7 replies to this topic

[StayLoki]

I have a stubborn queen who refuses to move into a new test tube. I have her attached to another tt and she just moves poop or whatever and drinks from the new one, but treks back to the brood in a dry tt.
I have syringes and was considering just gently refilling behind the water plug...has anyone tried to do this?
I'm worried it will flood into the chamber or something..idk

[AntsBC]

I wouldn't recommend refilling. There are a few reasons why you shouldn't do this:

1. You could easily smash into some brood or even the queen by accident

2. The queen might get really stressed and possibly eat her brood

3. You could accidentally flood the tube. 

4. queen might fall out of tube when you open the lid so you can refill

 

I would recommend using light or possibly heat to move her. As long as she and her brood are still getting water/moisture it is ok for the queen to sill live in the test tube. Don't get stressed about it. The queen will move when she's ready.

[StayLoki]

Ok thanks antsbc!
I've been using artificial light, just shining a fl on her and she's totally unaffected by it...I've seen posts saying sunlight... Try that maybe?

[AntsBC]

You can, although I'm not sure that would make a difference. Make sure you leave the flashlight or light on her for days or however it takes for her to move. If you just shine it on her for a minute or two it won't make a difference. What species is it? Sometimes you can try different methods depending on the species and some species aren't effected by light.

[AntsMaryland]

If the species is Lasius... GOOD LUCK! I am still struggling to move my Lasius colonies into new test tubes... I have given up for now...

[Dotdispenser]

The way I see it, you have a few options:

1) Leave her tied to a test tube filled with water. The auxiliary tube will act as a tiny foraging area.

2) Put her in a small formicarium such as Nurbs’ pencil case formicarium (something very small):

http://www.formicult...d/?fromsearch=1

3) Use a gradual increase of heat to get her to relocate. Make sure the heat source isn’t a direct heat source (heat pad or heat cable). I use a work desk lamp that emits large amounts of heat if left on for a long time (remember, needs to be a gradual increase), and then I put it as close to the test tube as I can to cause the queens to move.

All three options will allow her the basic needs during the founding stage.

[StayLoki]

You can, although I'm not sure that would make a difference. Make sure you leave the flashlight or light on her for days or however it takes for her to move. If you just shine it on her for a minute or two it won't make a difference. What species is it? Sometimes you can try different methods depending on the species and some species aren't effected by light.

Lights been shining on her for almost a week like some military torture style, and she totally doesn't care..

If the species is Lasius... GOOD LUCK! I am still struggling to move my Lasius colonies into new test tubes... I have given up for now...

It is Lasius!! ...flavus ..Goshdurrnit lmao

[StayLoki]

Well thanks for the advice! I'll just keep waiting her out...she basically is using the new tubes as 'outworlds' and doesn't move into them, but hey if that what she wants to do, whatever 💓 lol