to this topic

[AntsClaifornia]

Queen found on 3-31-2018

week 2 

Housing-Large test tube set-up (Thinking about getting a minihearth) 
Queen-Active and feeding.
Brood-Large pile of eggs.
Temp:80 degrees F

Please let me know if I do anything wrong... I do a lot of research but this is my first time with a "semi claustral" queen...
1.The honey I added day 1 is all gone. So, I added a bit more (honeycomb). 
2.I found they like seeds. So, I got some mixed bird seeds and added some to her tube.
3. I pre-crushed a small cricket from pet-co and and put that in there too.
4. I put all food VERY close to the end of the test tube (so its easy to clean).

ANY advice is welcome... I'm told these ants are not easy to keep... so far so good.
Ill put another update 4/16/18 to see how much of the food was used

[AntsClaifornia]

Update
Week 3 
Housing-Tub and tube set-up 
Brood-large pile of eggs
Temp:80 degrees F

This week i moved her into  a tub and tube set up. The move was VERY easy! 
I just unblocked the test tube and placed it in a tub with sand from where I found her. But, before i did that...
1. I made sure to sterilize the sand (I placed the sand into a couple zip lock bags and boiled it in water)
2. I made sure the tub was escape proof...
-I found a worker Pogonomyrmex while collecting the sand (to be my test subject   )

-I put the worker in the tub to see if it could escape .... They are very poor at climbing    (no way she is getting out)

-After leaving worker in the tub for a day (with no escape) I returned her home with some seeds     
3. I added lots of food (seeds/honey/crickets) 
I'm finding is that she will always need access to a variety foods all the time. Also, I can not let that food go bad...
Here is a my set up. What do you guys think?

Next update 4/23/2018

Edited by AntsClaifornia, April 16 2018 - 11:29 AM.

[AntsClaifornia]

Hey guys,

I have found 17 more!!!... This queen is doing well and has 3 workers now. they are really cool! in only 6 weeks I have a small colony!!

 

here's a gif

Edited by AntsClaifornia, June 1 2018 - 12:08 AM.