10 replies to this topic

[Michaelofvancouver]

So I just woke my Camponotus modoc colony up from hibernation two weeks ago, and they still haven't foraged at all. I also have another problem, because they used the chamber directly leading to the entrance as a garbage dump, and now it's covered with mold. They're in a Haven THA formicarium, but it doesn't have removable walls. Does anyone know what I should do?

 

I was thinking of moving them out and then cleaning the formicarium, but they stubbornly refuse to move. My second plan is to use really small forceps to grab all the chunks of mold, but I have no idea where to get the forceps. Anyone have any and would be willing to mail them to me for a small Paypal fee?

Also, I was wondering whether the mold at the entrance is what's stopping them from foraging.

[Crystals]

Camponotus are bad for keeping food in their nest.  I only give mine a max of 1/3 free space in a nest.

How big is the colony?  Small colonies don't forage often or for long.

The mold may be stopping them if it right at the entrance.  If it is right at the entrance, long tweezers, or possibly even a pipe cleaner maybe able to drag it out.

Another option is to hook up a piece of vinyl tubing to a small dust buster to suck any loose pieces out.

[Chromerust]

Vinegar is a great mold inhibitor. Try and put some on a Qtip and wipe around the mold. Ants also hate vinegar and may leave the nest so you can clean it. Also you can buy some springtails online and let them clean the mold up.

[dspdrew]

Yeah, springtails eat mold. They think it's yummy.

[dean_k]

Can springtails and ants co-exist in the same nest? Or will ants eat them?

[Michaelofvancouver]

Can springtails and ants co-exist in the same nest? Or will ants eat them?

I have a feeling sprintails are too small and quick to be caught by the large Camponotus workers. Although there's no way my parents would let me have springtails in the house. They barely tolerate the fact that I keep ants.

[Michaelofvancouver]

I got rid of most of the big chunks of mold using my moms eyelash removing tweezers and a wet q-tip. There's still some small stuff left, I'll try to use an aspirator to get rid of that.

[Chromerust]

Can springtails and ants co-exist in the same nest? Or will ants eat them?

I have a feeling sprintails are too small and quick to be caught by the large Camponotus workers. Although there's no way my parents would let me have springtails in the house. They barely tolerate the fact that I keep ants.

Springtails are nearly microscopic and ants can't grab them. Also from what I've seen ants show no interest in springtails and they live just fine together

[Michaelofvancouver]

 

 

Can springtails and ants co-exist in the same nest? Or will ants eat them?

I have a feeling sprintails are too small and quick to be caught by the large Camponotus workers. Although there's no way my parents would let me have springtails in the house. They barely tolerate the fact that I keep ants.

Springtails are nearly microscopic and ants can't grab them. Also from what I've seen ants show no interest in springtails and they live just fine together

 

Thanks for letting me know! Are sprintails good escape artists?

[Chromerust]

They seem to stay where ever you put them as long as it's damp. You can order some at joshsfrogs.com.

[Michaelofvancouver]

Alright, I'll add that site to my bookmarks.