Got Workers, Now What?
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- SamuelMamuel
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm
Got Workers, Now What?
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.
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
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.
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
Yea your gonna need to wait until it has about 15-20 workers to move them into a formicarium
- SamuelMamuel
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
Even with the segmented vertical omni nest?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
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.
- SamuelMamuel
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
What do you mean by move safely?Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:19 amIt's about the colony's ability to move safely, not the size of the nest.
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
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.
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
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.
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).
The colony (Camponotus barbaricus, queen and 4 workers) lived in a small test tube under that red paper tent.
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).
- SamuelMamuel
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:24 pm
Re: Got Workers, Now What?
What kind of nest is that?Serafine wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:12 amThis 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.
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).
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.
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