ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Varban]

Fire away with questions, criticisms and the occasional compliment won't hurt either! My ego can take it and I will pas the messages to Salma!

H.R.M. Salma I's Thread

[Varban]

No better way to portray my ameteurism but by asking one of those questions that I should know the answer but I dont since I skipped some biology classes...
H.R.M has loads of seeds for food and I know thats the main food stuff for messors, but do I need to add anything else for protein? The link between proteins and seeds is missing in my head

[JimmyVe]

insects should do it

[JimmyVe]

It's very nice (the dairy) but make sure the queen can make a small nest, may by its possible to connect the test tube on to the chamber so she can go in it, it makes here feel saver than in the open air.

[Varban]

I added more dirt so she can make a little nest for herself

[Varban]

Hmm she is rather messy and she shoves all the dirt onto the cotton with water ... I like to keep things neat but she doesn't, still her nest building skills need improvement aaprt from throwing dirt all around she hasn't got too far! I will get some corn seeds and grind them a bit for her protein supply.

Also i noticed that she keeps carying one egg around very often. It's like she doesn't know what to do with it ...

[JimmyVe]

That's because she is in the open Varban, she needs a nest (like a test tube) where it is wet (not to wet) en dark. if she is not feeling convertible she is not going to lay eggs. Queens do not like light and love small and wet places
Give here a nest !!!

Good luck

[HeldGoP]

dont feed her seeds, its better to offer her some honeywater and dead insects. the best insects to feed are fruitflys.

greetings

[Varban]

Well she laid 2 eggs today she also made some progress on digging a small nest in the container and threw all the dirt on the cotton. The whole thing is rather wet and i replaced the sand with mould so it's quite dark. A worm somehow made its way in the container when i was putting the mould in ... so place is wet and dark and she is digging in ...

Held I thought messors prefer seeds? I will change her food regime if I am wrong =)
Regarding the water can she still get water if the ground is wet? because taking the cotton out will just disturb things too much and keeping the soil wet is easier, not too wet of course!
Will keep you posted ...

[JimmyVe]

That's nice to here Varban, that she is laying eggs !
Now she is feeling convertible

you don't have to take the cotton out, leave it inside she will get enough water this way.

Keep up the good work

[Varban]

Hey Jimmy,
Thanks =) I just updated my diary with the latest information.
Ok I know that in nature the queen when founding a nest digs a whole and seals it but in my case how do I provide food? She just sealed the entrance to her chamber.
At that stage I hope she can tackle the worm as that will be a good supply of food for a good while. Of course if the worm tackles her that will be a problem ...

I will provide a new picture with the new setup in 3 mins ...

EDIT: Small Nest Picture is up

[JimmyVe]

Hi,
you could kill the worm Normally she will come out if she's hungry, if that's not the case try to stuff some food in the little nest. She will be fine in the dark. Watch here and if she doesn't eat the eggs everything is going to be ok.

[Varban]

Hey Jimmy,

Her new home should be here tomorrow so I will just move her there. I think that will be the best solution. I know it will mean losing a day for her to settle again but it's for the best! Hope the 1KG of sand/loam mix will be enough, would be a pitty if I have to go looking for more in Dublin ...

EDIT: New Diary Entry ...

[JimmyVe]

Hi Varban,

Don't worry she will not starve herself to dead...
That's good to here, for starting i think 1kg is enough.

Place pictures if you installed your formicarium

Greets

[JimmyVe]

Easy way to make a Formicarium for a small colonie

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