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JoeRoss1: Should I keep Lasius niger in the dark? (15. Mär 2009 16:22)

Hi, i'm new to this forum and have been considering keeping L asius niger in a slim ant farm.
I have heard that you should keep them in the dark, but I've also heard they will be ok to keep in light.
Does anybody know what suits this ant species best?

tail__: Re: Should I keep lasius niger in the dark? (15. Mär 2009 16:35)

It doesn't matter, just keep them far from sunlight or direct strong light (don't keep them right under the lamp). They get used to day light very fast and don't react to it. While when kept in darkness they will be stressed every time you turn the lights on.

thecowmaster: Re: Should I keep lasius niger in the dark? (15. Mär 2009 16:36)

if you put them in the dark you will see nothing, you could cover part of the farm with a transparent red paper (Cylofan paper, here in Portugal we call that to the transparent plastic paper, that kids use in the kindergarden for manual works).

But do as tail_ said

JoeRoss1: Re: Should I keep lasius niger in the dark? (15. Mär 2009 16:40)

thx for your help :D

JimmyVe: Re: Should I keep Lasius niger in the dark? (16. Mär 2009 23:04)

I always tell new keepers to keep the ants like they would live in nature. In nature they live underground so... but like tail said, you could make them get used to day light, there are many discussions about this topic. ;)
Most ants prefer to have a dark nest area.