What next?

[DanEyres]

I have had my ant queen for 9 months now and she only has 5 workers. I dont know if im doing something wrong or she is taking her time. My first post was about, how I thought my queen was stressed and people suggested that I just leave her in a dark place and check on her monthly and I have dont just that. I have changed her test tube a few times and given her honey once or twise but she hasn't made as much progress as I’d hoped within the time I’ve had her. Any suggestions on what to do next?

Thanks, Dan

[Rhetorik]

Hi Dan,

What species are we dealing with?

[antnest8]

does she still have those workers. if she does she might want an outworld

[DanEyres]

Rhetorik, Im pretty sure she is a lasius niger queen.

antnest8, I have an out world but my last lasius niger queen I had, she had about 5 workers and when I put her in it her colony failed so I dont really want to risk it.

[antnest8]

i feel your pain my camponotus colony got up to 12 workers before it's slow decline when right before hibernation the last worker died. all that was left was the queen. i feed my queen and put her in hibernation and you can read my journal she is about to get two workers!
i would feed her if she has no workers left take her out of the out world and put her in the normal test tube set up and feed her protein. leave her alone and check on her every week and a half she will have to go through the founding stage again. hope she makes it .(also you can brood boost her if you want)