Uncletommy: Insects (30. Mai 2008 12:43)

I just saw a fly die on it's own by the window so i put it in boiling water for 10 seconds then put it into the test tube. The ants have taken the fly right into their nest site by the cotton wool bung. Is it safe for the fly to be that close to the eggs and stuff... i mean when they are done with it will they move it out of the nest site? I'm just worried about the health of the eggs.

cheers

KiamCameron: (30. Mai 2008 12:55)

Yeah they will move it when there done with it :)

jcrusader: (30. Mai 2008 13:15)

i got thought exactly the same as you when my ants brought in a part of a crike into their tube but after about 2 days they removed it from the nest.
i hope this answered your question :D

SteveUK28: (30. Mai 2008 13:55)

Yeh ants will always take food back to the nest to feed the queen and larvae. Usualy when they are done they will bring it back out or at least bring it to the entrance of the test tube.

Uncletommy: (1. Jun 2008 14:10)

they have moved the fly from the nest to the entrance of the tube but there are cocoons under the fly and workers around it. How long should i leave it in the tube? There is no risk of contamination is there becausde i put it in boling water?

Spore: (1. Jun 2008 20:13)

You should remove the fly when the ants have compleatly finished with it (removed the cocoons for example), or when mould starts growing on it. The fly should last longer because you did put it in boiling water, though i'm not sure how long it needs to be boiled for.

JimmyVe: (2. Jun 2008 18:05)

You don't need to boil them for a long time, just a few seconds. Fly are not that big so... ;)