I have escapees! Help!

[drahydra]

I've gotten the Lasius hybrid nest, and I believe the species of my colony is a black garden ant (Lasius niger), on the smaller side. I have noticed some scouts crawling around outside the case, and can't seem to find where they're getting out! I have sealed the glass with aquarium sealant around the perimeter, three of the entrances are sealed by porous plugs, and one entrance has a simple tube setup with a valve connector leading to a test tube portal. (Which is also sealed by plugs, save for the entrance and a test tube filled with water) All of these are AntsCanada products except for the aquarium sealant, and everything seems tight.

Is there a way they're getting through? Again, the species is pretty small, only 3-4 mm. Are they squeezing through something? What should I seal first? Is it the aquarium sealant/glass? The plugs? The pipes? Help!

[AM1C39]

A few images would be very helpfull, preferably images of different angles. Maybe you should put a glass tank (or some other container) over them until further notice. How are you dealling with the escapees? Don't forget to stay calm and good luck!

[drahydra]

Yep, certainly! Here it is, lemme know if a look elsewhere is needed.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Gj8PaK9vUv44JIyrKCo4588in-2d0B71A8QouYyias/edit?usp=sharing

[AM1C39]

I can't think of where they would be getting out from... Are you sure they are the same ants and not just some other wild ones?
Also I noticed the dirt is really dry, I would suggest adding some moisture to the nest. How's the queen doing, still there right?
Nice pictures and setup btw.

[drahydra]

Yep, queen is there, in the central chamber that has a bunch of dirt piled on top. I'm being cautious with moisture levels, since I previously overwatered the setup and that resulted in some mold. I have springtails in there, just being careful.

As for the wild ones or not thing, that can't be the case since I have seen these pop up since the cold parts of spring, which is a bit too cold for wild ants. Furthermore, my colony's population seems stuck at around 12, and I theorize it's because scouts are getting out but not back in. The fact I don't see any dead ants in the nest seems to corroborate that. Should I try taping everything to be safe?

[AM1C39]

Personally, I think they are wild ants living in your house or something of the like. Try to get a photo of one of the maybe escapees so we can see if they are the same species.

[drahydra]

I haven't gotten a photo of the outside ants vs the inside ones, but I have found where they might be getting in and out from. On the left and right sides of the nest, there is a hole (presumably left there as part of the manufacturing process) that goes all the way from just underneath the glass, through to the water reservoir. This wouldn't be a problem except that the ants inside have piled a ton of dirt onto the underside of the glass, probably lifting the glass just a tiny bit, and allowing them to use the holes to get out! The fact I kept seeing ants in the reservoir was a bit suspect to me. I've plugged these holes up with more aquarium sealant. I'll keep updated if I see more stragglers after this point.

[RubyAntKeeper77]

I would not use AntsCanada’s plug because some ants are small enough to fit through them, I would just plug the extra entrances with cotton.

Unless you know they can’t fit through.

[antperson24]

I would not use AntsCanada’s plug because some ants are small enough to fit through them, I would just plug the extra entrances with cotton.

Unless you know they can’t fit through.

Upvote on escaping through the plugs. I have seen Tetramorium immigrans go right through a plug, so with some effort, I think Lasius neoniger would also be able to. I always just use cotton balls no mater what the species.