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Apr 12, 2011 23:47:13 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2011 23:47:13 GMT 1
Ive kept a few species over the last two or so years, L. Niger, (still have, and was my first ) L. Flavus (queen died) M. Rubra (got too big, released them into the back garden) I would like to move onto a more demanding species, possibly one the Messor barbarus as I have a spare heat mat, what would I need to keep these healthy/happy? Thanks
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Apr 13, 2011 0:41:51 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 0:41:51 GMT 1
Hello jake,
Welcome to MANF, I am glad you joined and hope that you find this an enjoyable place to be.
I have moved this thread to General Ant Topics as it seemed you were more asking for advice.
You would need a suitable formicarium (I am not sure if you have one, if so could you tell us what model?), you would need a variety of seeds, insects, etc.
It would also be advisable to do some research on them and see what they prefer seed wise, humidity and other tricks that ant keepers have that will help with raising them.
Flavus
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Apr 13, 2011 9:45:32 GMT 1
Post by Myrm on Apr 13, 2011 9:45:32 GMT 1
Hi Jake, and welcome to the forum. It is good to have you join us. Sounds like you have had some good success with ants. What size is your Lasius niger colony? How old is it? How big was it when you first got it? As Flavus Bin Lid says, Messor like seeds. They also like heat so your heat mat would be good. (I am assuming you are in the UK). I think they like quite dry conditions and a sandy/loamy soil. Good luck and let us know how you get on with them. Stevant Bin Lid is just about to start a Messor colony. He is from the UK. I think they are his first Messors too.
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Apr 13, 2011 11:23:01 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 11:23:01 GMT 1
They are my second messors but the first lot I wasn't prepared to look after very well, and unfortuneately they got a desease and started killing each other. Me and Thomas2010 are planning on starting a colony from a single queen. (We're racing eachother to get the best colony first ;D ) Are going to start from a queen or with a small colony?
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Apr 13, 2011 15:37:00 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 15:37:00 GMT 1
( i am in the u.k)i was thinking for the messors, that a ytong might be more preferable, well i would be getting it from edu sci, as they seem to be the cheapest? (from the cost of postage from antstore is quite high)?
Thanks
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Apr 13, 2011 15:40:59 GMT 1
Post by Myrm on Apr 13, 2011 15:40:59 GMT 1
Hi Jake Yes, though Antstore do sell some awesome ants, their postage prices are almost criminal. I would opt for Edu-Sci (or Ants Unearthed as they are now called) if they have a species available that you want. Their postage is either £2.99 or £6.99 depending on speed of delivery. They have a Messor queen in stock at the moment for £9.95.
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Apr 13, 2011 16:17:41 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 16:17:41 GMT 1
Or ants kallyta, they have incredible customer service! Sent me a free colony of messors when I told them mine had escaped from their set up and vanished!
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Apr 13, 2011 17:48:57 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 17:48:57 GMT 1
is the standard post on kallyta ok to use? as it seems much cheaper than using a GLS post?
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Apr 13, 2011 19:03:00 GMT 1
Post by Myrm on Apr 13, 2011 19:03:00 GMT 1
is the standard post on kallyta ok to use? as it seems much cheaper than using a GLS post? I have never used them before but I once used the slow service on Antstore (which got delayed and ended up taking 2 weeks to get to me) and the ants were fine.
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Apr 13, 2011 19:08:17 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 19:08:17 GMT 1
Yes the postage on ants kalytta that is cheapest (£8) takes about 3-4 days if i remember correctly.
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Apr 13, 2011 20:39:14 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 20:39:14 GMT 1
kk thanks , i think im going to move away from messors now actually, i would like to give another go at a C, lingperida, last time my queen had almost all of her brood into the final stages and died. (she was huge) my fav species is Pheidole pallidula, but have always been worrried with them being master escape artists, but also dealing with there needs which i dont think i could deal with, but im also looking into a ytong, and im pretty sure they would quite happily munch through that? atleast the majors? Thanks
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Apr 13, 2011 20:41:09 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 20:41:09 GMT 1
What have you heard about Pheidole Pallidulas needs? What makes them so awkward?
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Apr 13, 2011 20:46:36 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 20:46:36 GMT 1
well i would assume (previuosly having a pair of bearded dragons and a chamelon) that the humidity would need to be very specific, e.g. able to drink, but need a warm dry air moisture, which in an ant farm, could be quite a hard balance to accomplish?
thanks for the speedy reply
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Apr 13, 2011 20:56:25 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 20:56:25 GMT 1
Phiedole like it dry.
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Apr 13, 2011 21:00:45 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 21:00:45 GMT 1
i know.. what what im trying to say is, how you deliver a dry air, but also give them water, along with say half the nest heated with a heat matt, i would have guessed would be very tricky
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