ANTSTORE World of Ants

[tomorrownight]

Hey everyone!
i just received today my first glass start kit with a Lasius niger and a few workers.

Am i right in thinking you add the sandy stuff with a few bits of larger bits to the glass farm then add a small amount of water to make it easier to dig?
Also:

1. how long should i keep them in the test tube for? (some people say grow the colony in the test tube) should i remove them asap?

2. i assume that a red filter will allow me to see them, but them not to be disturbed by light - is this important with Lasius niger?

3. is there anyway i can add workers to my new batch - either buy more or collect from garden (im guessing not)

4. what should i expect to happen once i put them in the tank?

5. is there anywhere for the instructions in english?

6. is there any general advice about what i should do to help them thrive?

Thanks alot for any help!

[tomorrownight]

ok im getting sorted bascially - i put the testtube in the basin bit with the lid out, and they eventually started exploring, but only a couple of them. Then i put a tiny peice of honey in the feeder and eventually one of them found it and kept drinking from it, then went back to the rest of them in the test tube and they all woke up and started kissing! then the queen who i was starting to think was dead started moving around and she would grab one of the tiny workers and stroke their antannae with her legs, they seemed a bit apprehensive, like when your grandma kisses you! will she need any protein or is the zucker honig stuff enough for what she needs? i eventually wanted to start a aphid culture in there.

[tomorrownight]

is it possible to over feed them, they completely nuked a drop of honey!

[matt-man123]

Hey and

I don't know why people havent replied so i will answer a few of you questions

1. the colony can stay in the test tube for the first year, my brother takes his out of the tube after the colony's first hibernation but after a year should be ok.

2. It is better if they are in a dark space but i wouldn't really be worried about sealing off light to your queen. Just cover up part of the tube so they have a little of light so they can get used to it.

3. You could Give your colony some cocoons to boost them but if you do dont give to many if you have a lone queen just give her a few, maybe 10-20. give her maybe 1 worker at a time, if i boost i only give 2 workers to the queen and 10 cocoons.

4. When you first put them into the tank not much will happen, they will move in darkness at night so dont expect to see much going on.

5. What do you mean by instuction, if you mean how to care for a colony then go to this thread and follow the links........ viewtopic.php?f=27&t=6355&start=0

6. The key factor factor is not to let there test tube/nest moist and always make sure they have clean water access 24/7.

hope that helps, matt

[tomorrownight]

wow, so does that mean i dont need to set anything up, just give them the test tube (you know its only about a 1cm wide? ) they have all stopped doing things now. The queen has 6 workers with her, and they have been feeding her the honey stuff, and ive put in a dead lady bird in there. ive just now put a water place (with cotton wool in). is there anything else i can do? when will they start digging?

also in your part 6 - 6. The key factor factor is not to let there test tube/nest moist and always make sure they have clean water access 24/7. does that mean i should keep it moist or not let it get too moist?

also, could i add cocoons from a wild nest from the garden? would these then just act as slave (or adopted) ants? so they wont start digging for another year? that means i can un connect all the tubes and the other farm bit yes?

[matt-man123]

Ok i meant in other words: Dont let the nest get to dry.

wild cocoons from a garden nest would be fine and what do you mean by, will they start digging arent they in a tube???

[tomorrownight]

they are in the test tube, but its laying open in the arena - is that not right? also, how would i feed and water her if she was just in a tube?

good about the cocoons - what about if you used lasisus flavius cocoons, would they tell the difference? if so wouldnt they tell the difference between another tribe of lassisus niger?

remember she has a few workers already (6)

[tomorrownight]

yesterday she was being really active, but today they dont move at all, they just stand there next to the queen, what does that mean, is there something wrong?

[tomorrownight]

hey could someone get back to me, im really worried about my ants now,

basically i fed them honey on the first day and they seemed really happy and ran around loads and explored and then the day after, and the day after that and now a third day they havnt left or really moved, they havnt left the test tube they just sit there with the queen.

they are in a testtube in a basic with dry loam ground, connected to a farm which they havent even attempted. what should i do?

[SteveUK28]

Ok, firstly Lasius niger will hardly do anything with such a small colony you need to have some patience. Secondly they will need protein so pop to ur local pet shop or fishing tackle or place that sells lizards and get yaself some crickets.. or ebay.. or just do a search for livefood. They usualy will stay in a testtube for a good year.. providing there is still water behind the bit of cotton wool, if it all goes you can always give them a new test tube which they may or may not move into. I keep all my new colonys in small setups.. i will leave the testtube open inside a small container like and empty icecream tub. You can then easily place food, water and sugar inside the tub and easily clean it. Then once they reach a good size, personaly i wait till the test tube is full of ends, you can move them to the chosen setup.

Of i think i have covered all your questions if not.. then ask away.. also there is a very good search function here with lots of advice around the forum.. including a care sheet.. so go look around a bit

Good luck with your colony and to the forum

[tomorrownight]

hey, thanks for that, the care sheet is down though i think at the moment.
cool thanks for answering those, but:

a) do i need to connect up the farm, or should i just leave them in the basin?

b) they never venture outside of the testtube to collect any food, is that an issue (they did the first day but havnt in 3 days)

c) do they need an aditional water apart from what is in the test tube?

d) how many workers can the queen make before she dies/starves (if they dont feed her anything?)

e) if i collect eggs, cocoons etc. from wild nests (some one said about that on here) should i add those to the test tube or inside the basin or what?

f) are any of the other british species more active or do they all take a year in the testtube?

g) a bit off topic, but how many british species are there?

thanks alot

[insanebe]

A) if you put them in the farm they will bury themselves and you wont see them for 3 years lol

B)This is normal and is why you wont see them for 3 years if you put them in the farm, this is why everybody uses ytong with a glass plate connected to a basin and why people keep them in the test tube for the first year they are easier to look after, observe etc

C)no

D)Usually 1 to 2 batches of eggs i think

E) i wouldn't do this, so i dunno

F)If your thinking of an ant that will produce a 100 workers in a year from scratch there isn't one (far as i know), some ant species form colonies with multiple queens like Myrmica Rubra

G) no idea some are extinct

[SteveUK28]

Lol just about all your questions have been answered here and around the net already loads of times... One thing about ant keeping is that you need to do some research yourself.

The Care Sheet should be up and working now.. at least one of them anyways..

As we have said already your colony is tiny so your not going to see them out feeding.. they will only do this at night while your sleeping.

They will not need any more water apart from what is in the test tube.

The workers will feed her now, so you dont have to worry about that...

If you did collect cocoons or anything id put them into the basin so they dont get stressed out.. but as Lasius niger grow quick enough there really aint any need.

There is lots and lots of british ants.. But i think they only ones that come close to breeding as fast as niger is multiple queen colonies of Myrimica rubra and some Formica. spec.

You really should go do a search dude as there is lots and lots of info out there, not just on this site..

[tomorrownight]

yeah ive read SOOOO much recently on the net about ants, however there isnt anything about how to keep ants in this way. The caresheet will be really useful but is still down, (it says it will be ready in a couple of weeks time.)

its been good watching them, i collected a few other ants for the other farm i have and theyve been really good to watch, there must be more to ants than hormones and instincts you know...

thanks for getting back to me though!