I've a colony about 50 of messor barburus with a queen and still yesterday they live in the test tube untill I've made three holes for the water in the ytong nest and they move in it.
But today they move with all larvas and seeds in connection tube..can it be a matter?and I've to do something or let to do what they want??
best bet is to let them do what they want.
maybe try to make the ytong darker if not already done so or a little bit warmer.
hope this helps
Also make sure there is a dry part in the ytong where they can put there seeds.
yes they have a part dry and one wet maybe is for the red foil...so now I'll try to cover with a newspaper and let the red foil only for my osservation...
Normally they can not see red light but you can try it out. ;)
Keep us informed if they moved after you covered it with the newspaper.
they are in the nest again with the newspaper..they are quite if I observe them with the red foil but they don't like it if I use it for all the day...