Camponotus Nicobarensis - pair of queens how often to feed

[Mvegt86]

I've managed to get the cricket leg out of the nest without hurting any of the ants, really glad!

[antperson24]

I've bought the camponotus hybrid nest 2.0.
Really like it so far. Not yet started with the outside world that came with it in the full pack.

But, refer to images below, I've got a new problem again. As mold was my biggest problem I thought giving them a very large cricket leg which they couldn't move/pull into the nest, but, well, they were stronger than I'd expected.
What do I do? Colony still small, so could try to remove the cricket leg, but maybe others have better solutions?

Underneath the nest is cotton with water, a cricket leg combined with high humidity will realize mold fast I'm afraid. And what are solutions to make sure this doesn't happen again?

Normally I start with really small nest, so I asked AntsCanada how it worked with this nest, they said it's fine, but I'm still really afraid that if they will create a waste location within the nest, unabling me to clean/remove...

Hope someone can help out:)

Regards, Martin


https://imgur.com/a/epejtc8

I am going to have to disagree with AC here, the nest seems pretty large for this small colony. If you feed them things that they can not pull back to their nest it should be ok. But keep in mind that Camponotus is a very strong genus.

[Mvegt86]

Colony growing bigger and bigger. I agree, the nest is far too big, AC should've told me that, anyway, have to deal with it. Hopefully I can grow the colony fast.

Lot of eggs and larvae!

New photos:

https://imgur.com/a/0PsNXpr

[Mvegt86]

I really thought camponotus Nicobarensis could not sting, but, seeing them attacking a prey I'm not so sure anymore. It really looks like they bite and then sort of make a sting movement. Refer to the (not so great) image.

https://imgur.com/a/Bw41vCc

Any ideas?

Also, Nicobarensis could get majors right? None so far though, but colony size only 25 workers.

[Antloverhuman]

They don't sting. They put formic acid on their pretty like that

[Mvegt86]

Hi all!

New update, 30+ workers now and fully linked the arena as well.

https://imgur.com/NY6hGPE

Let me know what you think!

[antperson24]

Hi all!

New update, 30+ workers now and fully linked the arena as well.

https://imgur.com/NY6hGPE

Let me know what you think!

Looks pretty nice! Hopefully they grow in to it well.