ANTSTORE World of Ants

[MorbidMike]

Well once workers do come along.. stick the test tube into an empty icecream tub.. thats what i use for all my queens.. works a treat

This is a better idea than just putting the test tube into a box or something.. like this you have some more control over the colony (you can still close the test tube later and move the colony easier that way). And when using a lid I find that I disturb the nest less if the tube is merely connected to the icecream tub/box/whatever you use. If you place the test tube inside the box and if you accidentally shake the box when removing the lid the test tube will start rolling over (even with aluminium foil around it) and the nest will panick and the ants will run all over (also out of your box). (Yes I have had this accident before )

[Magicalsushi]

Rocking the test tube definitely sounds like a potential issue. Hmm...I could either cut a hole on the edge of the tub, slightly smaller than the width of the test tube, and push the end of test tube through it (escape risk if I get it wrong!), or keep it in place with tape or blu-tack. Are those last two options dangerous for the ants? If so, I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something.

How do you stop the ants running up the sides of the tub and standing upside down on the lid while it's closed? I can foresee escapes and/or bites if that happens (okay, perhaps not bites with L. Niger, but I might end up doing this with Myrmica rubra someday). Do you use vaseline or something, or do the ants just not seem to bother trying it anyway?

[SteveUK28]

lol.. ok i have some glass test tubes.. so i heat the end of the glass tube then push it through the plastic.. very tight and no ant is getting through it and of course it wont roll.

If you have not got glass tubes then you can use plastic ones but heat the icecream tub instead.. but you have to be very carefull... as if you heat it too much it will obviously melt too much and you will be left with a massive hole. Good luck guys

[Magicalsushi]

Been reading some other comments here, and now I'm wondering... should I be doing anything to keep the queen warm? The test tube is sitting on a shelf in my flat, and is covered up with old socks. Obviously I don't run any central heating at this time of year. The flat warms up a bit during hot summer days but never really gets all that hot. Should I be doing anything to increase the temperature in the test tube, or will it be okay left at room temperature? Is it a problem if the room gets cold at night?

(this is just an L Niger queen - maybe all the comments about heating are for continental species?)

[SteveUK28]

Lasius niger is more than fine at room temp and in the UK i wouldnt even think about a heat mat.. so dont worry about it mate