trying to help my 10 yo get started

[annetics]

Hi, my 10 year old is totally engrossed by ants and has found many queens that are currently in test tubes. Some appear to have laid eggs already. I would like to buy her someplace to move the ants to very soon. She has about 20 queens, and I am encouraging her to let some go and to keep just a few. She has about 4 large carpenter queen ants that she found in the mountains at about 8000' (2400m) in Utah. I don't really even know where to start. If anyone has time to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. I am worried about what will happen when all the eggs hatch. I want to encourage her but also want to keep the ants contained, especially carpenter ants.

[antperson24]

Hi, my 10 year old is totally engrossed by ants and has found many queens that are currently in test tubes. Some appear to have laid eggs already. I would like to buy her someplace to move the ants to very soon. She has about 20 queens, and I am encouraging her to let some go and to keep just a few. She has about 4 large carpenter queen ants that she found in the mountains at about 8000' (2400m) in Utah. I don't really even know where to start. If anyone has time to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. I am worried about what will happen when all the eggs hatch. I want to encourage her but also want to keep the ants contained, especially carpenter ants.

I'd like to try to identify them, could you send a few pictures? Also make sure you use imgur for the photo (it's just the easiest). As far as nests go, it sometimes depends on species. For example, you could leave a Tetramorium immigrans colony in a test tube up until 100+ workers, but a Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony could only stay in a test tube for up to 30 workers. Right now I would suggest buying a few of these: https://www.AntsCanada.com/shop/ac-test-tube-portal/ (you need one for each colony you plan to raise). Once your colony has 10+ workers, you attach one to use as the foraging area. After I identify them, I should be able to help you more specifically.

[annetics]

thank you so much! Here is a photo of the ant:
https://imgur.com/a/TQw9bFU

[annetics]

she has 5-6 of these queens now. There is one who was constantly picking away at the cotton ball and we had to move her into a more secure location.

[annetics]

I added another picture and a video:
https://imgur.com/a/QordtLn

[antperson24]

They are Camponotus pennsylvanicus. You said there are 4 Carpenter ants, If you want, I could look at the different species you caught too. I would recommend moving her into one of these once she has about 10 workers: https://tarheelants.com/collections/type-iii-formicaria/products/mini-hearth