Ants Not Moving

Discussions about the care and keeping of ants

Moderator: ooper01

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

Ants Not Moving

Post: # 31621Post SamuelMamuel
Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:15 am

I have had my ants in their test tube in an outworld for a week now. The test tube is hooked directly up to the nest but the ants won't move. There are around 20 workers. Any help?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

YSTheAnt
Posts: 145
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:53 am
Location: Bay Area

Re: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 31622Post YSTheAnt
Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:22 am

Put a lamp over the old one and make the one you want them to move into dark.
Check out my blog: bayareaants.blogspot.com
Keeper of:
Camponotus Modoc(6 workers)
Pheidole Spp (2 queens, about 10 workers)
Possibly parasitic Formica (further ID required)
Novomessor Cockerelli (10+ workers)

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

Re: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 31628Post Batspiderfish
Wed Sep 20, 2017 1:34 pm

For the time being, you should just leave them there. They don't want the new nest yet.
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: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 31629Post SamuelMamuel
Wed Sep 20, 2017 1:37 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Wed Sep 20, 2017 1:34 pm
For the time being, you should just leave them there. They don't want the new nest yet.
How long should I wait before I get worried about food and such? They don't seem to be very curious about the new nest and haven't really explored at all
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

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

Re: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 31631Post Batspiderfish
Wed Sep 20, 2017 2:24 pm

They need a foraging space regardless of whether they are in the test tube or a formicarium.
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: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 32131Post SamuelMamuel
Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:43 pm

I have been trying to get my ants to switch test tubes for a month now. Their cotton is turning grey from mold. I have used bright light and even removed the cotton at the entrance to the tube so that the only place they can really go is to the new tube, but they won't moce. Mold will take over soon. Help me!
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

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

Re: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 32133Post Batspiderfish
Sun Oct 08, 2017 12:07 am

Grey cotton is normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
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: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 32148Post SamuelMamuel
Sun Oct 08, 2017 11:40 am

Batspiderfish wrote:
Sun Oct 08, 2017 12:07 am
Grey cotton is normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
Even if it is almost black?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

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

Re: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 32152Post Batspiderfish
Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:30 pm

Even if it's black.the fact that they aren't moving out at all speaks for their relative comfort.
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: Ants Not Moving

Post: # 32156Post SamuelMamuel
Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:01 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:30 pm
Even if it's black.the fact that they aren't moving out at all speaks for their relative comfort.
So I should cover them up again and leave them be?
Colonies:
--Tetramorium Caespitum
--Camponotus pennsylvanicus
--Formica Sp.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests