The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

Well I wasn't expecting to start a new colony till towards the end of the month but this was a peculiar situation.

I was walking along the walking path near my home and saw 2 kids playing on the side. As I got close I realised they were terrorising an ant nest.
I wasn't sure how to handle the situation as I couldn't see any adults/parents around. I approached the kids and asked "what have you found" to which they said "we're killing the ants"
I really didn't know what to do. I told them that it's pretty cruel ANYWAY, I felt it was the best thing to do and so I now have 5 workers and a queen.

Here is a quick pic



So, do I leave her in this setup, which is a test tube attached to the test tube portal and another test tube with water, until she hopefully starts laying eggs or should I just let her loose in a large fish tank terrarium that I had set up for a failed colony to start anew, will she even survive with only 5 workers??

Quick question is the nest still there? If you have the availability to gently move the soil to find some pupa it would increase her chances, begin feeding sugars and protiens as her stores are more than likely depleted. she's probably very stressed and scared so try not to move her again for awhile.

MorbidBugg wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 09, 2018 2:26 pm

Quick question is the nest still there?

I went back and tried to see what I could scavenge but it was well wrecked. I didn't even see a single sugar ant when trying to move to soil.
Are they a multiple queen species? Perhapse they have moved?
I believe I was INCREDIBLY lucky to save the queen.

I put in a prepared roach, which they got stuck into, and water. Should I put a testube of sugarwater?

good on ya,
Im sure their parents approved.
It's a learned behavior.

It could be some of the nest survived, just relocated.

Nothing has changed. They are devouring every bit of honey I give them. They don't seem to keen on meal worms or roaches but will inhale crickets.

No eggs yet.

as for your housing question i would probably keep them in the test tube for now just because you can see them and respond to problems if you find them.

im just surprised the ants didnt tell them off, these guys formic acid can hurt

JustinCredible wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 09, 2018 4:08 pm

MorbidBugg wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 09, 2018 2:26 pm

Quick question is the nest still there?

I went back and tried to see what I could scavenge but it was well wrecked. I didn't even see a single sugar ant when trying to move to soil.
Are they a multiple queen species? Perhapse they have moved?
I believe I was INCREDIBLY lucky to save the queen.

I put in a prepared roach, which they got stuck into, and water. Should I put a testube of sugarwater?

Most Camponotus are not polygynous. They will fight on contact. The workers could have relocated, though.