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jcrusader: feeding ant from the test tube (4. Apr 2008 19:48)

I heard people say that you can keep the ants in the test tube they come in untill the conely is big enough to move in the farm but how do you do this? how can you feed them without all the ants escaping the tube or water them without them drowning?
can someone tell me how to do this thx :)

John.

SteveUK28: (4. Apr 2008 19:58)

well i do it by puttin the test tube into a small plastic tub with PTFE all around the sides.. then i stick a dish with cotton wool and water in .. and one dish for food.. n put there bugs or jelly into the dish.. they find it all the time.. u can also add another test tube with honey water.. OR.. use empty pill pockets to put honey/sugar water in. :D

tail__: (4. Apr 2008 20:26)

I really recommend you to give them some "out world", even if they would use the test tube as a nest for a while. Putting the food into the nest will be treated as an attack, and they may be too stressed to function normally. They may sometimes even think their nest is endangered and try to leave it and find another place. If they like the nest, they will never escape, can one escape his home? Only the scouts will go out for searching food and reconaissance.

KiamCameron: (4. Apr 2008 20:43)

I keep most of my colonies in test tubes untill they are big colonies I feed mine in the test tubes to when I feed mine honey I just got a pipete and get some honey and move the plug and put some in and they like it and I do the same with insects ;) Works more than fine!

jcrusader: (5. Apr 2008 08:55)

thx guys :o

JimmyVe: (5. Apr 2008 15:29)

I also would recommend a small out world. Much easier to feed them and less stressful for the ants.