49 replies to this topic

[Thatfa666ene]

Wow. Sorry. I would just prepare for nuptial flights and try to start over. Try to find easy species like Tetramorium.

It's pretty upsetting. I just hope they can pull thru. 

[Rstheant]

Just move them into a new test tube with all the healthy workers.

[Thatfa666ene]

Just move them into a new test tube with all the healthy workers.

This is the 3rd test tube in like 6 weeks. It just won't leave them alone. 

[TennesseeAnts]

Same thing happens to mine last year.

[Rstheant]

Is your cotton sterilized? Or maybe your tubes have fungus particles. Also, is the food that you’ve been feeding sterilized? I don’t know, it a strange case.

[Thatfa666ene]

Maybe it is the cottonballs that are infected.  I've swabbed out as much as I could, including some of the brood. 

[Thatfa666ene]

This morning I gently coaxed the queen and the 2 workers left into a new test tube. I skewered what larvae and eggs that were not visibly infected with whatever it is killing all my ants into the test tube with the others. Hoping for the best.

[Rstheant]

Keep a close watch on this cotton. Maybe the fungus factors are that the tube’s cotton is COMPLETELY saturated, and the colony is bringing insect bits in the tube. Good luck.

[Thatfa666ene]

I started boiling the cotton balls before use, and so far no more fungus killing my ants. Hopefully this ordeal is over with. The queen is still working and just got a couple new workers the other day.

She moved into the out world in this pic. I plan on giving her fresh test tube tonight. I'm determined to get her back to a thriving colony.

[Thatfa666ene]

May this colony rest in pieces. I still have this fungus killing some of my ants, I even starting washing my hands and sanitizing my test tubes with alcohol. I'm hopeful to catch some Aphaenogaster queens this summer. Thanks to all those who tried to help me and this colony, and the ones just following along for the ride.