Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Ants won't move to new test tube


  • Please log in to reply
8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Antzy - Posted September 21 2022 - 11:57 PM

Antzy

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 6 posts

Hi

 

Asked another question recently about why my colony is slowing down, and it appears they are getting reaady for hibernation, which led me to the following concern. The tube definately does not have enough water in it to last until March time, I'd give it until January at best. Also there is a small amount of black mold in there,

 

I've followed all the tips and added a new tube, uncovered the current one, ensured the new one is very dark. Despite the fact the light clearly bothers them (when i move it to the window, so sunlight hits them, they grab their brood and try to cram it into a shaded corner under the cotton), they have nade no attempt to move, its been 4 days now.

 

What is the risks of them not moving, and them going into hibernation in a tube that runs out of water mid winter?
 

Also - a side question. Will their current brood all hatch, despite hibernation? There is at least 10 cocoons, and 15 larvae and some eggs.... I find it weird they are refusing all insects i give them, despite them havig plenty of larvae

 

Cheers 



#2 Offline dspdrew - Posted September 22 2022 - 12:54 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Just move them forcefully. They'll get over it. I move colonies almost every day.


  • MinigunL5 likes this

#3 Offline T.C. - Posted September 22 2022 - 1:04 AM

T.C.

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,059 posts

Also - a side question. Will their current brood all hatch, despite hibernation? There is at least 10 cocoons, and 15 larvae and some eggs.... I find it weird they are refusing all insects i give them, despite them havig plenty of larvae

 

Cheers 

 

The species and your location is a contributing factor in this answer. However typically I wait until their is no cocoons or pupae to hibernate. It is normal for colonies to refuse food before hibernation.


" Whatever You Are, Be a Good One "


#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted September 22 2022 - 1:58 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,376 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
Hold the old tube right up to the new tube and flick it hard until you knock all the ants into the new tube.
  • Manitobant and MinigunL5 like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted September 22 2022 - 5:38 AM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,059 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

Just move them forcefully. They'll get over it. I move colonies almost every day.

How many species do you keep drew?


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#6 Offline antsriondel - Posted September 22 2022 - 7:33 AM

antsriondel

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 913 posts
  • LocationRiondel British Columbia Canada.

Yeah, just dump the colony in a box with a barrier ( flour, baby powder and rubbing alcohol, olive oil, etc) and put a new test tube in the box. Then wait.



#7 Offline dspdrew - Posted September 22 2022 - 9:53 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

 

Just move them forcefully. They'll get over it. I move colonies almost every day.

How many species do you keep drew?

 

 

https://www.formicul...he-forum/?p=920


  • Ants_Dakota likes this

#8 Offline Serafine - Posted September 23 2022 - 2:38 AM

Serafine

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,782 posts
  • LocationGermany

Hi

 

Asked another question recently about why my colony is slowing down, and it appears they are getting reaady for hibernation, which led me to the following concern. The tube definately does not have enough water in it to last until March time, I'd give it until January at best. Also there is a small amount of black mold in there,

 

I've followed all the tips and added a new tube, uncovered the current one, ensured the new one is very dark. Despite the fact the light clearly bothers them (when i move it to the window, so sunlight hits them, they grab their brood and try to cram it into a shaded corner under the cotton), they have nade no attempt to move, its been 4 days now.

 

What is the risks of them not moving, and them going into hibernation in a tube that runs out of water mid winter?
 

Also - a side question. Will their current brood all hatch, despite hibernation? There is at least 10 cocoons, and 15 larvae and some eggs.... I find it weird they are refusing all insects i give them, despite them havig plenty of larvae

 

Cheers 

They are in pre-hiberation, the cocoons and eggs will still hatch but the larvae will not pupate anymore.

Cocoons do not survive hibernation so wait for them to develop into workers, larvae will survive, eggs may (but those should have hatched by the time the cocoons are gone).

They will probably not move on their own and i'd strongly advice against just dumping them into a box. Instead carefully dip them into a fresh tube like Drew said (put a box below so any ants that miss the tube can be collected with a small brush and put into the new tube later).

 

Depending on where your ants are from and at which temperature they hibernate you might be able to relocate them during winter. Some years ago I had to rehome my Camponotus barbaricus in January but it wasn't a problem because those are mediterranean ants, they "hibernate" at around 15-18°C and never become immobile like northern species do. They just walked into the new dark tube when i put their smaller tube inside the bigger one and exposed it to light.


Edited by Serafine, September 23 2022 - 2:43 AM.

We should respect all forms of consciousness. The body is just a vessel, a mere hull.

Welcome to Lazy Tube - My Camponotus Journal


#9 Offline ExponentMars - Posted September 27 2022 - 2:59 PM

ExponentMars

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 106 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles

Hold the old tube right up to the new tube and flick it hard until you knock all the ants into the new tube.

I find this only works for larger ants that aren't as good at climbing 


Ants, gaming
Currently Keeping: 
Crematogaster sp., Camponotus Ca02, Tetramorium Immigrans
Wishlist: 
Acromyrmex, novos, Pogonomyrmex, Formica, and Lasius




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users