14 replies to this topic

[Mihai274]

I had a colony of lasius niger with 1 worker. I was so happy to see them and the other day the worker died because he managed to get under the cotton and drowned. After 4 days the queen died too. And today I am not keeping ants anymore and I won't. Now I have a colony of superworms.

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[beniamin82]

Lasius niger with one worker? I caught this year 8 queens and all of them have at least 15workers after two months and a dozens pupae and eggs.

What did you wrong? It can be that you quenn was ill (parasite maybe).

Try again.

[Serafine]

What did you feed them? Just superworms?

Edited by Serafine, September 8 2019 - 1:01 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Clearly you don’t understand that antkeeping is NOT AT ALL EASY TO DO! I have had so many queens that have died. So many. Now I have a Camponotus nearcticus colony that I caught yesterday and I don’t even know if they are alive now.

But, like they said, either you did something wrong or the queen was ill.

Edited by Kaelwizard, September 8 2019 - 4:52 AM.

[Mihai274]

Thanks for your response but now I grow superworms and I won't keep ants anymore but thanks.

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[Mihai274]

BTW I had like 20 ants with eggs and all died

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[Kaelwizard]

Did you give them sugar and protein?

[Mihai274]

I read that they don't need to eat if they don't have workers

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[Kaelwizard]

I read that they don't need to eat if they don't have workers

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Did you feed them when they had workers?

[DDD101DDD]

I read that they don't need to eat if they don't have workers

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What species of ant, some need food while raising workers.

[beniamin82]

I had a colony of lasius niger [...]

[Manitobant]

Please don't give up antkeeping. Colony deaths are a natural part of this hobby and it will happen A LOT. For example, last year I lost ALL of my ants in hibernation and have already lost lots this year including some rare stuff like formica bradleyi. What I have learned is DON'T GIVE UP! your first few losses may hurt but you will get there eventually, and when you do, you will not regret it. The other great thing is that you are in Europe, where it is EXTREMELY easy to buy ants from all over the world, including really fast growing and easy species such as messor barbarus and tetramorium caespitum. I hope you change your mind and stay with us. Good luck!

Edited by Manitobant, September 8 2019 - 9:20 AM.

[FSTP]

If you're going to keep ants you need to get used to them dying. Its a rough learning curve. But if that's not something you want to deal with perhaps antkeeping just isn't for you. that's ok too.

[ForestDragon]

Death is a part of antkeeping my brother you just gotta keep on going and just keep trying, I have no colonies from my first year and my only second year colony is dying but all my 3rd year colonies are thriving and I hope they continue for years to come, its all trial and error and it can take years to get things right... keep trying, winners never quit

[Canadant]

That's the hobby. don't take it personal. Where are you? Country? I lost my crematogastor queen I caught just last weekend. She looked so good. Then... just died. Had her in a tube and everything. Was bummed, but that's the fun. More ants next year!