My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

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ColinKim
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:37 am
Location: Singapore One Amber

My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84598Post ColinKim
Sun Oct 31, 2021 8:08 am

(My first post)
Hello, I’m Colin and I have recently got into keeping ants in 2020. I have this colony (and is the main reason why I’m posting this), and last year its worker size went to 20. But during this year, it decreased significantly to 6. Anyone have thoughts about this?

Some details:
Found 2020
Color: Orange, Black
Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mt9qTvYcVe6ClMZt5Mp3L498sv3qaWCY/view?usp=drivesdk

-Time, ColinKim

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AM1C39
Posts: 1012
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:17 pm
Location: Canada, ON
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Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84616Post AM1C39
Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:07 am

What and have you been feeding them?
When abouts did the first worker hatch?
Did you hibernate them?
How often do you feed them?
Do they have mold in their water test tube or in their nest?
Can you see mites on them?
Answer these questions and then we can help you.
My current colonies:
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]

ColinKim
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:37 am
Location: Singapore One Amber

Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84635Post ColinKim
Tue Nov 02, 2021 4:57 am

oh, their species i dont know (sorry)
im in singapore so theres no hibernation
i feed them once every 3 days
no mites.
they dont have mold,
the first workers hatched about 1 year ago
i have been feeding roasted mealworms without oil, honeywater and apples.
btw, they live in a mini nest.

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AM1C39
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Location: Canada, ON
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Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84637Post AM1C39
Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:34 am

Well it would seem they are dying from old age as they hatched over a year ago, the colony will survive this set back as they still have 6 workers witch is enought.
My current colonies:
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]

AntsLuxembourg
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Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:17 am
Location: Luxembourg
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Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84639Post AntsLuxembourg
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:33 am

I got some ideas and possible reasons. First and most likely in my mind is, it could be that their setup is just too big for them. It's usually best to keep them in a testtube until they really start to outgrow it.
Second and less likely. They are a gamergate colony and the current Alpha was overthrown and now they cannot produce more members. Those colonies usually are hard to keep due to the fact that they need regularly new males to mate.
Third, the queen might have discarded all the ****. It rarely happens but it can happen. Sadly I am not sure how often this actally occures.
Fourth, try and get some live mealworms and then cut them in half. They might need fresh protein and roasted mealworms probably don't have a lot of protein.

Btw it would be great if you could post pictured in the Ants Identification Center section on this forum. It will surely help you to find and get more and better help for this issue.
Doing some proper research is the best way to start an antcolony.

Need help or want to help? https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18153#p70566

Currently not keeping any ants anymore.

ColinKim
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:37 am
Location: Singapore One Amber

Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84737Post ColinKim
Thu Nov 04, 2021 7:05 am

AntsLuxembourg wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:33 am
thank you! (and to the other guy), but i have another question (sorry) but are there any way to put them back in a test tube? or is it too late?

AntsLuxembourg
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Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84739Post AntsLuxembourg
Thu Nov 04, 2021 7:45 am

Try to catch them and throw them into a testtube. If you have an opening you can try to shake them into the testtube which would be the fastest way. If you can manage, try to put the workers and eggs, etc. with the queen or have the queen in the first testtube and then the workers in a second to not stress the queen too much. Then at the end you can add the queen to the other testtube again.

It will be a forced move but that is the fastest way I know. I do it more regularly and improve my technique each time. Lately I started to throw them in a small plastic bowl which an anti escape barrier. Then I chuck them in there and have them tumble into the testtube.

Maybe I should make a video of that at a later point.
Doing some proper research is the best way to start an antcolony.

Need help or want to help? https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18153#p70566

Currently not keeping any ants anymore.

ColinKim
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:37 am
Location: Singapore One Amber

Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84758Post ColinKim
Fri Nov 05, 2021 5:02 am

Sorry, I didn’t quite understand that (because I’m a dumbass) Yes, I would need a video. Sorry for the inconvenience. I’m afraid that my workers won’t be near the queen and I would only catch the queen.

AntsLuxembourg
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Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:17 am
Location: Luxembourg
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Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84760Post AntsLuxembourg
Fri Nov 05, 2021 5:33 am

Well for a video it will have to wait then since I don't have a testtube that needs to be cleaned any time soon.
Doing some proper research is the best way to start an antcolony.

Need help or want to help? https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18153#p70566

Currently not keeping any ants anymore.

ColinKim
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:37 am
Location: Singapore One Amber

Re: My 20 Worker Colony Went Down

Post: # 84811Post ColinKim
Sun Nov 07, 2021 1:58 am

Thank you anyways!

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