jcrusader: keeping my ants in dark (27. Apr 2008 17:00)

hi i have a conley of lasius niger i keep them in a dark place because i have heard that is best for them but its really annoying thow its haard to feed and water and also see them so do u have to keep them in the dark?

thank you for your time plz reply :D

KiamCameron: (27. Apr 2008 17:10)

Well if you want to feed them you can feed them in the light for a few mins or so it does disturb them though If you find a queen and keep her in light till first workers then light will not bother them ;) But yours has already workers and i'd assume there use to being in dark ;)

jcrusader: (27. Apr 2008 17:56)

thank you

Moiser: (27. Apr 2008 20:25)

Do you think a wild caught queen would get used to living in the light?

KiamCameron: (27. Apr 2008 21:55)

Yes she will but if she has workers in dark she will not be use to light (I dont think) If she has workers in the light she is use to it I think to ;)

miszt: (27. Apr 2008 22:16)

pretty much, Queens develop photophobia after a few weeks being dark, I dont know if they will re-adjust to being in the light, it will stress her out anyway if you try, so i wuldnt recomend it

Moiser: (28. Apr 2008 02:53)

So it would be better to purchase a Queen rather than find one if I wanted to keep the nest area in the light? I've read that queens that have been raised in captivity can be less photophobic. Would a Queen raised in captivity be happy making a nest in the light?

SteveUK28: (28. Apr 2008 08:45)

i cant see why not.. that would be all they are used to.. instinct would tell her that she would prefer it dark but she would not really know dark so wouldnt bother her.. im willin to best most of us ant keepers keep our ants in the light so we can see the activity. I know i sure to atm.

tail__: (28. Apr 2008 09:47)

If you catch the queen after nuptial flight, she won't be bothered by light. And the new workers will be used to light since hatching. The queen found in natural nest can also get used to light, but it will be very stressful, anyway kidnapping a queen from natural nest is an evil deed.

Necturus: (28. Apr 2008 11:38)

And anyways, ants NEED darkness to feel home and safe. Dont experiment, just do the - obvious - right thing. Ant queens usualy only get to see daylight once in their lives, during the nupital flight.
You dont try how long your dog can live under water or if the cat wont start flying eventually if you keep throwing her out of the window either. Be smart people.
Necturus