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I am new with ants so i don´t know much about this. I am planning to buy some ants and a formicarium for them. :)
So, I know that a good species to start with is Lasius n iger (correct me if I am wrong). But I need help with which formicarium I should buy. I have looked a bit and it seemed like this: http://www.antstore.net/shop/starter-sets-for-ants-antfarm/starter-kits---XS-M-L-XL/ANTSTORE-Starter-Kit-XS.htmlp was good. Are there any flaws with this formicarium, and can you see the when they "dig" their tunnels in it? Do you need anything more than this? I am also wondering what you should do with the ants if you are going on a holiday for maybe two weeks.
- luciduci
Lasius niger is a good specie to start with. Until the colony have 30-40 workers I think is better to keep them in the test tube.
For a first formicarium I would suggest an ytong nest http://www.antstore.net/shop/antfarms---nests/nests/beton-nests/, you will have a better view of your ant colony.
No problem for 2-3 week holidays, as long the nest or the test tube don't dry out. When I go to holiday I leave a test tube with some honey for my larger colonies and just a mealworm for the smaller ones, and I had no problems.
Thanks for the fast reply! :)
But how do you get a test tube? Do you get one when you order your ants? Can you buy some here at antstore? How long time does it take to get 30 to 40 workers? Do all of those workers fit in that test tube?
If you look at the first of the formicariums you linked, do you get something to put the formicarium in like a glass container, or do you have to buy it separately?
And thanks again for the awnser!
-Luciduci
Oh and at what temprature does the ants need to be in? I plan on having them in a room that is like 20 C, is that enogh?
EDIT: Another question of course... How do you hibernate your ants?
Ohh, when I scrolled down a bit I saw this http://www.antstore.net/shop/Formicarien---Nester/Nester/Beton-Nester/Ytongnest---Premium-20x15x5.html did you mean something like this or was it everything that was on that list?
I had Lasius niger in the past but I have no more. I have a colony of Lasius emarginatus , I think they are quite similar. A lot of workers fit in a test tube, they like to stay close one another, when I get my Lasius emarginatus colony they where I think 150 workers and a lot of brood and fit in the test tube. After 5 months they grow A LOT currently I estimate they are around 500 workers maybe more. A young colony is a little slower to grow, If you buy them from antstore I suggest to take a colony with 11-25 workers or more.
I keep my european ants at room temperature, 18 to 30 °C depending on the season, and I don't hibernate Lasius emarginatus .
You will get a plastic test tube when you buy your ant colony, but I suggest you to buy some glass test tubes (I am not affiliate with antstore :D but I find difficult to buy test tubes in my city) http://www.antstore.net/shop/antfarms---nests/nests/Test-tubes/ they are cheap and if you start to like ants you will need them to collect and raise queens. Raise a colony from a queen you caught yourself is very rewarding.
Yes I meant something like the formicarium you linked, I built a similar one (not so nice however) for my colony.
lasius_emarginatus_nest.jpg
Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it. :)
But I still have some more questions:
Earlier you said that I should keep my ants in a test tube before I put them in the formicarium. Do you then mean like literally just let them be in the test tube until they reach 30 to 40 ants? Then, do you need to feed your ants when they are in the test tube, how?
Does Lasius n iger need to hibernate? If they do is it easy to make them? If it isn´t is Lasius e marginatus good to start with?
I think some more questions will come along but we will see?
Thanks again for the respond and I am very great full
-Luciduci
I just put small droplets of honey or small piece of mealworm near the test tube entrance, ants do not escape usually. When I have a good number of ants I connect the test tube to the nest, and when the ants wants to they move in, sometimes after some weeks.
I think Lasius niger do not strictly need hibernation like some other species. From my small experience I don't have noticed many differences in keeping L. niger and L. emarginatus .
Hello,
I think Lasius niger do not strictly need hibernation like some other species. From my small experience I don't have noticed many differences in keeping L. niger and L. emarginatus.
That isn't correct! Of course - Lasius niger and Lasius emarginatus need hibernation.
Look here:
http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_info.php?language=en&gm_boosted_product=Lasius-emarginatus&Ameisen-und-Wirbellose=Ameisen-aus-Suedeuropa&Lasius-emarginatus_html=&products_id=1693&
http://www.antstore.net/shop/ants-and-invertebrates/Ants-from-Central-Europe/Lasius-niger--Black-Garden-Ant-.html
Greetings
Well then, how do I hiberate my ants?
Do you need to put them in a fridge? Can I just put the formicarium outside (here in Sweden it can be -20 C in the winter)? Will they freezeto death then?
-Luciduci