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Do My Ants Need a New Nesting Area?


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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline dermy - Posted May 25 2015 - 6:49 AM

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Today I noticed around 90% of my Small Myrmica Colony [about 50 Workers and 7-10 queens] was out in the foraging area, their nest is getting a little dirty. Should I give them a new nest and detach the old one?



#2 Offline Ants4fun - Posted May 25 2015 - 7:19 AM

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Moisture levels? Temperature?

#3 Offline dermy - Posted May 25 2015 - 7:23 AM

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Sorry, the moisture in the nest has been going down lately, the Temperature in my room is sitting at around 23-24C [it is just dead heat too!] I'm thinking about maybe connecting a new nest and removing the old or just removing the old nest, plugging the hole for a bit, cleaning it out and then re-attaching it again, they haven't outgrown it just yet.


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#4 Offline Ants4fun - Posted May 25 2015 - 7:36 AM

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Myrmica need lots of moisture, 80% or more.

#5 Offline dermy - Posted May 25 2015 - 7:41 AM

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Yes I know they love moisture, that's why it's so easy to move them, let the old nest dry out and make the new one moist and humid, bam in a week or less they will move.



#6 Offline Lamarr - Posted May 25 2015 - 10:46 AM

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Depends on how dirty their current nest is. You should post some pictures so we can see the issue!



#7 Offline dermy - Posted May 25 2015 - 10:57 AM

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I have already done the new nesting area, boy am I glad I did, the old nest was rock dry. The Queens and Brood moved into the Out-World and the nest was abandoned. I have since re-added cotton and moistened, as well as kept the old "Cotton Nest" for a keep-sake.






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