20 replies to this topic

[skocko76]

I noticed quite a lot of inquiries about different method of forcing ants to move to a new place.

I tried a few, light, cold towels.. did not help. So I gave up, they'll move in their own time (when their test tube dries up    )

But, what if one were to tip the test tube, ever so slightly, little by little, every day. Wouldn't the angle the tube is tipped at eventually become too much for the ants? Wouldn't they initiate migration? I doubt they'd nest well in a vertical test tube.

This could be very gradual and stress free for the ants.

 

What do you think?

 

 

[FeedTheAnts]

I've heard that sometimes ants will naturally move to a lowest place to nest, so you might as well give it a try.

[AntsMaryland]

However, it depends on the species. Some species that are aborial wouldn't work. But I think that is a good idea. But you have to be careful that is ever so slightly every day. 

[skocko76]

I might as well try it! 

The tube connecting my test tube to the formicarium is too short, unfortunately... Hm, I'll have to think of something.

I'll let you know how it goes. It might take me a while, though

[AntsMaryland]

Yay! Please keep us updated. I am looking forward to the update! Best Regards!

 

-AntsMaryland

[skocko76]

The experiment has commenced!

I am testing a Messor barbarus colony of 20-ish workers and a Lasius niger colony of 10-ish workers.

I intend to take off the red acetate from Messors, so that might help the move too.

I will be increasing the incline by a small amount every day or two.

Here are the photos of the setups:

 

 

[FeedTheAnts]

I like the Hippo eating your colonies

[lucas3431]

My Lasius niger Queen didn't seem to care that the tube was exposed to daylight or that the tube was tilted, I was in the same situation as you with the molding cotton, I think she was not bothered because there was still the water/moisture supply.

 

I left her like that for two days, but lucky I decided to do this because she was tangled up in cotton wool that was stuck in her jaws/mandibles. In the end I moved her and the brood by hand into a new tube, once again I'm happy that I did because she has a cocoon but today I noticed she has two nanitics that are not cocooned, so in turn at least I know the mould from the old tube won't pass on any fungi to the developing naked nanitics.  

 

​Wish you luck with your experiment, the advantage you have is having workers to help out . 

[Jonathan21700]

The first thing I do is after the old nest, testube is connected to the new place and the cover being placed on the new I put them directly in the sun. Workers start to freak out and quickly find the new nest and move in. This usually does the trick but for some very stubborn colonies I just dump them out in the outworld. 

[NikolaBale]

Very interesting  if it works at least for some sp it would be life saving totaly stress free and lets the ants move at their own accord please if this works let the people know.

Good Luck!

[skocko76]

I like the Hippo eating your colonies

A little scare tactic, to help initiate the move

[KBant]

why not just pour them into the new formicarium, they'll have no choice but to move in?

[skocko76]

why not just pour them into the new formicarium, they'll have no choice but to move in?

Eggs and larvae are sticky and will probably remain in the tube. It is stressful for the queen, thus bad for the health of the colony. Also, it is an experiment; a little research into behavior of ants

[skocko76]

Ok, got first results yesterday. Seems to have an effect.

The ants relocated all the brood down the incline, but later carried it back to it's original spot.

They did not yet get the courage to relocate to the formicarium. I guess they're wary of the drop at the end of the connecting tube.

Anyway, I'll continue increasing the incline... 

 

 

EDIT: I am just observing the same behavior again, the incline is larger today.

 

 

Edited by skocko76, September 8 2017 - 5:57 AM.

[FeedTheAnts]

Good, I'm happy that you are getting some reaction out of the ants.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, September 8 2017 - 6:14 AM.

[skocko76]

 

Well, at this point things got interesting. Once the incline reached 45 degrees, the queen gave up and moved to the red cap. 

The workers got stubborn, however. They decided to prevent the larvae and pupae to slide down the slope by supporting them with their bodies.

And they stood vigil 24/7, substituting tired ants with rested ones.

Looks like we shouldn't underestimate the stubbornness (should I say persistence?) of ants.

 

Unfortunately, at this angle, the strain on the hot-glue was too much and it cracked.

Coupled with the pink, bacteria infected water, it spelled the end of the experiment.

The Lasius niger ants have been manually moved to their formicarium.

The same goes for the Messor barbarus, who were very disturbed by my daily intrusion to increase the incline.

I decided to give them a break and move them once and for all.

I may try this method in the future again, when I'm better prepared for it (flexible tubing).

 

It looks like it's efficiency is not awesome, but than again, it was never meant to be a quick method, and it ended prematurely.

The ants did react to the incline, so that part was a success.

What do you think of it?

[lucas3431]

I would experiment with the water first in an empty test tube. I think the light may have activated the bacteria. I tried it once with no Ants, it took two weeks for the cotton to start moulding but I didn't let it get to the point of the water changing colour. I noticed there is a lot of air in that test tube so more water less air. 

 

Question, how long was the colony in that test tube?

[StopSpazzing]

Couple questions, where did the water come from? was the test tube soap cleaned before being used?

 

Have you tried a Bunsen burner?   if the test tube is glass ofcourse.

Edited by StopSpazzing, September 12 2017 - 12:38 PM.

[skocko76]

To your questions guys, I have no idea.

I got this colony from AntKit, some 7 weeks back.

I had the tube in the light for last 2 weeks only. The water was clear, but the cotton was bad from the start.

I think you're right lucas3431, the light seems to play a role in water changing color. It changed to pink 4-5 days ago.

[Samarkand]

Funny the same thing happened to me.

I have a L.Niger colony of around 20 workers in a test tube, about 5 days after the first nanitics eclosed the water turned purple. Then the cotton turned purple.

I was going to move them but since i have so many L.Niger colonies i got curious and left them in there. After about 4-5 days more the water turned yellow ^^ the the cotton followed 2 days later.

They are still happily living in the old testtube, i have it in a lunchbox "outworld" with a fresh testtube beside it which is left untouched.