ANTSTORE World of Ants

[sianhilton]

I had 2 colonies of Messor barbarus each comprising of 1 queen 3-5 workers, each started off as just queens. so quite pleased with result so far.

I intend to transfer the test tube in to basin of sand / loam mixture?

I have 3 questions.

(1) How deep to make the sand / loam substrate?
(2) What is the best way in keeping basin part damp (Brood) and part dry for seed storage)
(3) When I put the test tube initially in the basin shall I wrap it up in foil to make it not so bright?

Any other tips as I have already had one failure with this species i.e lost the queen but the workers and brood survived for some reason?

Regards

[JimmyVe]

Nice to hear the are doing a good job (your queens, and you off course )

1) What do you mean by how deep ? How big the farm must be ?
2) If you have a sand/loam nest it is best to use some granulate underneath it (like the setup you make for Lasius niger, check care sheet from miszt at the beginner section) that way the sand will suck up the water from underneath and the top section stays dry. Try it out a few weeks before you put the ants in it so you see how much water the farm needs in a week.
3) It is best to cover up the tube if you put it in the basin.

Good luck.