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1-3 workers dying each day in a small colony

dying workers tetramorium mealworms honey

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31 replies to this topic

#21 Offline Derek451 - Posted May 13 2018 - 2:25 PM

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None of my test tube setups have a “wet surface” on there cotton balls. As I understand it, the ants can pull water from the moist layer of cotton just under he dry layer.

In other words it’s not Necessarily a problem.

Ok, then maybe I won't move them into another tube. It's just freaky that so many ants died so quickly. Still don't know the cause of it.



#22 Offline Derek451 - Posted May 14 2018 - 4:02 PM

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Why don't I have to heat the water when mixing in the sugar, wouldn't the sugar stay in grains if I don't? And is the distilled water that I am using right now ok in their test tubes? Or should I use bottled water for the next one?


Edited by Derek451, May 14 2018 - 4:26 PM.


#23 Offline Shifty189 - Posted May 14 2018 - 5:32 PM

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Why don't I have to heat the water when mixing in the sugar, wouldn't the sugar stay in grains if I don't? And is the distilled water that I am using right now ok in their test tubes? Or should I use bottled water for the next one?

 

Heating the water will make it able to dissolve move sugar, but you don't want the mix to be too thick so there is no need to heat it up. The sugar will still be dissolved just fine as long as you don't try to put too much in.

 

As i understand it most keepers prefer 1 part water 1 part sugar but i could be wrong on this. but just don't make it too thick or it won't pass threw cotton as easy as it should.

 

as far as water goes, i would never recommend distilled water when working with animals. Not only is it not a natural way that animals encounter water, but its also more acidic than bottled or tap water.


Edited by Shifty189, May 14 2018 - 5:34 PM.


#24 Offline CoolColJ - Posted May 16 2018 - 2:38 AM

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What do you mean by 1:1 sugar to water ratio, with the sugar part, considering one is a liquid and the other solid?


Current ant colonies -
1) Opisthopsis Rufithorax (strobe ant), Melophorus sp2. black and orange, Pheidole species, Pheidole antipodum
Journal = http://www.formicult...ra-iridomyrmex/

Heterotermes cf brevicatena termite pet/feeder journal = http://www.formicult...feeder-journal/


#25 Offline KBant - Posted May 16 2018 - 3:31 AM

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What do you mean by 1:1 sugar to water ratio, with the sugar part, considering one is a liquid and the other solid?


If you use a measuring tool, let’s say a beer bottle, and fill it to the top with sugar. And empty the sugar into a container. And then use the same beer bottle and fill it to the top with water, once mixed, boom you have a 1:1 ratio. That is a 1:1 sugar water solution aka simple syrup. Its 1:1 because you used the same container/volume. It’s the same thing many coffee shops have laying around so people can make their drinks sweeter.
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#26 Offline Shifty189 - Posted May 16 2018 - 11:14 AM

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What do you mean by 1:1 sugar to water ratio, with the sugar part, considering one is a liquid and the other solid?


Being liquid or solid doesn’t matter. Use a measuring cup. I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal unless you make it with far to much sugar.

#27 Offline Derek451 - Posted May 16 2018 - 12:19 PM

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Will liquid Stevia extract work? It would be easier to make a homogenous mixture.

#28 Offline CoolColJ - Posted May 16 2018 - 1:41 PM

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Isn't 1:1 like really saturated? I can't imagine the sugar to mix too well


Current ant colonies -
1) Opisthopsis Rufithorax (strobe ant), Melophorus sp2. black and orange, Pheidole species, Pheidole antipodum
Journal = http://www.formicult...ra-iridomyrmex/

Heterotermes cf brevicatena termite pet/feeder journal = http://www.formicult...feeder-journal/


#29 Offline Derek451 - Posted May 18 2018 - 1:51 PM

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So, the problems are not over. I think it's cannibalization.

They have all the food they need; Mealworms, honey, and a tiny bit of Jell-O. However, I just saw 2 ants ganging up on another and killing it. There are 3 bodies, two are being chewed out by some workers, one has parts strewn all over the outworld. I really don't know what to do.

It's definitely an act of cannibalism or murder

pictures:

https://imgur.com/a/NhtbEKl

https://imgur.com/a/9RnSYui

Edited by Derek451, May 18 2018 - 1:53 PM.


#30 Offline Derek451 - Posted June 9 2018 - 1:32 PM

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Excuse me? Is anyone on? Havent had a reply in weeks. My ants are still killing each other. It seems to be happening every 5 days.

#31 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted June 10 2018 - 7:28 AM

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So, the problems are not over. I think it's cannibalization.

They have all the food they need; Mealworms, honey, and a tiny bit of Jell-O. However, I just saw 2 ants ganging up on another and killing it. There are 3 bodies, two are being chewed out by some workers, one has parts strewn all over the outworld. I really don't know what to do.

It's definitely an act of cannibalism or murder

pictures:

https://imgur.com/a/NhtbEKl

https://imgur.com/a/9RnSYui

My N. cockerelli used to do that to deformed workers. In my experience, it happens because of humidity that is either too low or too high. Play around with it a bit, and see what happens.

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#32 Offline Derek451 - Posted June 10 2018 - 9:43 AM

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Off topic, but where do I find this forum on Tapatalk? I will only have my phone for the next few days





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