ANTSTORE World of Ants

[BodgerBadger]

Hi all, my first post here.

I am waiting for a delivery of Myrmica scabrinodis so while I wait I have been setting up my tank. I have attached a photo of it for people to view and comment on, I'd rather make changes to it now while its empty than find out something is wrong once the ants are in.

I have used a 50/50 sand/loam mix with a layer of sand on the top so I can see the ants better. Plus it looks neater. The tube on the left is for keeping the soil moist, it has cotton wool in the end and is stuck deep into the soil. The other tube leads into what I want to be a feeding area, Im hoping this means less disruption and less chance of escaping ants.

There is a piece of wood to the right hand side with a small space beneath it for the ants to nest if thats what they prefer.
I would like to see the tunnels, but I would also like it to be as natural as I can make it.

The red circle just shows the entrance to the feeding tube thing, it goes under the sand then up and out the tank. Is it too steep for the ants to climb???

So how have I done???

[LeonofLondon]

The set up you have is fine the ants be ok on is that I don’t really see why you need an extra feeding area as the tank is quite large and enough to provide nest and foraging space. To prevent escape paint a small strip of cooking oil lightly around the top in part of the tank (you might want to check with antstore if this is ok with Myrmica scabrinodis first). I personally would have added a ytong or farm area so I could view into the nest that way you could keep an eye on the progress of your queen but that’s just my personal preference.

[BodgerBadger]

I think your right, now they are in the tank and settling in it seems a bit excessive having the feeding area. The original thinking was that I would make it easier to feed them without risking escapee's.

I know what you mean about seeing the queen, but its too late now. I was watching them settle in and once the workers had found a spot they liked (under some wood), one of them went into the test tube and dragged the queen into her new home. I though she would take herself there, but she had no choice in this at all!

I think they have settled in after there first night, there was lots of dirt outside the piece of wood so it seems they have been digging lots last night!

Cool stuff, got the weekend to find out what they like to eat. Also one of the workers keeps carrying a dead worker around, are they looking for somewhere to dump the body? Should I remove it?

[LeonofLondon]

once they become fully established in there new enviroment they will dispose of the body in a section of the tank that they will use as there waist area i expect.

[BodgerBadger]

Not been much about in the way of insects apart from the odd fly here and there. Just got home from work and my dog has a habit of killing spiders and eating them, but she only just killed this one so I popped it in the tank for the ants. They are loving it!! Its a bit big, but they are giving it a go.

It'll be interesting to see what they do to it.