ANTSTORE World of Ants

[sithmaster676]

hi all
i have been speaking to some people on another forum and they told me that i should pour my ants out of the test tube into there new home
do you think i should do this or not
Sithmaster676

[willi461]

NO.
Dont force them out.Let them stay and eventually they will come out theirselves.
Might take time.My acromyrmex took 4 weeks to come out lol.

[mpir]

You could pour them out, but in my oppinion that is unnecesary stress. Let them do it their own way.

[sithmaster676]

well 4 weeks isn't bad my colony has been inside the test tube since November and i haven't heard anyone whose ants have stayed in this long but hibernation was a big part of it
can anyone give me any advice on what to do
Sithmaster676

[Sced]

Have you tried putting alot of light on the tube and making the plave where you want them to nest dark?

[mpir]

I´m not sure why do you see this as a problem. As long as the ants are in test tube you have no worries about moisture. Once they move out you have to keep ytong/soil damp so have much more work and worries.
Best advice I can give you is to be pacient. The ants will not stay in the tube forever. Eventually the water in the tube will dry out and the ants will move.

[sithmaster676]

well it is going to take along time to run out as it has lasted since November and still seems full, but im more worried that they block up the test tube completely and stop foraging and when i put a small hole in the blockade they harvest for a day then re-block the tube is there any reason for this?
Sithmaster676

[NuEM]

They block the tube for security reasons. Obviously a test tube isn't exactly the most natural place for ants to live, so they try and make it fit their needs. Lots of Sand in the tube and only a small chamber remaining is exactly what they need. Don't worry, they will open the blockade when they need to forage.

Look at it this way, if they stay in the tube it means they like it there. So don't force them out. You have nothing to gain, but risk your colonies health.

[JimmyVe]

I never forced a colony (queen) to move out the tube, some of them move out quickly others move out slow. I let them do it there one way. I think it is the best way.

[mpir]

well it is going to take along time to run out as it has lasted since November and still seems full, ...

Consider this: during the winter the temperatures are low this means low evaporation. When it warms up, the water will evaporate fast. So be pacient my firend.

[sithmaster676]

well thanks for the help guys
but im stilled worried that they haven't eaten any source of protein since before they went into hibernation and i know that it is needed for the queen but they don't seem bothered about it they would happily go for honey or apple instead so i have place a meal worm inside the tank with its head and tail cut off hopefully they will go for it
anyone know what this could be or can provide any help ?
Sithmaster676

[mpir]

... i know that it is needed for the queen but they don't seem bothered about it...

Queen does not need proteins. Ants need carbohydrates i.e. shugar, honey, fruits, ... Only larva needs it, so that the ant can develop into an adult. Don´t worry so much, ants have been around for millions of years, much longer than humans. And they´ve managed without our help. As long as you put everything at thir disposal they will take care of themselves.

[sithmaster676]

well yeah there is always plenty of food and im about to put in some more honey and they seem very happy eating the honey and fruit
i suppose the larva can live without protein because they have to when the queen is on her own?
and can anyone give some advice on a bizarre behavior my ants have a very large fish tank about 8 gallon and i recently placed in some grass seed and today i looked in and a worker is carrying them to the test tube entrance any ideas ?
Sithmaster676

[mpir]

Well, some of the ants love the seeds. For most of Messors seeds are favoured food. Not sure how is it with L. niger.

[JimmyVe]

I'm not sure about that nether, never tried it with my Lasius niger.
But i think they are not going to eat them.