Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

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antperson24
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 93157Post antperson24
Sun Jun 05, 2022 8:16 pm

AntsNW wrote:
Sun Jun 05, 2022 7:21 pm
Hi!
So if the situation is the same as how it was in the last photo I’m pretty sure they don’t need more space. That nest has plenty of space for them. Perhaps they are trying to get away from disturbances? If they are taking brood with them, then maybe the area has more moisture or is a better temperature?
I’m not sure, but I don’t think it should be a cause of concern quite yet.
Thanks! I'll keep an eye on it.
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

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antperson24
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 93987Post antperson24
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:47 pm

My colony is growing well! But I was wondering do they need more space? They have about 35 workers.

This is where they live now:https://photos.app.goo.gl/UwnSAbFmKdVtF1uQ9

This is what I would give them: https://photos.app.goo.gl/imLGAbFCHS6U7gBL8
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

SolenopsisKeeper
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 93997Post SolenopsisKeeper
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:28 am

antperson24 wrote:
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:47 pm
My colony is growing well! But I was wondering do they need more space? They have about 35 workers.

This is where they live now:https://photos.app.goo.gl/UwnSAbFmKdVtF1uQ9

This is what I would give them: https://photos.app.goo.gl/imLGAbFCHS6U7gBL8
For Camponotus, 30 workers is generally when you move them out of a mini-hearth so they have plenty of room. Also, with those nest I am pretty sure they can connect due to magnets in the side, but I am not sure. You could leave both connected, or just have one. I recommend the bigger one until they need more room, then add on the little one again.
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antperson24
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94008Post antperson24
Tue Jun 28, 2022 7:00 am

Thanks I'll do that. :)
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

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antperson24
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94055Post antperson24
Tue Jun 28, 2022 8:20 pm

SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:28 am
antperson24 wrote:
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:47 pm
My colony is growing well! But I was wondering do they need more space? They have about 35 workers.

This is where they live now:https://photos.app.goo.gl/UwnSAbFmKdVtF1uQ9

This is what I would give them: https://photos.app.goo.gl/imLGAbFCHS6U7gBL8
For Camponotus, 30 workers is generally when you move them out of a mini-hearth so they have plenty of room. Also, with those nest I am pretty sure they can connect due to magnets in the side, but I am not sure. You could leave both connected, or just have one. I recommend the bigger one until they need more room, then add on the little one again.
I tried moving them but they WOULD NOT MOVE, after a couple of ants checked out the new nest they would not even go back in to it. I don't wan't to keep disturbing them by shining a light on them, so would it work to just let them stay in their old nest until they can live in both?
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

SolenopsisKeeper
Posts: 2402
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
Location: United States, Florida

Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94058Post SolenopsisKeeper
Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:38 pm

antperson24 wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 8:20 pm
SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:28 am
antperson24 wrote:
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:47 pm
My colony is growing well! But I was wondering do they need more space? They have about 35 workers.

This is where they live now:https://photos.app.goo.gl/UwnSAbFmKdVtF1uQ9

This is what I would give them: https://photos.app.goo.gl/imLGAbFCHS6U7gBL8
For Camponotus, 30 workers is generally when you move them out of a mini-hearth so they have plenty of room. Also, with those nest I am pretty sure they can connect due to magnets in the side, but I am not sure. You could leave both connected, or just have one. I recommend the bigger one until they need more room, then add on the little one again.
I tried moving them but they WOULD NOT MOVE, after a couple of ants checked out the new nest they would not even go back in to it. I don't wan't to keep disturbing them by shining a light on them, so would it work to just let them stay in their old nest until they can live in both?
Camponotus literally do not care for light. All it does is stress them, you can try using an empty nest mate to increase ventilation in their current nest, so they feel exposed. Also try heating the nest you want them to move into, this has worked for me.
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antperson24
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94079Post antperson24
Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:08 pm

SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:38 pm
antperson24 wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 8:20 pm
SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:28 am


For Camponotus, 30 workers is generally when you move them out of a mini-hearth so they have plenty of room. Also, with those nest I am pretty sure they can connect due to magnets in the side, but I am not sure. You could leave both connected, or just have one. I recommend the bigger one until they need more room, then add on the little one again.
I tried moving them but they WOULD NOT MOVE, after a couple of ants checked out the new nest they would not even go back in to it. I don't wan't to keep disturbing them by shining a light on them, so would it work to just let them stay in their old nest until they can live in both?
Camponotus literally do not care for light. All it does is stress them, you can try using an empty nest mate to increase ventilation in their current nest, so they feel exposed. Also try heating the nest you want them to move into, this has worked for me.
Thanks, it worked SO WELL. Within 3 hours all the brood was in the new nest, I dumped in the last couple of ants and the queen and now their all settled in!
But I was wondering if there is any thing I can use or do so that the glass does not fog up? (Also it doesn't work to unplug it before I look at them because when it fogs up it gets the rest of the nest wet.)
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

SolenopsisKeeper
Posts: 2402
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
Location: United States, Florida

Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94127Post SolenopsisKeeper
Fri Jul 01, 2022 1:19 pm

antperson24 wrote:
Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:08 pm
SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:38 pm
antperson24 wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 8:20 pm


I tried moving them but they WOULD NOT MOVE, after a couple of ants checked out the new nest they would not even go back in to it. I don't wan't to keep disturbing them by shining a light on them, so would it work to just let them stay in their old nest until they can live in both?
Camponotus literally do not care for light. All it does is stress them, you can try using an empty nest mate to increase ventilation in their current nest, so they feel exposed. Also try heating the nest you want them to move into, this has worked for me.
Thanks, it worked SO WELL. Within 3 hours all the brood was in the new nest, I dumped in the last couple of ants and the queen and now their all settled in!
But I was wondering if there is any thing I can use or do so that the glass does not fog up? (Also it doesn't work to unplug it before I look at them because when it fogs up it gets the rest of the nest wet.)
Not too sure about that. You can try some loose sand. My Formica Fusca have no fog on the glass, but they used sand to absorb it. What I do is I use very little water in the water tower at a time so that it gets absorbed in the walls
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antperson24
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Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94141Post antperson24
Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:24 pm

SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 1:19 pm
antperson24 wrote:
Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:08 pm
SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:38 pm


Camponotus literally do not care for light. All it does is stress them, you can try using an empty nest mate to increase ventilation in their current nest, so they feel exposed. Also try heating the nest you want them to move into, this has worked for me.
Thanks, it worked SO WELL. Within 3 hours all the brood was in the new nest, I dumped in the last couple of ants and the queen and now their all settled in!
But I was wondering if there is any thing I can use or do so that the glass does not fog up? (Also it doesn't work to unplug it before I look at them because when it fogs up it gets the rest of the nest wet.)
Not too sure about that. You can try some loose sand. My Formica Fusca have no fog on the glass, but they used sand to absorb it. What I do is I use very little water in the water tower at a time so that it gets absorbed in the walls
Ok. I'll give that a try.
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

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antperson24
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: North East Iowa

Re: Questions about my small Camponotus novaeboracensis colony.

Post: # 94950Post antperson24
Fri Jul 22, 2022 8:56 pm

Hi! My colony is growing well, and now have at least 40 workers! They seem to be consuming more food, that made me wonder how often should I feed them?
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

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