ANTSTORE World of Ants

[JimmyVe]

That wasn't a bad idea (to let some fresh air in it )

You can also buy (at your local fishing store) some flour maggots are some cockroaches. to feed them during the winter.
You can also give them a bit nectar they like it to, are sugar/water (put a little sugar in a small dish and put some water over it.

[sithmaster676]

thanks for the help jimmyve
but i still cant see what i am doing wrong they fed a lot on one day eating a lot of apple but as i have heard
the queen and larva need protein in there natural diet but they just don't want it they have now resealed the test tube and don't come out anymore
does anyone know what i am doing wrong
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

I'm not sure sith, i don't think you are doing something wrong.
If you provide them with food and water and a bit off sweets they have al they need. So i think everything is going to work out just fine. (you never know that for sure)

[sithmaster676]

ok thanks for the help
i think that they will properly come out when either they need some food or the larva do.
i would have thought that the workers fed the queen and larva when they did feed
but it is still a small colony only 13 ants strong including queen
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

(they are Lasius niger wright ?)
My colony Lasius niger didn't came out until they where about 30 workers strong, now they even come out during the day and they are very active.

[sithmaster676]

yes i suppose the test tube is the perfect nest for them at the moment i think there about 14 ants strong without queen but there are plenty of larva that seemed to survive the winter hibernation so hopefully they will go when they are ready
i have also fed them some honey and mixed it with some water is this ok
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

I think that is just fine Sith. You don't need to mix the honey with water (you may do that but it is not a must) and make sure that there is just water for them to drink to.

[sithmaster676]

there is plenty of water left inside the test tube in which they came in and if they don't want that there is another test tube full of water if they want that instead.
they fed on the honey water mixture on Sunday they seem to like that a lot but only one worker was doing all the work and i suppose he fed the others inside but then they blocked up the test tube again so i suppose with there bellies full they won't forage for a little will
but still they haven't eaten any source of protein is this a problem or not?
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

Not really, they will if they need it.

[sithmaster676]

ok thanks
how often does a lasius niger colony of this size need to forage so i can adjust to there feeding habits the colony is only 14 ants strong.
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

That you need to see a bit for your self.
I guess 1 or 2 times a week should do it.

But what i mean, if you give them 1 time a week food and a few days later they are all looking for food in the far you can feed them 2 times a week. If you feed them and they don't come after it in a few minutes (hours) you are feeding them to many.

[Waldläuferin]

@ sithmaster676

keep cool.
the colony will get out if there isn't enough place or water.
the queen lives there since last year. it is her home (castle). in nature a queen will take a home and stay there for ever.
it could be a really big colony in a test tube.

[sithmaster676]

yeah i suppose but they are very persistent about not coming out and i don't know why im still not sure whether to tip them out of the test tube
Sithmaster676

[Sced]

Lasius niger are i believe nocturnal, ao they will most probably forage at night until they become a strong colony. This is what myn did.

[sithmaster676]

thats great it has answered quite a few questions for me
Sithmaster676