ANTSTORE World of Ants

von **Wildbird** » 26. Sep 2007 18:51

Good Evening all

First of all the good news, the queen recovered from what happened to her the other month, I now have about 15 workers. i'm buying a Macro Camera and i'll post some pics so Miszt can see how well she is doing

As we get closer to the time when she needs to hibernate it is clear that the water left in the tube will not be enough to see her over the hibernation period, I am happy for her to spend the winter in a tube and I have bought some new 180X18mm tubes from antstore and I want to get her to move house taking her kid, eggs larve and husks with her.

My plan is to put another tube on the end and tape them togther making the new dark and inviting and then leave them for a day. I was planing was to remove the barracade the workers built as I am not convinced she could climb over it.

Also they spend most of their time in the tube and I am guessing this is linked to the colder weather and I am happy as this will get her into to hibernation habbit

. Should she still be making eggs, and will they survive the winter hibernation?

Many Thanks

Paul

von **JimmyVe** » 27. Sep 2007 20:42

Hi Paul,

Good plan, i always do it like this to move them to a new tube. It is best there is enough water in it for hibernation.

She will stop soon laying eggs, they do not survive hibernation, larva do eggs don't. After hibernation (if everything works out well) she will start laying eggs again.

Greets.

von **Wildbird** » 29. Sep 2007 18:03

All

JimmyVe I tried everything I said in my first post and she flatly refused to move I used a lamp to create the light but she did not move, I went and bought a daylight bulb and made sure it was warm (not hot) but still she did not move

I have removed both barracades that her workers had built but she will not seek refuge in the dark tube, I do not want to force her but I am concerned not only is there only a bit of water left but the cotton wool plug is truely disgusting it is almost completly black and I am concerened that mould will grow there.

Any advice would be welcomed, it has been almost 2 days but she is astubborn little ant, The good news is that there are about 8 cocoons so there is time for them to hatch before the hibernation begins, assuming the cold has not killed them (it has been 8 or 9 degrees in the nights here)

Thanks

Paul

von **miszt** » 29. Sep 2007 18:07

dont worry Paul, infact it is very likly that they wont move until the test tube become completly dry, they will move eventually, just remeber that for them to move they need to find somewhere better to move to, so its just as important that a good farm, that is nice and moist, and dark is available

von **badman** » 29. Sep 2007 18:25

What if they live underground, do they just drink from the moisture in the soil?

My ligniperda are still in their tube, the cotton wool has gone mouldy, but they barely move at all. I'm not sure whether to just leave them be and hope they move into the farm, or get a new tube just in case.

von **sithmaster676** » 29. Sep 2007 19:19

no when a colony is underground they still need a test tube full of water on the surface to drink from, and ants are generally good at keeping there nests clean but if there is mold it could be dangerous to your ants so i would get a new tube if possible.
Sithmaster676

von **Dr.House** » 29. Sep 2007 20:13

If it IS mold. Mostly it isn't ... it's just queenys poo

von **JimmyVe** » 30. Sep 2007 14:05

in deed, and not only from the queen also from the workers and other stuff, left overs from there food ...

It is always best to give your ants a dish (ore something else) with fresh water.

Sometimes it takes weeks before they move but be patient.

von **sithmaster676** » 30. Sep 2007 18:11

im a good example of how much colonies love tubes i have a lasius niger colony and i brought it in november 2006 its now nearly 2008 lol
Sithmaster676

von **Purifier** » 30. Sep 2007 18:33

Are they still in the tube? Wow....in 2 years the colonysize must be huge....can they live good in the tube? Do you have some photos?

von **sithmaster676** » 30. Sep 2007 19:07

well i wouldnt say they colony is huge mainly becuase england had a really bad summer but they seem to be fine in the test tube i will get some photos soon
Sithmaster676