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highered: Mixing different colonies coverings (14. Nov 2008 12:24)

I have different species of ants and know that some species can have diseases that could kill other species so I always wash my hands when handling different colonies but as I keep my colonies in the same space due to a lack of space I would like to know how far I should go with trying to prevent cross contamination please? Eg Allowing their coverings to touch? What about touching one colonies old food then without washing hands giving new food to a different colony? What about touching one's coverings then gving food to another colony? Thanks for the help.
I bought a can o crickets from Antstore but the container said once opened you have to refridgerate it but it didn't say for how long its safe to keep them opened in the fridge. Please help.

jartok: Re: Mixing different colonies coverings (14. Nov 2008 16:23)

i had mine in fridge for 2 and half weeks before they went all nasty id freeze them or do what i do have a container with compartments and keep diff things in each one and another for crickets if you breed them and everynow and then i just pop the adults into freezer for the species who prefer it dead and keep some breeding and alive for the rubras who prefer live prey

JimmyVe: Re: Mixing different colonies coverings (14. Nov 2008 19:17)

I don't think you have to worry about cross contamination to much. ;)

highered: Re: Mixing different colonies coverings (17. Nov 2008 17:45)

Thanks, but what about mixing expensive exotic ants stuff with European ants please? what about the use of cold water instead of warm water as warm water has more bacteria in it? Thank you.

JimmyVe: Re: Mixing different colonies coverings (17. Nov 2008 18:29)

I always use cold water.