My Camponotus Ocreatus test tube colonys workers keep dying

Discussions about the care and keeping of ants

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NolanGiesbrecht
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:34 pm
Location: California

My Camponotus Ocreatus test tube colonys workers keep dying

Post: # 98257Post NolanGiesbrecht
Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:39 pm

They just die 1 at a time for no reason. I had 5 i only have 3. I dont know what to do

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

Re: My Camponotus Ocreatus test tube colonys workers keep dying

Post: # 98258Post antperson24
Sat Mar 18, 2023 7:09 am

NolanGiesbrecht wrote:
Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:39 pm
They just die 1 at a time for no reason. I had 5 i only have 3. I dont know what to do
How old is the colony? Are you giving them a sufficient sugar source? Did you buy them online? My guess would be that the workers are dying of old age. As long as the queen is laying eggs it should be ok.
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

NolanGiesbrecht
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:34 pm
Location: California

Re: My Camponotus Ocreatus test tube colonys workers keep dying

Post: # 98265Post NolanGiesbrecht
Sat Mar 18, 2023 7:46 pm

I got them last October. I've been giving them honey but recently switched to maple syrup. I thought maybe the honey was killing them. I got them from an AntsCanada seller about 2-3 hours away.

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

Re: My Camponotus Ocreatus test tube colonys workers keep dying

Post: # 98270Post antperson24
Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:02 am

NolanGiesbrecht wrote:
Sat Mar 18, 2023 7:46 pm
I got them last October. I've been giving them honey but recently switched to maple syrup. I thought maybe the honey was killing them. I got them from an AntsCanada seller about 2-3 hours away.
If the bees collect nectar from plants with pesticides on them it the honey could kill the ants. However, I think it more likely that they are dying of old age. Make sure you give them protein (you could use cooked chicken) so that the queen can lay more eggs.
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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