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afphred: Is a Basin essential for Lasius niger or any ant Colony? (2. Mai 2010 07:55)

I am wanting to start a new colony of Lasius niger, and this will be my first. I have read several hours worth of threads and material about starting a new colony. My question is if I MUST have a basin in addition to the skinny glass farm. I will be buying the third biggest one they offer at antstore. The dimensions are 80x50x20. It seems to me that this should suffice as I can still provide food/water on the top surface. The reason I do not want a basin is because of where I am going to put the ants in my house, it would just take up to much room.... If anyone can answer this for me it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help!

~afphred~

Gast - ehem. User: Re: Is a Basin essential for Lasius Niger or any ant Colony? (2. Mai 2010 08:40)

In the beginning it is not necessary. However when the colony is larger they want to explore the area outside the nest a lot and you have to provide them some space where they can walk and explore.

A good way is to connect a basin or "arena/outworld" via tubing to the nest, so that they can move and explore. But I think the first year you don't have to connect your farm to an extern basin but later you should ;).

You also don't have to provide a very big basin, just make sure it is connected by long tubes (but a small colony won't use too long tubes). I think it is really interesting to watch ants moving through tubes to collect food and than return to the farm much more interesting than just putting the food on the farm itself and only see the ants moving a very short distance. (but that is my opinion ;) )

afphred: Re: Is a Basin essential for Lasius niger or any ant Colony? (2. Mai 2010 18:49)

Hey thanks for the response! That is exactly the type of answer I was looking for. I think that I will set up a small basin at first. I also think that it would be interesting to watch them move around a bit. I could always get a little creative with it :D

afphred: Re: Is a Basin essential for Lasius niger or any ant Colony? (2. Mai 2010 18:50)

Oh also, how do you prevent the colony from starting in the basin? I would like them to be in the farm.

matt-man123: Re: Is a Basin essential for Lasius niger or any ant Colony? (3. Mai 2010 00:02)

afphred, make sure the basin is quite dry, it will deter them from nesting there.

matt

afphred: Re: Is a Basin essential for Lasius niger or any ant Colony? (5. Mai 2010 12:10)

Perfect. Thanks matt-man123 :drink06: