Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2012 20:16:52 GMT 1
Hi, I have just set up my first formicarium (arena & slimline). I chose L. niger and purchased a queen which came with three workers.
I removed the cotton wool and placed the delivery tube into the arena. The workers have been quite active and roam around the arena and appear to utilise the sugar water i left in there. However the queen has remained in the tube, the workers sometimes seem to re-enter the tube from time to time.
I assumed that the queen would take some time to settle to the environment and relocate, I was just wondering how long this is on average? The tube has been in there now unsealed for about 6 hours? My only fear is that the queen will not leave the tube, arena and find here way into the slimline farm.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2012 20:28:06 GMT 1
She'll move when it's time.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2012 21:12:14 GMT 1
She feels comfortable there but her workers will eventually settle her in the slim nest when they feel safe
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2012 22:34:21 GMT 1
I have read stories where even though the folks provided the "perfect" nesting area the tube did just fine for the queen. She may stay in there for months or she may stay there a couple of days. Like bat said, all you need to do is continue what you are doing, she will move on her own. Just remember, do not force them to move. You are simply the parent and they are the kids.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2012 13:57:13 GMT 1
Thanks guys. I decided to just leave them be for a while and see what happens. The queen is still in the tube and all three of the worker ants are in there too now. But ill wait and see. However I do have another problem now. Either I made a mistake when ordering or because of a mistake at the ant shop I received another test tube today :/, it has a queen 5 workers and 2 eggs. I never planned on having two colonies .But I also I figured it probably isn't practical/good for the ants to post them back? However I don't have any spare arenas/farms..... Any ideas on improvised ant farms on a very tight budget ?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2012 14:11:09 GMT 1
I have the same kit and ants, and mine also haven't moved yet (almost 2 months in now). So It might take some patience! About the improvised ant farm: as long as you have a foraging area (where you can put the food, and they can drop the garbage) that is connected to a nesting area (where they can dig tunnels/make a nest) you'll be fine! Be creative!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2012 15:46:02 GMT 1
Hey. well just like everybody else has said all you have got to do it wait. If i was you i would put the larger colony in the formicarium and take the other ones out. The larger colony is more likely to grow faster and more likely to move into the slim area as there are more workers.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2012 0:43:34 GMT 1
How full is the test tube that the new ant colony arrived in? Is there plenty of room to for the colony to use?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2012 15:00:27 GMT 1
Hi guys, sorry for the late reply, been busy with other non ant related tasks. Still been keeping an eye on both colonies though.
The first Queen is still in the test tube in the arena formicarium, and both workers are almost always in there with her. It has been a month and a week now but Kessels i read yours have been in there two months so I will keep waiting. I keep placing fresh sugar water in the arena but they seem to ignore it?
The second queen and co I put up in a large fishbowl filled with soil and sand (split down the middle). There was plenty of room in the test tube but within a few days I noticed the test tube had been entirely filled with soil. For about a week I have seen no sign of any of the ants. Is it possible they are hibernating...?. It is still warm here.
Very little has changed but I keep putting sugar and water sources in, incase they need them. I will keep waiting, but any other advice would be welcome if anyone thinks I should do anything else. Thanks
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2012 15:11:18 GMT 1
Sounds like ur ants are hiding.They also may hae moved into the bowl and filled the test tube while they were excavating their tunnels. All you can do is leave them .maybe try some protein and sugar water on the surface and see if they come out
|
|