367 replies to this topic

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I took her out and recycled her, her gastor got crushed in my tweezers. I'm so clumsy today lol

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Fed them wheat grass juice mixed with sugar water. was only 3 ml. but they sucked it up like no one's business 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I might try feeding them wheat grass juice straight up because it is super protein rich. Maybe next year, as I'm moving them to a cooler room for three days before i start hibernating them

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Put them in the coolest room of my house to start prepping them for hibernation, going to change their test tube into water for hibernation.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Waiting fr some AC test tubes to get delivered so I can put the carbohydrate mix as a supply, because it shouldn't mold that much. Perfect for hibernation, and in general. Plus, they seem to like it as much if not better than their honeywater mix.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I finally got the test tubes (over a week!) and I am going to set one up for diapause. Question, which molds faster, sugar water or honey water?

[TennesseeAnts]

Honey water. Sugar water doesn't mold at all if there's nothing organic (cotton!) touching it for extended periods.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Honey water. Sugar water doesn't mold at all if there's nothing organic (cotton!) touching it for extended periods.

Thanks, I need something that can last for and a bit after hibernation

[TennesseeAnts]

Oh and not to mention honey water ferments.

[ANTdrew]

Any sugary liquid will eventually ferment unless it has preservatives in it like Potassium sorbate, which stops yeast from reproducing. Fermentation shouldn’t be an issue if you’re keeping the tube in the fridge, but molds could still grow. I just want to clarify, you’re not planning to hibernate the ants in a sugar water filled tube, right?

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Any sugary liquid will eventually ferment unless it has preservatives in it like Potassium sorbate, which stops yeast from reproducing. Fermentation shouldn’t be an issue if you’re keeping the tube in the fridge, but molds could still grow. I just want to clarify, you’re not planning to hibernate the ants in a sugar water filled tube, right?

Yeah, I just need to get them out of their current test tube for hibernation. I should have clarified.
And their current test tube is honey water, so I am trying to find the best way to get them into a water test tube

[Boog]

I had success in moving out my Camponotus colony of a test tube using an ice pack wrapped in a towel placed over the test tube. I had to be observant as they left the tube however, because I did knock out a major that was coming to defend the nest from the cold. She revived after I removed the ice pack, so I'd advise being careful if attempting this but I tried heating them with a cable and shining a bright light on them for a couple days but they didn't budge. This was moving them out of a test tube into a grout nest though, so be sure the newer test tube is accessible for them and not in the cold zone.

[Guy_Fieri]

Any sugary liquid will eventually ferment unless it has preservatives in it like Potassium sorbate, which stops yeast from reproducing. Fermentation shouldn’t be an issue if you’re keeping the tube in the fridge, but molds could still grow. I just want to clarify, you’re not planning to hibernate the ants in a sugar water filled tube, right?

Yeah, I just need to get them out of their current test tube for hibernation. I should have clarified.And their current test tube is honey water, so I am trying to find the best way to get them into a water test tube

They'll probably take a while to finally abandon their precious honey.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

So you think giving the water testable darkness and shining a light on the honey test tube would work?

[DDD101DDD]

So you think giving the water testable darkness and shining a light on the honey test tube would work?

I think so, but from what I hear, ants are really stubborn and might not leave their tube for a long time.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I had my old colony move fully within the time it took me to shower  , Hoping they move before October is over though.

[Scherme]

I had my old colony move fully within the time it took me to shower 

What did you do differently? point a gun at them? 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I had my old colony move fully within the time it took me to shower

What did you do differently? point a gun at them? 

No, I exposed the to light from an open window while I covered the other tube, put the test tube I wanted them to move out of on a slight incline, and left them be

[ANTdrew]

I'm a little confused. Why are you waiting until October ends if they moved while you showered?

[Scherme]

I'm a little confused. Why are you waiting until October ends if they moved while you showered?

His OLD colony moved during a shower. His current one is being stubborn.