Got Workers, Now What?

Questions from those who are just starting or considering getting into the ant keeping hobby. If you’re intimidated or confused by the in-depth posts of the other sections of this forum, feel free to post here, and we'll start from square one!

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SamuelMamuel
Posts: 187
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm

Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23365Post SamuelMamuel
Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:12 pm

I have a tetramorium queen in a test tube. She has a few workers. Do you I put her straight into a formicarium? What is my next step?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23366Post Batspiderfish
Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:15 pm

Wait until the colony is larger before you attempt to move them into a formicarium. Colonies in temperate regions will thrive in a test tube until the water runs out. They will, however need access to a foraging area soon. You can place the entire tube in an escape-proof container.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

Chris22

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23368Post Chris22
Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:18 pm

Yea your gonna need to wait until it has about 15-20 workers to move them into a formicarium

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SamuelMamuel
Posts: 187
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23372Post SamuelMamuel
Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:31 pm

Chris22 wrote:
Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:18 pm
Yea your gonna need to wait until it has about 15-20 workers to move them into a formicarium
Even with the segmented vertical omni nest?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

Chris22

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23400Post Chris22
Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:17 am

yea

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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23401Post Batspiderfish
Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:19 am

It's about the colony's ability to move safely, not the size of the nest.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

User avatar
SamuelMamuel
Posts: 187
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23410Post SamuelMamuel
Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:47 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:19 am
It's about the colony's ability to move safely, not the size of the nest.
What do you mean by move safely?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

Serafine

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23420Post Serafine
Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:00 am

Put the test tube into a small container or outworld, and offer them food there. You can later attach the nest to that container/outworld and they will move when the colony is big enough. Don't forget to offer a new test tube if the old one runs dry.

Serafine

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23421Post Serafine
Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:12 am

This was my starter setup, fully sufficient at that time.
The colony (Camponotus barbaricus, queen and 4 workers) lived in a small test tube under that red paper tent.
Image
Image
Image




This is their current setup, 9 months later (they're ~35 workers now and have about double their numbers as brood in various stages). They still live in a test tube but a larger one (30x200mm).
They have a nest attached but did not move in yet (and most likely will not do this year).
Image
Image
Image

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SamuelMamuel
Posts: 187
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm

Re: Got Workers, Now What?

Post: # 23440Post SamuelMamuel
Thu Jun 22, 2017 6:42 pm

Serafine wrote:
Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:12 am
This was my starter setup, fully sufficient at that time.
The colony (Camponotus barbaricus, queen and 4 workers) lived in a small test tube under that red paper tent.
Image
Image
Image




This is their current setup, 9 months later (they're ~35 workers now and have about double their numbers as brood in various stages). They still live in a test tube but a larger one (30x200mm).
They have a nest attached but did not move in yet (and most likely will not do this year).
Image
Image
Image
What kind of nest is that?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

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