trying to help my 10 yo get started
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trying to help my 10 yo get started
Hi, my 10 year old is totally engrossed by ants and has found many queens that are currently in test tubes. Some appear to have laid eggs already. I would like to buy her someplace to move the ants to very soon. She has about 20 queens, and I am encouraging her to let some go and to keep just a few. She has about 4 large carpenter queen ants that she found in the mountains at about 8000' (2400m) in Utah. I don't really even know where to start. If anyone has time to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. I am worried about what will happen when all the eggs hatch. I want to encourage her but also want to keep the ants contained, especially carpenter ants.
- antperson24
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:01 pm
- Location: North East Iowa
Re: trying to help my 10 yo get started
I'd like to try to identify them, could you send a few pictures? Also make sure you use imgur for the photo (it's just the easiest). As far as nests go, it sometimes depends on species. For example, you could leave a Tetramorium immigrans colony in a test tube up until 100+ workers, but a Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony could only stay in a test tube for up to 30 workers. Right now I would suggest buying a few of these: https://www.AntsCanada.com/shop/ac-test-tube-portal/ (you need one for each colony you plan to raise). Once your colony has 10+ workers, you attach one to use as the foraging area. After I identify them, I should be able to help you more specifically.annetics wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 1:13 amHi, my 10 year old is totally engrossed by ants and has found many queens that are currently in test tubes. Some appear to have laid eggs already. I would like to buy her someplace to move the ants to very soon. She has about 20 queens, and I am encouraging her to let some go and to keep just a few. She has about 4 large carpenter queen ants that she found in the mountains at about 8000' (2400m) in Utah. I don't really even know where to start. If anyone has time to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. I am worried about what will happen when all the eggs hatch. I want to encourage her but also want to keep the ants contained, especially carpenter ants.
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
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
Re: trying to help my 10 yo get started
thank you so much! Here is a photo of the ant:
https://imgur.com/a/TQw9bFU
https://imgur.com/a/TQw9bFU
Re: trying to help my 10 yo get started
she has 5-6 of these queens now. There is one who was constantly picking away at the cotton ball and we had to move her into a more secure location.
Re: trying to help my 10 yo get started
I added another picture and a video:
https://imgur.com/a/QordtLn
https://imgur.com/a/QordtLn
- antperson24
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:01 pm
- Location: North East Iowa
Re: trying to help my 10 yo get started
They are Camponotus pennsylvanicus. You said there are 4 Carpenter ants, If you want, I could look at the different species you caught too. I would recommend moving her into one of these once she has about 10 workers: https://tarheelants.com/collections/type-iii-formicaria/products/mini-hearth
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
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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