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moulusque: Re: Advice needed for Messor Barbarus (12. Jun 2021 14:46)

Hello everybody,

I bought 6 weeks ago a colony of messor barbarus. since then the colony hasn't grown much (maybe +10 ants) and they don't use the Digfix at all. They are just "sitting" on top of it and not being very active. What do I do wrong ?
They have food, mainly the seed provided in the starter kit and dandilion seeds, and from time to time I give then flies.

Thanks

Italiaants: Re: Advice needed for Messor Barbarus (15. Jun 2021 11:22)

Hello moulusque.
How big is your colony? It's not surprising that a small colony doesn't really dig at first. Not even that they are not really active. You could try: Moisten the Digfix Pre-drill a small hole so that the ants know they can dig there. And try it with warmth, for example a warming mat (not a very warm one, let a small one run for a few hours) Maybe you have a picture Then it would be easier to judge

moulusque: Re: Advice needed for Messor Barbarus (16. Jun 2021 19:53)

Hello,

Thanks for your answer. It is funny actually, they started to dig right after my message. :)
I have a heat pad (16cm*16cm) but it sits right under the sand arena. Should I put it under one of the vertical panel ?
I usually cover the left one with the envelop to prevent any stress.
The colony is about ~20 individuals. I started with 13 ants but some hatched and 3 died.
I attached 2 pictures :

20210616_203217 (2).jpg

20210616_203208 (3).jpg

Thanks for the help.