darkharry: new to the ant world (7. Aug 2006 19:29)

fist of all let me just say hello all and thanks for some real intresting posts.

We all i would like to know what is the best way to start i have orderd The Antstore starter set with glass farm and arena with a colonie of lasius niger i would like to know the best way of setting this set up and how to make it home for my colonie with the things i am going to get in the next few days i hope.

whats the best way to get them to move in to there new home

thanks
Aaron

JimmyVe: (8. Aug 2006 19:11)

Hi darkharry, and welcome. ;)

They arrive in a test tube, if the colonie is big enough they move out themselves to there new home. just open up the tube and lay it in the tank. (to setting in your ant farm you can chouse, take a look around at the gallery on this side for ideas)

Good luck

darkharry: (8. Aug 2006 21:15)

thanks a lot i have it set up with the test tube on the side of the farm with a bit of the pip conecting them the workers run about getting sand and putting it inside the test tube the queen seems to look after the eggs and some of the worked stay by her all the time.

The workers have started to dig a hole i think that may be where she my go and nest when the colone is bigger

thanks one again
Aaron

Psychosimian: (16. Sep 2006 16:22)

How are they doing now?

darkharry: (17. Sep 2006 11:51)

they are doing well some of the eggs have hatched they are eating lots of spiders and other insects. I have over 25 ants! 30 eggs can you believe that lol. Also they have not moved from test tube and I was told they would after 2 weeks is this normal??? I should have some new ants everyday I'll keep you posted :D

JimmyVe: (18. Sep 2006 18:33)

Good for you, nice to here they are doing fine.

They don't move until they think there is a better nest around. (because there nest is to small ore not wet enough ore its to light in it ...)

so just let them in the tube and they will move if they thing its necessary

Psychosimian: (18. Sep 2006 22:13)

Hmmm.. anyone know about Camponotus Ligniperda? Ideally i could do with them not moving out of the test tube before they hibernate this year, that will make life easier :)

@ Darkharry: sounds like they are breeding pretty quickly, quite a few posts suggest that this time of year is when the queen is at her least productive :)

darkharry: (19. Sep 2006 10:00)

think this will be her last big breed before winter and I will wait till next summer before I see them move out thank you for your advice feel at ease now knowing that it's ok for them to stay there.

I will be putting them in to hibernation mid november to late november.
What time is it best to remove them from hibernation??? I heard that they hibernate for 4-6 months is this right?

Thank you, for your time.

Psychosimian: (19. Sep 2006 21:08)

I'm pretty sure someone said that they can deal with only 3months - but I dont know for sure, I'm new to this too!

There are a couple of threads going about hibernation, I've been trying to use some online website translators to read the German threads (there is a wealth of knowledge in there :) ) L.Niger also seem to be the most popular species to keep so im sure there will be plenty of info out there!

JimmyVe: (20. Sep 2006 15:17)

Lasius niger is popular because they adjust well. ;)

The period of hibernation depends from species to species. Ants from south Europe keep a shorter hibernation then north Europe ants. The winters are shorter there to. For Lasius niger about 4 months will do.

if you want to translate things try this one...
http://www.google.co.uk/language_tools?hl=en

Greets

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