2 replies to this topic

[Dotdispenser]

So, as many of you may have heard, TarHeelAnts has had some problems with their Type II Formicariums letting off a harmful odor and killing ants (only their fall 2017 formicariums had problems, and the majority of their formicaria had absolutely no problems.

I caught my dream species--Camponotus Castaneus and Camponotus Americanus--just a month or so ago. I caught one queen of each and was so proud of myself and felt so good to be able to nurture and learn from them.

As it turns out, I had some Mini Hearths from TarHeelAnts' "bad batch."

I was wondering if anyone knew any ways to doctor the ants back to health once they were affected by the odor.

Current Symptoms:

1) Both are constantly laying on side, but if tampered with both will move their legs and antennae.
2) This has progressed over a period of about a week.

Just to clarify, I'm not insulting or criticizing TarHeelAnts in any way. Their owner is an outstanding guy who creates outstanding houses for ants and knows the anting hobby inside and out. I am just looking for a way to revive my ants back to normal health.

Thanks for any help!

[YsTheAnt]

Put them on a moist towel, let them "air out", and feed them some sugar. Wash the mini hearths out and soak them for a day, then let dry thoroughly. Test them with a few worker ants of the same species as your queens, leave them for 24-48 hours. If they show no symptoms, you are good to go. If they even show the slightest signs of intoxication, rinse out and soak one more day.

[CoolColJ]

Don't soak the the nest too long under water as the glue used in the silicon seal will dissolve or something. At least it did with one of my Atom C nests....

Edited by CoolColJ, June 13 2018 - 3:58 PM.