5 replies to this topic

[Olga]

Today I'm going back to the place where I caught my 6 ants, back to their colony and releasing 5 of them, as one of my soldiers has passed away when drowning in Vaseline applied around the edges of their transport box.
The rest of them have lived over a period of about 3 weeks in an acrylic formucarium and have been fed different goods - from crystallised honey to fresh and ripe strawberries.
I have learned some things and would love to continue my ant journey (hopefully with a queen) in Scotland

I am releasing them, as I am on holidays in Poland but I live in Scotland and would like for these ants to return to their colony.

Thank you and Reast in Peace ❤

[Shaye]

I really don't mean to be a negative voice, but.. After that much time away from their colony, they have likely lost their scent and will be shunned or killed. If I am remembering information incorrectly, I hope a more informed member corrects me.

Edited by Shaye, July 26 2017 - 10:41 PM.

[T.C.]

I really don't mean to be a negative voice, but.. After that much time away from their colony, they have likely lost their scent and will be shunned or killed. If I am remembering information incorrectly, I hope a more informed member corrects me.

Actually, there is a strong possibility this will occur!

[Ants4fun]

The very thing you thought would save them, has now doomed them to a gruesome death from their own colony.


How ironic

[Olga]

Once I released them they walked up to other workers scanning the surroundings and started communicating/talking with them and went back to the nest, so I don't think they were killed. They behaved like before. It was 5 ants Vs about 20 ants, so if the 20 wouldn't accept them they would immediately kill them, wouldn't they?

[Shaye]

I've had workers allowed into a nest when I conduct experiments, and from my experience it only takes them passing by one aggressive worker in the tunnels to turn the entire colony against them.. It very well could have gone fine though. It all depends on the species and colony attitude.

Edited by Shaye, August 5 2017 - 10:50 AM.