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L. Niger founding while on vacation

Started By Rubenvis24 , Aug 1 2017 1:02 AM
lasius lasius niger vacation founding queen mold test tube starvation

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#1 Offline Rubenvis24 - Posted August 1 2017 - 1:02 AM

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Hello, this is my first post on this forum and I don't know if this is an old topic so apologies in advance. I have recently caught two Lasius Niger queens. It will be my first time keeping ants. I've heard that it is an easy species to keep. However, now that the eggs have hatched and the larvae made cocoons I am worried. I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks. I am worried that the queen and the first generation of workers will starve during this period. I thought about releasing them in their outworld, but I don't know of that's the right thing to do if the queen is still on her own with the brood. I also don't want to much mold. Any suggestions?

#2 Offline GeorgeK - Posted August 1 2017 - 1:06 AM

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Ants should hatch in 1-2 weeks by now, maybe you can place little honey on piece of baking paper or some aluminum foil since honey doesnt mold, and that should be enough for them to keep going :)


#3 Offline Rubenvis24 - Posted August 1 2017 - 1:08 AM

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Ants should hatch in 1-2 weeks by now, maybe you can place little honey on piece of baking paper or some aluminum foil since honey doesnt mold, and that should be enough for them to keep going :)


Should I place this in the test tube or is it better to place this in an outworld?

#4 Offline AndersT - Posted August 1 2017 - 6:03 AM

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I'd say in an outworld, but if no nanitics have hatched yet, they're not gonna have much use for it. I also don't think they'd go for it.

 

What you could do is feed the queen with a bit of honey on a cotton swab, so she's "stocked up" for your time away. Might be more stressful than helpful though.

 

I don't think your ants will starve to death in that amount of time, at least not at that time of the founding phase. As long as they have water in the tube, I'd reckon you'll be fine. Just make sure they get honey or sugarwater as soon as you get home.


#5 Offline Connectimyrmex - Posted August 1 2017 - 9:08 AM

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I give my queens one dead termite/fly and one drop of honey every time I go out for vacation (even a fully claustral queen can't resist a tasty snack). I just stick those directly onto the tube.


Edited by Connectimyrmex, August 1 2017 - 9:08 AM.

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#6 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted August 24 2017 - 11:15 AM

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When colonies are at their founding stage they can go a couple of weeks without food. I wouldn't worry to much. I think the idea of just putting some honey on baking paper and into the test tube is a good idea. That way they have energy. Good Luck!

 

-AntsMaryland


Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus

#7 Offline Rubenvis24 - Posted August 24 2017 - 12:21 PM

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Thanks for all the tips guys. I am now back from vacation and have put the ants with the test-tube in an outworld.
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#8 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted August 24 2017 - 1:05 PM

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Yay!


Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus

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Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: lasius, lasius niger, vacation, founding, queen, mold, test tube, starvation

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