How to move ants from one house to another

[Cal113]

Hey guys,

I am moving soon and need to move my ants with me. I was hoping you guys had some tips for moving ants during a longish roadtrip and how to keep them alive and well! Obviously padding but is there a certain way to do it and is there anything else that needs to be done to make them roadtrip ready?

[AntsLuxembourg]

It depend on the setup. If it's a big glass tank, well then good luck. I hope you got a lid and you are ready to drive slow enough during extra curvey parts of the trip. First to avoid the glass from breaking and second from having the ants flight out if you hit dem road bumpers too hard. They be like, weeeeeeeeee can fly. xD

Anyway, if it's only testtubes, then make sure they don't role around too much. Tape the testtubes to a piece of cardboard so it cannot role around too much. Next add some cushioning. If the setup is bigger, make it as small as possible. Maybe remove all the tubing and empty the tubing from remaining workers so they can gather with their kind. On arrival, just simple connect what needs to be connected and don't stress them too much. Give them some honey and prekilled insects if they are pickey if dead or alive food.
Just leave them in peace for about 3 days if possible so they can relax and chill.

[Cal113]

Alright sweet thanks for the tips!! If anyone else has any feel free to add them!

[AntsLuxembourg]

Yesterday I was rather tired so I just wanted to add some extra.

Yeah basically drive slow. Not too slow on straight roads of course but avoid harsh de- and acceleration / changes in speed. If you can see the curve, already start to slow down in advance. If there is a steep hill or part of the road be extra careful to not have the stuff fall over. Think in advance where possible.

[RuinedDrone]

I would say this is like simular to moving fish.

step one remove from the habitate any thing that might slide or move such as branches or stones. you dont want them crushing the ants.

then just take it carefully, padd the enclusre and make sure it can't roll / move about.

I jsut moved house with 2 fish tansk and an any colony all with out issue. Just made sure everything in the tanks was secure, secured them in the car and drove slowly. I also did the jounry one (assuming its not to far) to check out if any roads had bumps / pot holes and if so found alternitive route.

But it should be fine, (oh and keep them in the dark, ants that will be stressed with the noise and movment will be happier if they are in the dark)

[AntsLuxembourg]

yesterday I got another good idea for the way on how to drive. Drive as if you had a bus full of very friendly, nice, old and frail seniors / people. Might help you to get a good mindset while driving.
And yes. Keep the colony in the dark for the following 3 days.

[Cal113]

Ye thanks for the help guys! Hopefully it'll all go well and I'll still have healthy, happy ants at the end.

[AntsLuxembourg]

Looking forward to read how it went.

[Cal113]

It will be a little bit before you hear back, not moving until sometime August. Just trying to get stuff planned out and sorted to help it go smoothly when it happens, I'll definitely try to remember to leave an update then though!

[AntsLuxembourg]

No problem. Colonies can take years to grow to a nice size.