HELP condensation in jar

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turtlemath
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2020 3:09 pm
Location: southern california

HELP condensation in jar

Post: # 67845Post turtlemath
Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:12 pm

I'm keeping a colony of Solenopsis. Geminata in a jar until my Hybrid nest Solenopsis 2.0 gets here, but there is alot of condensation/ humidity in there (prolly 90%+). Will they be ok for 3-5 more days. I'm in SoCal and my hybrid nest shipped today from salt lake city. This morning the ants were all in a ball together curled up ant not moving. I warmed them up with a heat mat and now the're ok. ten-15 have drowned in water droplets total. colony is like 1-2K ants. they are housed in a large jelly jar with some dirt in it, and little air holes in the top. I give them honey everyday. they have one to two crickets daily, and always have access to water.
Aspiring ant-keeper

I keep:
Lasius. Niger:3 queens, 50 workers
:twisted: Solenopsis. Geminata: 1 queen, 1-2K workers, 1-200 majors (including super major, sub major, etc)
Still need a name for my colonies, queen fire ant is dubbed "Karen"

AncestorX
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:12 pm
Location: W.Yorkshire, UK

Re: HELP condensation in jar

Post: # 67850Post AncestorX
Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:48 pm

Personally I would try putting some cotton in the setup if possible to try and absorb some of the humidity. Changing it when it gets damp.

Not sure if this is a viable option depending on how much space is available.

Also be aware the heat mat actually raises the air humidity, but obviously you dont want them getting chilly so it's a bit of a balancing act.

turtlemath
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2020 3:09 pm
Location: southern california

Re: HELP condensation in jar

Post: # 67861Post turtlemath
Wed Mar 04, 2020 11:22 pm

did just that, keeping the jar near a power strip so its slightly warm, however no heat mat. all seems well for now. just need to keep em like that for a week or so.
Aspiring ant-keeper

I keep:
Lasius. Niger:3 queens, 50 workers
:twisted: Solenopsis. Geminata: 1 queen, 1-2K workers, 1-200 majors (including super major, sub major, etc)
Still need a name for my colonies, queen fire ant is dubbed "Karen"

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