jartok: Messor barbarus req (30. Okt 2008 21:45)

Ok i just want to clarify everything with these ants before purchase make sure im on the right track and get all my stuff sorted

So first of all im on about M essor barbarus

they need dry climate so i dont need to water anything but the nest and only half this for other half will be for the seeds

i see it says radiant heater could i not just use a 14w or so heat mat that doesnt heat the air but heats the ants or do i need this and a bulb etc

any recommondations on what seeds they prefer
and hibernation is december to feb at 15c

also these better with live or dead prey

any information thats not provided be helpfull itll be some weeks before i get shed converted with all glass installed but i like to make sure everything is known in my head way in advance

Ant mad: Re: mess barb req (30. Okt 2008 22:57)

I just keep mine at room tempature and they are ok so of couse they will grow a littel slower but they are doing fine.
Mine like grass seeds and budgie seed but any others that i find they seem to take anyway.
Well normaly i would say dead insects over alive but that would also depend on nest size.
Hope this help.

jartok: Re: mess barb req (31. Okt 2008 08:14)

Ok didnt realise they would take bird seeds im gonna go cosco and buy a commercial big bag cheaply then same for grass seeds .

theyll be going in shed so itll be same temp in there then it is outside pretty much so they will need a heat mat for sure .

maybe bring them in my room till a bit more established

poporn seeds work ? got bags that stuff aswell already

gabranth: Re: mess barb req (31. Okt 2008 08:59)

they won't need seeds when there small and you need to give them freshly killed insects ( i feed mine maggots they love them :) ) as thats were most of there water comes from when there bigger you can try giving them water but messors drown easy. you can use a heat mat but you need to use a thermostat or you will cook your ants

jartok: Re: mess barb req (31. Okt 2008 11:14)

ok i order fruit flies and ordered Lucky Reptile ThermoControl PROII Thermostat/CoolerStat

gabranth: Re: mess barb req (31. Okt 2008 12:12)

are you going to order just a queen from ant store ?

jartok: Re: mess barb req (31. Okt 2008 13:55)

yes only a queen is available is there anything i need to do with just a queen i dont mind waiting for colony to grow at all

Ant mad: Re: mess barb req (31. Okt 2008 15:41)

Starting a nest from just a queen is fairly hard to do even at the best of times.
but if you do want a few workers here: Edit Antstore - No advertisement for other shops! House regulation - point 8.) :)

gabranth: Re: mess barb req (1. Nov 2008 07:59)

Edit Antstore - No advertisement for other shops! House regulation - point 8.)

lolz ant store he's only trying to help him unless you guys think its a good idea for a newbie to start with a single messor queen

jartok: Re: Messor barbarus req (1. Nov 2008 09:51)

im pretty good at rearing and lucky with any animals i have if so i should be fine ill just move my dvd player out the way for her..crickets for breeding took other part frozen fruit flies be ok obv once thawed?

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