ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Kalkoman]

Hi all!

I'm currently thinking of buying a Formica fusca colony, but first I would like some information about how to take care of them. There is no English description available on the website, unfortunately, and I don't know German :/..

I have been keeping Lasius nigerin the past and kind of know how to take care of those, but what differs when taking care of Formica fusca? Do they need a lot of space for nestbuilding? Do they sting? Will they be very aggressive, unlike the Lasius niger? Please fill up on any information you know of !

Thanks in advance,

Linus

[JimmyVe]

hi Kalkoman,

I don't have experience with Formica fusca but as for as i know they don't need much different care than Lasius niger

I don't think they sting. And as for as i know they are not really aggressive.

Here you can find some information about them:
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and here you can find nice pictures of them.
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Greetings

[sithmaster676]

hi kalkoman
if i am right formica fusca are a wood ant, these dont need any special heat lamps or humidifiers but may need a bit more room i have no experience with these but have heard a lot about them.
they are very aggressive and if i am right i think they can spray a formic acid instead of stinging
I'm not sure what it is best to keep these ants in e.g. tank or plaster nest.
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

You can keep them in a Y-tong nest (you don't need to keep them in a wooden nest) they are indeed wood ants like Stih sad.
I don't think they need more room than Lasius niger seth, because they colony (on full strength) only contains about 500-2000 workers, Lasius niger about 40.000.
But you are right about the formic acid (i think) i read about it. But they are not so aggressive then Myrmica rubra (for example)

[Sced]

I heard that these ants climb alot, so you should put ptfe [if glass arena] on aswell as a lid to avoid any escapes.

[Kalkoman]

Thanks for the answers! I don't know wheter I will buy F. Fuscas or L. Nigers :S! What do you think? Why should I choose one of them?

Thanks!

Linus

[JimmyVe]

That is up to you Kalkoman. But if you know that Lasius niger is a very active species (except during there hibernation ) and the colony grows very fast. They are maybe a little interested to look at.

But i like Formica fusca to. So it is your choice.

[mpir]

Hi Kalkoman,

my advice to you is: if you aready have experience with Lasius niger then try something new. Maybe you will fail but on the other hand maybe your colony will sucessfuly grow and you will have much joy from them. Try it, you have (almost) nothing to lose.

good luck

[Kalkoman]

Hey all,

Thanks again for all the advice ! I had just ordered a L. Niger colony when mpir posted the answer . But oh well, I think I will grow the L. Nigers colony and hopefully it will be a strong and happy one. I will try getting some kind of Formica this summer instead.. I want them too !

[JimmyVe]

i know, it starts with one and before you know it you have 10 colonies.

[Kalkoman]

Hi all!

My Lasius niger colony arrived yesterday, alive and healthy! I have put the test-tube in my ant farm and some ants have ventured outside to dig some and get food. , thank you all for your help!

[JimmyVe]

That is nice to hear Kalkoman,

Happy ant keeping. Keep us notice how they are doing.