Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
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Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
So I've had a carpenter ant queen in a test tube set up since late June, and everything's been going great until about a few weeks ago when I moved them into a larger terrarium. They still live inside the test tube, the only difference is that they now have the option to roam about. Unfortunately I've noticed that they don't leave the test tube to drink the syrup I leave out for them every Wednesday, and they've blocked the entrance with soil, so now I cant drop any food inside the test tube without spooking the queen. I'm afraid they've stagnated because I haven't noticed any new workers and the only brood they have are eggs and larva. What should I do, if anything?
Re: Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
It maybe too large for them or you didn't cover up the test tube.
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Re: Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
They are probably preparing for hibernation (if you live in a tempered area). They will not let themselves starve and maybe start giving them some other foods also.
My current colonies:
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
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-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]
Re: Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
Sounds like hibernation to me. Is there perhaps anything else you think could have caused this?
Re: Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
I don't think so, I guess it just seems a little early to me for them to start hibernating because I still see ants around the house. Do carpenter ants start hibernation earlier than tetramorium? Not to mention it feels like they really haven't grown much or at all since the initial workers hatched.
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Re: Carpenter ant colony stopped growing
Maybe look for mites that could be in the test tube or try giving the some drops of honey. Also, not that the lockdown is easing, you can buy jelly cups in abundance.
keeping:
all my queens died
got a sugar ant colony started
all my queens died
got a sugar ant colony started
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