18 replies to this topic

[Acutus]

Hey All,

 

Well I was moving a picnic table in camp today and there was a stupid rock in my way (have to drag the table by myself) so I went to move the rock and there was a castaneus colony underneath! The Queen was right on top!

 

 

I only had 1 test tube in my pocket so I quickly caught her and a worker, then ran to get my truck with my ant gear. I caught all visible ants and brood. Probably 30-45 workers and a little brood.

 

So here' where I need help /advice.

 

I had no setups to spare. In fact I just ordered some more AC stuff earlier today. So I had a small 5"x5"x5" acrylic box. I put powder/alcohol mix around the rim. I took a test tube and made a small water reservoir, wrapped the test tube in paper to block light and placed this in the box.

 

 

I then placed all the workers in the box and then allowed the queen to enter the test tube.

This is how it looks right now.

 

 

So now that I can relax a bit. What should be my next move? 

I know there is more to the colony cause there are holes in the ground. I put the rock back in place, but should I check to try and collect more workers?

Do I have enough?

Any other advice welcomed.

 

[TennesseeAnts]

Always try to get more.

[FeedTheAnts]

You should definetely go back and collect workers as many times as possible. Once you've caught as many as you can by revisiting the site, then you can dig up any remainders. As for what to do with the colony, I'd let them move into the tube. You can either put them in a natural nest later on or put them in your AC nest once it arrives.

[Acutus]

Always try to get more.

 

You should definetely go back and collect workers as many times as possible. Once you've caught as many as you can by revisiting the site, then you can dig up any remainders. As for what to do with the colony, I'd let them move into the tube. You can either put them in a natural nest later on or put them in your AC nest once it arrives.

 

 

Always try to get more.

 

Ok I just went back and got about 10 more workers. I won't check again until tomorrow.!

 

Thanks to both of you for the advice!!

[Acutus]

Just wanna throw this out there too. I have a queenless colony of these ants as well. Is there a way to introduce them all?

[TennesseeAnts]

If the colony scent has dissipated. Try to make introduce a single worker first.

[Acutus]

If the colony scent has dissipated. Try to make introduce a single worker first.

 

I can try this. They've been in captivity since 4/18 (the Queen-less colony)

[Rstheant]

You should add some plaster or grout on the bottom of that container.

[Acutus]

You should add some plaster or grout on the bottom of that container.

 

yeah that's a good idea. this was all spur of the moment. I'll probably get another container and plaster the bottom and mold the tube in.

[TennesseeAnts]

If the colony scent has dissipated. Try to make introduce a single worker first.

 
I can try this. They've been in captivity since 4/18 (the Queen-less colony)

Introduce a single worker. If they get along, you can try to introduce the rest of the colony.

[Acutus]

 

 

If the colony scent has dissipated. Try to make introduce a single worker first.

 
I can try this. They've been in captivity since 4/18 (the Queen-less colony)

Introduce a single worker. If they get along, you can try to introduce the rest of the colony.

 

 

Yeah well that didn't go to well! AT ALL! feel bad for the poor girl.

 

 

On another note I caught another dozen workers and added them to the mix so I think we gotta be up to like 50-60.

[TennesseeAnts]

Oh no. Maybe the scent needs to dissipate more.

[Acutus]

How long does it take? The Queen-less colony has been captive since 4/18.

 

I have a couple ideas based on what we do with Honey Bees. I could spray them all with sugar water and put them together and by the time they clean each other off they all smell the same.

OR.... I put the queen in a tube with a couple workers to care for her. then connect both colonies via a T connector modified with screen so none of the 3 paths can be passed. I would hope the smell of the queen would travel to the two colonies and then they could be introduced. (Does all that makes sense?)

[TennesseeAnts]

Wait 2 weeks.

[ponerinecat]

Just wanna throw this out there too. I have a queenless colony of these ants as well. Is there a way to introduce them all?

Maybe. chill and wash with wet brush, then slowly introduce, starting with workers.

[Mdrogun]

Oh no. Maybe the scent needs to dissipate more.

The scent of the colony never "dissipates." It is always there. What you are referring to is how over time the colony scent changes.

 

I have heard of people introducing minor workers of Camponotus pennsylvanicus to newly collected queens after the workers had been isolated for some time. I would theorize this is some response to "losing" their queen.

 

Adding workers to a colony is not something that should be recommended unless that is your last option. Even then, it's not a great idea. You're asking for fighting.

[ANTdrew]

I agree. I would only advise introducing the queenless brood you have. Looking ahead, I think these would do best in a THA set up or in a terrarium. In any case, I've noticed this species doesn't do a whole lot. They are like that proverbial pretty girlfriend that doesn't do much for you, . We'll have to compare notes.

[TennesseeAnts]

Oh no. Maybe the scent needs to dissipate more.

The scent of the colony never "dissipates." It is always there. What you are referring to is how over time the colony scent changes.
 
I have heard of people introducing minor workers of Camponotus pennsylvanicus to newly collected queens after the workers had been isolated for some time. I would theorize this is some response to "losing" their queen.
 
Adding workers to a colony is not something that should be recommended unless that is your last option. Even then, it's not a great idea. You're asking for fighting.

I was referring to the queen's scent. I don't know why I was calling it a colony scent.

[Acutus]

 

Oh no. Maybe the scent needs to dissipate more.

The scent of the colony never "dissipates." It is always there. What you are referring to is how over time the colony scent changes.

 

I have heard of people introducing minor workers of Camponotus pennsylvanicus to newly collected queens after the workers had been isolated for some time. I would theorize this is some response to "losing" their queen.

 

Adding workers to a colony is not something that should be recommended unless that is your last option. Even then, it's not a great idea. You're asking for fighting.

 

 

The more I think about it the more I think you are correct. There's too much chance of losing and that out weighs the possible gains I think. 

 

I collected 5 more workers today that's all that was there. There has to be 50-75 workers I think. I'll try to get a better count but I'm trying to allow the colony to settle down. There's also some brood.

They are eating a little they've taken honey and  some meal worm.

Time will tell!