ANTSTORE World of Ants

[MilitANT]

I raised my ants in a test tube and now the test tube is dirty and molding. There is no water left either. I have a second test tube covered in red celophane that the ants won't move into. I placed the second tube in the arena right next to first tube but the ants won't move in. I put a light over the arena hoping to flush the ants out but they only moved the brood and the Queen to the front of the tube where it was cooler.

The only thing I can think of is to dump the ants out forcefully. Any other suggestions? I don't want to hurt them.

[mpir]

My suggestion: patience.

When they will not like test tube anymore they will move. And I don't think it's a good idea to stress them in time of hibernation.

[JimmyVe]

Which species are we talking about and are they in hibernation now ?
If they are in hibernation they probably don't move until hibernation is over, it is better to leave them until they weak up.
Some species do not like to move and it could take a few weeks before they do.

And how long ago did you put in the new tube ? They don't move in one day.

[MilitANT]

I have Tetramorium caespitum. I raised the colony from a single mated Queen I got over the summer. The Queen continues to lay eggs, there are tons of larvae and workers hatch almost daily. They are not in hibernation.

It's been weeks since I put in the new test tube so my patience is starting to wear out. If they don't move the mold can kill them and I don't want that to happen. i have placed a light over the test tube and the workers are slowly moving the brood to the front of the test tube. Hopefuly they'll just move everyone out into the arena so I can remove the filthy test tube.

[miszt]

The ants will move if they need to, and if they find somewhere better to live, dont stress

[JimmyVe]

I personally have no experience with this species so i can not tell you if they are quick movers ore not. (seems like they are not )
Like miszt said, they will normally move if necessary. If the mold gets to bad you can help them a bit but try not to stress them out to much.

[miszt]

I moved my colony twice during summer, they moved over night both times all the usual tricks should help them to move, but you need to remeber, that t nylanderi are very timid, and they will not move if they feel like they may be in danger, so leave them totally alone for 24hours, and they should move

[MilitANT]

After a long time they finally moved! They left the test tube and starting living in the arena. Only one ant stayed behind and I had to evict her with force . The colony split into groups: one group took brood to one side of the arena and one group took brood to the other side. They also took the Queen as well. I placed the new test tube near the group with the Queen. Over night both groups merged into one and moved into the test tube.

[JimmyVe]

Congratulations, i'm sure they feel okay in there new home now. You see, just need some patient.
Good luck.

[SteveUK28]

Excellent glad to hear they moved ok