ANTSTORE World of Ants

[SteveUK28]

Hi guys..
Ok im kinda new to the whole ant thing.. ive got my colony fron miszt.. thanks v much bud. Got my farm.. from here.. http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_in ... arena.html
currently i have my ants in 2 test tubes joined together the original that miszt sent and 1 i already had.. the water in the original is pretty much gone now but the ants seem pretty happy to stay in there.. ive tried puttin water in the other one with some cotton wool.. but it seems to vanish n i keep puttin cotton wool in n it just dont seem to work.. So.. here are my Q's for u guys..

1.. How do u get water into a test tube.. an stay there..
2.. Shop i try n put them into the farm now.. or should i hibernate them in the tubes over winter.
3.. Feeding.. I gave them 1 spider that was dipped in boling water n the legs taken off.. Cheers for the idea Miszt. Which they ate.. However ive put a second one in an they never touched it.. that was some 9 days after the first. Basicaly what should i give them..
4.. Protein Jelly.. Is it really any good.. and if i do make some.. how long will it keep and how much should i feed them. And if i do.. Would i have to feed them anything else.

Ok.. think thats about it.. Any help would be grately appreciated... and would hopefully help other newbies.

Steve

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[SteveUK28]

ohh one more thing too.. I have another queen hat i captured from my garden during the summer... She has laid eggs but none have hatched.. ive been keepin her in a test tube that has plenty of watger in one end..
Is there any reason why she has not laid any more eggs.. or why the eggs have not hatched??

[mzfckr]

if ants are from seperate colonys they will fight.
1. when testube dries out you need another one with water so they will move to the othertestube.
2.hibernate themin t tubes.
3.givethem honey and insects.
4.protein jelly goes mouldy quickly (24-48h).insects always are better than jelly.

make a search around forums and you will find what you need.

sorry for bad english

[miszt]

welcome to antstore forum steve

if the eggs arent hatching, she may not be fertilized, this happens sumtimes, (which is why i wait for a few months before selling queens) but there are a few things that may affect it to...lack of water or protien (insects), humidity levels, Lasius Niger need a dampish nest to raise their brood in, which is why we use the test tube with water

if the water is running out in the test tube, this doesnt matter to much, if the test tube is in your basin or connected to the farm, and the farm is damp n dark, they will move when it runs out, but as its time to hibernate they may not move, although generally Lasius Niger can wait well into winter to hibernate, we've still got a few ants crawling about near my house

[SteveUK28]

Thanks Miszt,
What do u guys suggest about hibernating.. Shall i leave them in the test tube and wrap up in some bubble wrap?? Also should i add them some food.. and continue doind so through winter??
Thanks again for all your help guys

[miszt]

they dont need food, but a bit of honey is useful for them espcaily for the vitamin content, rap the test tube in bubble rap and put it in a shed, if you have a colder room in your house i'd recomend leaving them there for a week before going into the shed as its very cold now and may shock them

[SteveUK28]

ok miszt thanks..
Hibernation sorted.. Now im thinking about when they come out next year.. is a Ytong a good idea for my colony?? if so Do you have any idea where i could get a block from??

[miszt]

ytongs are great for lasius niger, and easy to keep humid you can get Aereated concrete blocks from Homebase, for about 89 each, u can chissel them out with a standard wood chilsel, they are very soft, only takes a couple of hours to make....but be carefull, it can easily be broken if the walls are to thin between cells

[SteveUK28]

ok.. what would i use to cover it.. glass? and how would i stick it to the block? Im guessin that id be makin pretty small tunnels aswell?? i know im a pain but i just wanna make sure i get everything right.

[miszt]

theres a good tutorial on here, run a search for 'build ytong', its really easy to make, and you dont have to fix the glass with glue, but tbh, opening it up when its full of ants is probly asking for trouble lol so mite as well, however, use Aquarium safe silicon glue to stick it, other glues/sealants have nasty chemicals, but remeber to leave it for 48hrs before puttin ur ants in or you'll gas em to deat lol

[SteveUK28]

Just wondering.. But what is the most interesting Ant to watch?

[JimmyVe]

Hmm... That is a difficult question. I think everyone has his own favorite.

[mzfckr]

favourite ant is thatwhat you like it looks like,what they are doing ...

whats your favourite jimmyve?

[sithmaster676]

my favorite ant species although i don't keep them myself has to be leaf cutters although i would love to keep a colony when i get enough experience.
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

@ mzfckr: My favorite ants species... I have more than one. The one i like most are my Pheidologeton diversus, Camponotus substitutus, Messor barbarus and my Pheidole pallidula but all of my other ants i like to, and lot of species i do not have.