The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

I caught what I though was a queen in the fall. Today is June first. I have had to change her test tube several times because the water ran dry. I can’t believe she is still alive after not eating for 7 months. I’m starting to get nervous though. I don’t think she is going to have enough stores, I don’t know if she is going to lay eggs, and I know it’s only a matter of time before I have to change her test tube again.

.... What species is she?

I think she is just an ordinary garden ant.

Ok so after doing some reading this is what I did. I covered her tube in paper and I’m not going to check on her for awhile. She should have enough water to last. I keep her in a hallway closet because it stays cooler in the winter and I thought she would hibernate and it stays warmer in the summer because there is no air conditioner. I’m thinking she didn’t lay because I check on her too often and we do open that closet door from time to time. I’m convinced I stressed her over the winter and spring having to keep changing her tube when she ran out of water. I’m still mind blown that she is alive. I found her in September or October of 2018. None of the ants I caught in the fall of 2017 made past a few weeks. I’m worried and confused. I think I want to try and find a syringe with a long needle so i can add water to the tube.

She's probably not fertile. Either because she didn't mate or for some other reason.

Probably definitely infertile. After 7 months she would've layed at least 1 egg (And if she's been stressed out to not laying eggs, she would've died by now). Also how much water do you put in those test tubes? Confused on why it keeps running out.

Well the last 5 out of 7 months were winter. Ants hibernate in the winter. Also if she hasn’t eaten for 7 months than feed her, especially if you didn’t allow her to go into diapause during her hibernation. That’s pretty obvious I think.

I’m having the same issue with a Crematogaster alate. Caught her last August and she’s still alive, but no eggs. Sounds like we’re in the same boat here. I’ve reached the point of considering releasing her, because keeping her feels pointless and worrying over her mysterious continued health is just giving me anxiety.

I'm going on 1year with a queen and no eggs. I don't know what to do .if I let her go she will just die.

*** SPAM *** wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 05, 2019 6:53 pm

Probably definitely infertile. After 7 months she would've layed at least 1 egg (And if she's been stressed out to not laying eggs, she would've died by now). Also how much water do you put in those test tubes? Confused on why it keeps running out.

I’m guessing that I can probably get between 7-10 ml of water plus the water in the cotton in each of my test tubes.

So should I give up on her?

Is there something else I should try?