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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 21:14:43 GMT 1
Hmmm, well the eggs maybe there but out of veiw or well camouflaged. No eggs, possible the queen ate them due to the stress of travel, just a theory not sure if it's possible, someone else may be able to confirm this. Do they have a foraging space outside the tube yet? The test tubes normally come with water bunged at one end for the ants. This is sufficient for them to live on for a long time so do not fret. If not you could feed them some ant jelly, I recommend remove the mess inside ASAP if they aren't eating it. It may go mouldy.
Hope this helps, anymore questions just ask.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 21:22:02 GMT 1
Yes, it is known to happen that the eggs are eaten due to stress.
Flavus
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 21:35:57 GMT 1
Thanks, it seems likely they have been eaten to develop or due to stress. No I ordered just a Queen because 1) that's all Antstore had in stock and 2) because I thought a Queen with first eggs could survive without food for up to a few weeks (longer actually, but as I didn't catch her I don't know how long she's been in captivity) till I sort the nest out, I wasn't expecting to have to deal with this situation haha. The trouble with cleaning it, it that they are at the air bung end, not the water cotton end (yes they have that ), so I don't want to stress her too much so soon after the long journey so will leave it a day or two longer before trying anything. I will try and sort a tub Flavus, I have some spare talc and parafin oil that I don't plan to use on the main basin (got PTFE for that), but as I said, I will leave it a day or two yet.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 21:39:03 GMT 1
If you do use the tub idea then I would bet that the worker will remove the garbage to a corner of the tub. You could then easily get rid of it.
I would not suggest using anything other than a lid unless you have tried your method with workers of the same species first. Some deterrents work on some species but not with others.
Flavus
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 22:08:59 GMT 1
OK I know I said I would wait but I had a good idea and decided to try it :/
I modified your idea Flavus, escape proof and now they have a mini foraging area! I also bought from Antstore some small test tubes, I also have a length of plastic pipe from my previous farm (I cut it short so had loads spare)
I have put some protein and honey in the new test tube and connected it to the tube, and put that in the colonies test tube, with a cotton wool seal to fil the slight gap and let air in, but I will let air in daily as well to be sure, 2 ants shouldn't need too much though I guess.
The Queen is now behind the tin foil and the worker scurrying around the new area!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 22:11:14 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2011 22:14:06 GMT 1
Thanks, I have seen that list before, been reading these forums for at least 6 months, just never had anything to say so didn't register
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2011 22:21:36 GMT 1
Hi all, my well made plan to do the majority of the build on Sunday was ruined by my girlfriend who had a terrible hangover Anyway I got to work last night and chopped the block down to size This evening I have been busy carving out the chambers, it took a few minutes to get my technique sorted but was fairly easy once I had, although after washing the block I have noticed that I made a mess of the first chamber I carved (bottom left), I may enlarge it to cover my mistake or just silicone the holes, I drilled too deep/didn't carve out enough after drilling... The block is now drying off, you may notice from the pic that it's wet. Also it's darker than I wanted but I could not find a white block I have some orange sand from Antstore that I am going to mix with water and see if it covers it but I think it will not work because the block is so dark My girlfriend wants to help finish it so I may not be able to do that until the weekend :/
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2011 22:55:43 GMT 1
I think it looks quite well made. I really would not worry about the bottom left chamber because if you fiddle around with it to much to make it perfect you might make a bigger mess. The ants really will not care if they have a little extra room. Keep us updated on the progress. Flavus
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2011 23:08:13 GMT 1
Thanks Flavus and just noticed another major error haha, forgot to carve a tunnel to the bottom 4 chambers! It's meant to be from between the two big chambers up into the middle, middle chamber, oh well I will have to get my chisels out again!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2011 18:09:49 GMT 1
LOL, i was going to point that out but I felt like a nOOb ;D Anyway, it looks great! Really nice work... If you mange to show us the final product when you have finished, I think I will be sending an Exalt your way
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2011 18:37:07 GMT 1
Thanks, I have corrected my error and smoothed out some of the other rought bits, I have tried not to fiddle with the lower left chamber much but I have made it slightly better and that will do for me I also think, my Queen has laid an egg yay! I saw I think, because the test tube is under a sheet of A4 red foil/paper and has been for a few days, and I am not going to lift it to check in case she eats the egg, so unless it's a piece of dirt of something but it's right in the centre of the tube, and I only saw it when the Queen moved because it was underneath her so fingers crossed. Formica fusca egg > larvae time anyone? Few days? I am waiting for my girlfriend to help finish the job now, I don't want to have to wait but as men we have to compromise sometimes and while she's showing an interest in ants who am I to stand in her way haha
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2011 20:42:58 GMT 1
Egg to larvae for Formica fusca is 1-3 weeks. Less if you keep it warm.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2011 21:03:05 GMT 1
Yep... The warmer the temperature = The quicker the egg develops ;D Edit: Unless it's too hot because then the egg would get fried
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2011 21:43:07 GMT 1
OK thanks guys, didn't think it would take quite that long (as in 3), I will not disturb them anyway until I am sure one way or the other.
It's usually about 21c - 25c where they are, depending on time of day and outside temp.
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