57 replies to this topic

[antmaniac]

Protein will boost the growth rate, but always have the honey available. I found that my Pheidole still drink honey often. Even though they don't go crazy like before anymore when I first fed them honey. They only go crazy with the insects or seeds nowadays.

[Kunphushun]

what's the best way to offer the honey?  I had to save two ants from the drop last night because they got stuck in it.  

[antmaniac]

I put honey in Yakult straws.

[Kunphushun]

Well I have no idea what a Yakult is, lol. But I bet I could use a coffee stirrer (tiny straw). Thanks for the idea. 

[antmaniac]

Well I have no idea what a Yakult is, lol. But I bet I could use a coffee stirrer (tiny straw). Thanks for the idea. 

It is a fermented milk drink, but any tiny straw would work. 

[Etherwulf]

I would advise against honey as it is often creates a mess and can cause the unfortunate deaths of smaller ants such as yours. Sugar water is a far better option in this regard and should be offered in tiny drops using a pipette. 

 

Otherwise, you may choose to use gel-based synthetic foods although I would suggest that you wait for your colony to approach a considerable size in order to prevent wastage and for optimum results. You can purchase pre-made ones such as Blue 100 from Byformica (drtmiller) or mix your own. I have written a guide while back which may be useful to you (http://www.formicult...ch-threadguide/).

 

Blue 100 might not be ideal in this case as Solenopsis invicta was found to be unsuitable with the diet it was based on. However, I have had positive results with Solenopsis geminata with my own rendition so perhaps you might like to try it. 

 

Finally, Solenopsis invicta can grow very quickly if large quantities of protein are offered. Since you mentioned that this was to be observed by children, it might be wise to limit the colony to a manageable size to facilitate easier handling. Fluon would be excellent to prevent accidents and headaches so it might be worth investing in.

Edited by Etherwulf, December 16 2015 - 8:13 AM.

[Mdrogun]

I use sunburst and liquid feeders ,both by byformica, my ants seem to love the sunburst and the feeders. They are not a big fan of blue 100.  I would recommend the sunburst and liquid feeders if you are opposed to honey

 

Here are the links:

http://www.amazon.co...urst ant nectar

 

http://www.amazon.co...urst ant nectar

 

 

 

Also get the smallest size of sunburst first. It will last you a long time. If your colony gets really big order larger sizes later.

Edited by Mdrogun, December 16 2015 - 6:34 PM.

[Kunphushun]

Awesome guys.  Very informative!  I really really need to get the formicarium built, but working 50+ hours a week right now is preventing that.  Well, that and building my Mustang, lol. 

 

I'm up to over a dozen nanitic workers, but some of the new larvae looks to be physically larger than the nanitics were at the same life stage.  What ants would this be, foragers maybe? 

[Mdrogun]

Do you have a picture? 

 

There are a couple possibilities:

 

1. Could be a male alate (Highly unlikely but it has happend before)

2. Could be a Major worker

3. Could be a regular sized worker(Most Likely)

 

It would be funny if your colony ended up looking like this 

Edited by Mdrogun, December 17 2015 - 4:08 PM.

[Kunphushun]

Ill get some pictures this evening/tonight after work! Woot. 

[Roachant]

I concur with the use of sunburst nectar, my ants seem to be doing well with it.

[Kunphushun]

We decided to go the route of a small aquarium.  Picked up the tank and some clay today.  Woot. 

[Mdrogun]

Do you still want me to ID the larvae?

[Kunphushun]

Thanks Mdrogun, Ill just let it play out.  Sorry its taken so long for me to respond.  Adulting sucks sometimes(working 50+ hours a week). However.WE HAVE STARTED OUR FORMICARIUM!!!!!  

 

I'm using Crystals method from the how too with my own twists for design.  Hopefully it will become a great nest for our first colony! 

 

Pics are always fun so here goes.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Kunphushun, December 24 2015 - 7:49 PM.

[Ants4fun]

Looking good! I wonder about how your idea about expanding to other nests might be affected by this idea. Perhaps you could drill a hole in the glass.... Otherwise you might want to put a tube from the top, and coat the outside with fluon so they cannot get out. Sometimes I find all-in-ones difficult to expand.

[Kunphushun]

Looking good! I wonder about how your idea about expanding to other nests might be affected by this idea. Perhaps you could drill a hole in the glass.... Otherwise you might want to put a tube from the top, and coat the outside with fluon so they cannot get out. Sometimes I find all-in-ones difficult to expand.

 

This is a good point.  I didn't really think about that part too much, however.  I do have the ability and tools needed to drill glass.  If I need to expand, I could drill a hole in one of the chambers and put a tube in there that leads to another larger formicarium.  I'm a problem solver so I'm sure Ill come up with something.  It may be as simple as using a tube like you said and light/heat the nest keeping the new area dark and cool so they'll wanna move by themselves. 

 

I think Next time I do this, Ill make all four sides the nest and make the out world in the middle between them. 

[Ants4fun]

That's a good idea, but by the time they use up all four sides, they will be ready for another outworld.

[Kunphushun]

That's a good idea, but by the time they use up all four sides, they will be ready for another outworld.

 

that's true too.  Maybe Ill just do this same thing only in a 20 gallon instead of a 5 gallon aquarium. Its currently sitting upside down to loosen the grout before I try to pop it out.  Seems to be working sort ov! lol.