I am not new to ant keeping but I have a problem... a rather big one.
I have a large Lasius niger nest about 200+ workers with about 40-50+ brood in various stages.
A week ago the queen died unexpectedly when waking from hibernation, for what reason I do not know, she was 3 years old and fit and healthy as far as I could tell.
I have two options
1...Let the colony slowly die out
2...introduce a parasitic queen
2 is my favoured option as I would not like to see my (and my queens) hard work gone to waste.
I have heard of Lasius umbratus but what other parasitic queens are suitable for Lasius niger? And what is the best way to introduce a queen to a large nest without her being killed on sight (or smell)
I heard putting 1 or 2 workers in with her so she can take their scent?
It needs to be an ant I can get preferably from this site if possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!