Alby: Messor barbarus in the arena (10. Jun 2008 00:23)

Now my messor has 5 workers so I open the test tube today, 3 workers were foraging and ate a bugs that I gave for them.Now I came back to home and I found the queen out from the test tube in the arena where I've sprayed some water today.
It it normal that the queen go out from the nest?Does she need something?

KiamCameron: (10. Jun 2008 07:07)

Well if you sprayed it she might want to nest in the arena...

Spore: (10. Jun 2008 09:10)

There also may not be enuf water in the test tube so shes gone out for a drink.

Alby: (10. Jun 2008 09:15)

yes Kiam!!you're very knowledge! :D
this morning I woke up and I see a little tunnel and a hole in the sand but I haven't seen if she is in it or in the test tube..I don't want to disturb her to much...I build for her a Ytong nest so I hope she will like it..

KiamCameron: (10. Jun 2008 16:16)

I know ;) :P

JimmyVe: (10. Jun 2008 16:33)

They would like the y-tong, don't forget they can dig trough y-tong.

If you want them in that y-tong nest you should move them before they settle themselves into the sand.

Alby: (10. Jun 2008 21:55)

I have just 2-3 mm of sand in the arena...do you think I have to connect the test tube with the tunnel to the nest and then uncovered the test tube?or is better to let them move by themself?

Spore: (11. Jun 2008 07:17)

It would be best to let them move in them selves.

mpir: (11. Jun 2008 08:10)

My M. barbarus queen moves out of the tube to the arena every time I unintentionaly bump in the set up. They panic and leave the tube and go to arena... in like 5 minutes they are all back in the tube. So ... yes, for me it is quite normal to see the queen in the arena. :wink:

JimmyVe: (11. Jun 2008 17:37)

If you want them to move to the y-tong without stressing them out, just put a heat mat on the y-tong and don't heat up the tube. They will move soon. ;) (this only works in colder days, don't heat up the y-tong when it is 30°c outside.)