Queens that stop laying eggs

[ooper01]

I've had a few Pogonomyrmex queens that have followed this pattern:

1. Placed in test tube setup and laid a clutch of eggs.
2. 3-5 workers eventually emerge.
3. Hibernation.
4. All workers die off at some point prior to coming out of hibernation.
5. Bring queen out of hibernation
6. Queen never lays any more eggs.

I have provided a variety of food and heat. Anything else I should try? Is it normal for this to happen with some queens?

[MadVampy]

If you have a few workers of the same species you may try putting them in with her and see if they make her want to lay eggs. I had two queens that wouldn't lay at all, then I had a queen die off in another test tube so I tried putting one of them in with the 10 workers and they accepted her and she started laying egg right away.

[ooper01]

Will try that next time. Thanks!

[jonathan21700]

Do you keep them in the dark and how often do you look at them?

[ooper01]

They sit on top of a desk with a sleeve covering the test tube, however, the test tube is connected to a Test Tube Portal which would allow some light to enter at the entrance. I probably check them once a week. I am guessing by your questions that you would suggest I place them completely in the dark and leave them alone for several weeks right

[Mdrogun]

They sit on top of a desk with a sleeve covering the test tube, however, the test tube is connected to a Test Tube Portal which would allow some light to enter at the entrance. I probably check them once a week. I am guessing by your questions that you would suggest I place them completely in the dark and leave them alone for several weeks right

Is it possible that you have any vibrations that could be disturbing these queens? I find that even yelling makes vibrations and can upset Pogonomyrmex. I keep Pogonomyrmex californicus and they hate vibrations even in the slightest amount.

[ooper01]

Is it possible that you have any vibrations that could be disturbing these queens? I find that even yelling makes vibrations and can upset Pogonomyrmex. I keep Pogonomyrmex californicus and they hate vibrations even in the slightest amount.

Definitely lots of vibration potential around my house. Lots of kids, yelling, running, etc. With my next batch of Pogo queens this fall, I may try keeping them somewhere else. Thanks!

[Mdrogun]

Is it possible that you have any vibrations that could be disturbing these queens? I find that even yelling makes vibrations and can upset Pogonomyrmex. I keep Pogonomyrmex californicus and they hate vibrations even in the slightest amount.

Definitely lots of vibration potential around my house. Lots of kids, yelling, running, etc. With my next batch of Pogo queens this fall, I may try keeping them somewhere else. Thanks!

No problem. I have watched pretty much all of your videos and I love the dirt formicarium you have for your Pogonomyrmex occidentalis colony.

[ooper01]

No problem. I have watched pretty much all of your videos and I love the dirt formicarium you have for your Pogonomyrmex occidentalis colony.

Oh good. Glad you like it. I have another larger formicarium just about ready to give to them. I think they are outgrowing their current space as I see lots of ants just "resting" in the outworld. They probably need a larger and cleaner space to inhabit.