ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Greedo]

Hi guys,

I've just ordered a Lacius niger queen, with around 10 workers plus brood.
I've got afew questions, and although I've done a lot of research, everyone seems to have different view points.

So;

1) Would it be too early to introduce my queen and 10 workers to a formicarium, or should I leave them inside their test tube for awhile yet?

2) If I can move them into a formicarium, how exactly can I tempt them to leave the test tube? AntsCanada has a youtube vid that shows how to slowly heat up the test-tube - has anyone tried this? I'm scared of hurting my poor ants! I was going to make sure the formicarium is dark and damp to help pursuade them.

3) How damp should I keep Lasius niger nest? The formicarium is made from Y-Tong, and has some kind of resovior in the top that'll allow water to be absorbed.

4) Would you suggest I buy a small heat-mat? I've heard people say their ants respond well to a small amount of heat, with increased productivity, and a faster growth rate. I was considering buying a mere 5w heat mat to give a small heat boost to the lower part of the formicarium and see if the nurse ants move the lavea towards the heat source.

5) What do I feed such a small colony? The normal honey/sugar water, but what about protein? Should I look into flies/spiders/tunafish? People suggest different things and different amounts.

6) Hibernation. Will 6 weeks be long enough for them to hibernate? Should I feed them anything, before or during it?

Thanks guys!

[Greedo]

Perhaps this would do better in the Newbie Questions thread - silly me.

[Mod: Moved from "Lasius"]

[Greedo]

69 views and not 1 reply?

[Shiver]

People maybe haven't replied because most of what you have asked has been covered many times over on the forum already.. In any case I will give my opinion..

1) Would it be too early to introduce my queen and 10 workers to a formicarium, or should I leave them inside their test tube for awhile yet?

I would say it's too early yes, firstly because they should be hibernating now and secondly because they are too few in number at present, you'll find it much easier to grow the colony in the tube to begin with.

2) If I can move them into a formicarium, how exactly can I tempt them to leave the test tube? AntsCanada has a youtube vid that shows how to slowly heat up the test-tube - has anyone tried this? I'm scared of hurting my poor ants! I was going to make sure the formicarium is dark and damp to help pursuade them.

Make a suitable formicarium for them and they'll move when they're good and ready, I wouldn't try to force them other than leaving the test tube open to light... When the time comes of course.

3) How damp should I keep Lasius niger nest? The formicarium is made from Y-Tong, and has some kind of resovior in the top that'll allow water to be absorbed.

Dampness is hard to measure Condensation on the glass is too damp, other than that you have to work out what's best yourself really..

4) Would you suggest I buy a small heat-mat? I've heard people say their ants respond well to a small amount of heat, with increased productivity, and a faster growth rate. I was considering buying a mere 5w heat mat to give a small heat boost to the lower part of the formicarium and see if the nurse ants move the lavea towards the heat source.

I personally don't use a heatmat for Lasius niger but it's up to you if you do, I would say though to make sure you use precautions to avoid overheating them (thermostat) or even just use a desk lamp at a suitable distance (with a timer)

5) What do I feed such a small colony? The normal honey/sugar water, but what about protein? Should I look into flies/spiders/tunafish? People suggest different things and different amounts.

Varied diet is best of course, so all of what you mentioned above plus other obvious choices, meal worms, fruit flies etc the list is endless really... just kill it first for such a small colony.

6) Hibernation. Will 6 weeks be long enough for them to hibernate? Should I feed them anything, before or during it?

Check the temp of your fridge, if it's about 5 celcius put the test tube in there, no food needed (they'll curl up and look dead anyway ), 6 weeks not enough, more like 6 months (Oct-Mar)