ANTSTORE World of Ants

[gabranth]

ive ordered a Formica sanguinea colony and a Formica fusca colony (slave colony) from ant store and wondering if there easy to look after and how long does it take for them to turn from egg to worker.


also does anyone in the uk have a Formica rufa colony?

[miszt]

They are easy to look after, and can be kept in much the same way as Lasius niger i believe development time is 6-8 weeks

[gabranth]

thxs

question 2 can they dig into wood e.g nest in rotton wood

[tail__]

Yes, if it is soft and decayed. Formica fusca often make nests in old wood pieces.

[gabranth]

do Formica sanguinea also like rotten wood?

[JimmyVe]

First off all, it is better to first ask questions and than order ants.

They sometimes nest in wood (or rotten wood) but you can also keep them in a y-tong nest.

[gabranth]

but i did do some research thats why ive got them i basin not a 2cm wide antfarm so they can commit suicide


also i didn't need to ask the question first as the wood is just decor if they like making there nests in it then can have the wood if they don't then they don't have to have it

[miszt]

cheer up gabranth the sun has finally come out in the UK! wooo!

Formica are fine in pretty muchany set up I have Formica in 2 farms with no problems, the only time you will have problems is with species like rufa, which make very large and specialized nests

[gabranth]

i hate the sun and won't formica sanguinea poison them selves if they start spaying in an enclosed space?

[miszt]

Yes they will, but its upto the keeper to make sure they stay calm, which is why they are not recomended for begginers

[gabranth]

hopefully they will be as calm as the rest of my ant colony's

[JimmyVe]

As long as you don't upset them to much it would work out just fine.
And it only happens in larger colonies, so i don't think you need to worry about that already.

[gabranth]

i read is and was thinking they were going to spray like made when ever something moved like Formica rufa. im not bothered if they spray me i just don't want them to get injured

from antstore checklist:

Formica sanguinea -> massive sprayer

[gabranth]

they have arrived and the Formica sanguinea have fusca workers and unlike the last store i bought an ant colony from there alive and well and not half dead with broken antennae

[JimmyVe]

Good for you. I wish you good luck with this colony.