mzfckr: (13. Mär 2008 20:46)

from here or garden shops

JimmyVe: (14. Mär 2008 14:50)

In deed, you could by them here at the shop ore look at a local garden shop, they probably will have it to.

LukeyG21: (24. Mär 2008 05:59)

Does anyone know if the U.S. common black ant (Monomorium minimum) is mostly the same as Lasius niger?

Codus: (10. Apr 2008 16:25)

Miszt,

Thanks for this info-sheet, was probably the single most useful resource I found so far on the internet.

However, given my recent experiences there are a couple of bits of extra info that could be added:-

1. In the section on hibernation you mention that in spring, the workers will start actively foraging and be VERY hungry. I'm starting to learn that this isn't necessarily the case for a new, small colony (i.e. 10 workers or less?) and that it wouldn't be strange for them to stay put in their nest until another batch of workers are born? Could be that I'm wrong on this, but I'm basing it on my own recent experience.

2. A rough guide on how long for each stage of the life cycle would also be a good addition. I realise each stage can vary depending on set-up/time of year etc, but a ball park figure would be useful to stop us newbies checking on our set-ups every day and thinking to ourselves "how much longer is that cocoon going to sit there?" :o)

Codus

JimmyVe: (10. Apr 2008 16:31)

1) They do come out to eat (even small colonies) but they do it most of the time at night, that way they feel saver.

2) Look here ;)

Codus: (10. Apr 2008 16:35)

Thanks Jimmy - I did find that post when I was doing a search on the subject, but the point was it would be a good addition to the care sheet :)

Then again, Miszt does say at the very beginning that patience is key in keeping ants - I think I've got to learn that and realise that my ants won't work to a timetable!

miszt: (10. Apr 2008 16:36)

1. you didnt hibernate your colony, so they wouldnt have reduced their fat reserves enough, also, spring is when a large number of workers should be hatching, as soon as the tempreture goes up, the larvae that hibernated will need fattening up quickly so they can hatch within a few weeks of spring, however by not hibernating them (keeping them below 10C for 3months), you mess up their annual clock, and so their is no spring for the colony.

2. I avoided putting that there, because it varies greatly depending on the tempreture and food they are given, as a rough guide, 3-4weeks per stage (egg/larvae/coccon)

glad it was useful :)

Codus: (10. Apr 2008 16:52)

I realise now that there's quite a few things I've done wrong since starting out - I just wish I'd found this forum beforehand!

My interest was started off when my other half bought me one of the plastic antfarm kits as a Christmas pressie a couple of years ago - their "instruction" booklet leaves a lot to be desired.

Every day is a school day as they say!

miszt: (10. Apr 2008 17:30)

we're all learning :) thats half the fun i think :D

I'm guessin by your description your other half bought you an Antworks setup, with the blue gel? you'll come accross plenty of rants about them on here lol i'll leave u to find them rather than post them up again

have fun :-)

Codus: (11. Apr 2008 09:18)

No, it was one of the green plastic Wild Science Antfarms, with sand (a bit like the Uncle Milton farms).

Needless to say it's long been thrown away and replaced with something much better :)

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