ANTSTORE World of Ants

[jartok]

hi i want to start keeping ants i dont know what to get weather to go for a start set or just buy the individual parts what would people reccoment ?

also i not sure on what ants to have im in the uk
i dont really want ants that hibernate but i dont want ants that are to hard to keep as im new to this anyone got any suggestions and if they need heaters what ones i see voltages but nothing about the heat they make thanks

[Kale^^]

I suggest you to take the starter set, it is really good, also you should start with a easy species (non-hibernatin species are exotic and need special care and conditions).
A good species to start with is Lasius Niger, Myrmica rubra or Formica fusca.

An exotic species is always a bigger investment and you lose it more easily. Lasius niger is cheap and almost idiot-proof (unless there's something wrong witht the queen).

I've kept ants for 2 years now, and i've not had any exotic species yet, though i'm going to get some during next month. I've gained lot's of experience from european ants, and yes, i' have lost some colonies/queens but raised many too.

Hope this helps to convince you to get a easier species first. If you really want to get a exotic species, then you have to make many more investments (maybe large tanks, food usually has to be bought during winter... etc), and you have to plan everything well before getting the ants.

[gabranth]

Lasius niger is cheap and almost idiot-proof (unless there's something wrong witht the queen).

mine ended up dead guess its not idiot proof after all

[Kale^^]

Well, maybe you're not an idiot then. Ofcourse any animal isn't idiot proof, but lasius niger is just very good because they aren't so sensitive to the mistakes the owner may make.

[jartok]

well i was gonna by the luxery starter set for 79quid and i was thinking about Pheidole pallidula level 1 risk 3 but dont hibernate if room kept descent temp i dont want the exotic ants yet but winter is coming and id rather not wait 6months every year if can be helped also what mistakes can be made that kill colonies?


also when the mating happens and u get them flying what do i do with these ? let them out if there local ants? i duno

also i want to raise a self sustaining colony will this kit do that or will i ave to get rid of it and get another one fairly quick as i read u can not addon to the start kits

[gabranth]

there not the best for beginners as there escape artists but if your going to get them make sure you use this stuff

http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_info.php/info/p397_Fluid-PTFE-GP1-10ml.html

also ants have finished mating

[jartok]

yeh i dont mind ptfe the cage i wont go ahead unless im 100percent certain of keeping them anyways otherwise i go for lasisus flavus

[gabranth]

you won't see Lasius flavus doing much

[jartok]

ah what should i get that are active and not hard to keep and pref not lasisus niger . i have around 120quid to spend first and come christmas ill have few grand to add on if need to

[gabranth]

Myrmica rubra or Formica fusca are good

[jartok]

how big colony could i keep in ANTSTORE Profi Set - XL glassfarm/arena - 30x20 and how long it last roughly just wana make sure everything is good before i waste money

[jartok]

i read Formica (Serviformica) fusca keep dormacy in local temps but says nothing about keeping hibernation does that mean they wont hibernate as long as its kept descent temp or to hibernate then says only need lamp

[gabranth]

heh thats german translation for you. local temperatures are good enough but they require hibernation in the winter most none exotic ants require hibernation

[jartok]

ok quick question as i wont be paid for few weeks if i order ants now with just a few could i keep them in the tube for now and they be ok and when they arrive will there be enough water for them in tube or will i need to redo it and how about food how do i just put tube in container and food in container ? and what food should i by this species ill go for these. also lasis niger are they same as these just diff looking because if there is no diff between these really there much cheaper to buy

[gabranth]

if you have less than 10 ants you can keep them in the testtube for a while. to feed them give them small flies or other small insects and some honey fixed with water. Lasius nigers are small blacks ants fusca are the same except much bigger