23 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

Given our current shituation, it seems that mailing colonies may be the only way folks can sell ants this year. I’d really appreciate if some experienced folks could share detailed advice on how to do this safely and humanely.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Ant_Dude has always done it so I would suggest striking a conversation up with him

[Barristan]

Most ant species are quite robust and you can mail them without any problems.

 

Things to make sure:

 

• Is the cotton in the test tube nest tight enough so it won't become loose after heavy shaking?
• Did you use enough stuffing so the test-tube doesn't fly around inside the package and can't break?

 

Problematic are ant species that produce a lot of formic acid or other defensive secretions if stressed. If you want to send such a colony it is better to place the test tube open in another closed container (also use stuffing inside the container). The bigger that container is the higher the chances are that the acid (or other stuff) will mix with the surrounding air and the concentration doesn't get high enough to harm the ants.

 

Very fragile ants can also be placed in a small plastic box without a test tube. Stuff it with crumpled-up tissue and put several drops of water on the tissue so the ants have enough moisture during the travel.

EDIT: I found that video it shows how fragile/large species are shipped:



 

Edited by Barristan, April 11 2020 - 7:55 PM.

[Serafine]

Wouldn't it be better to form like a tub of tissue paper then put then ant in the middle and cover it with some tissue paper on top, the way Tarantulas are shipped? That way the ant doesn't get bashed against the plastic walls if the box is treated in a rough way.

[Barristan]

With a huge ant like Dinomyrmex gigas that would make sense. Smaller ants will just crawl between the sheets of tissue by themselves and are quite save there.

[ANTdrew]

Thank you, Barristan! This is exactly what I was looking for. Do you provide food for the journey? Do you write something on the box or label it to stay upright?

[Barristan]

In my experience parcel deliverymen don't really care a lot what you write or put on the package except for the label they have to scan. So make sure the label is on top. Food is not needed, water is the only thing important during shipment.

 

I also wouldn't ship ants if it is really hot or cold (but high temperatures are a lot more problematic). You never know where the packages are stored and how hot it can get in the trucks.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I would suggest making a holder for it and then going and surrounding it in a soft material and ship it that way so it remains in the same position and the glass won't shatter if it really gets jostled around

[Canadant]

Most ant species are quite robust and you can mail them without any problems.

Things to make sure:

• Is the cotton in the test tube nest tight enough so it won't become loose after heavy shaking?
• Did you use enough stuffing so the test-tube doesn't fly around inside the package and can't break?

Problematic are ant species that produce a lot of formic acid or other defensive secretions if stressed. If you want to send such a colony it is better to place the test tube open in another closed container (also use stuffing inside the container). The bigger that container is the higher the chances are that the acid (or other stuff) will mix with the surrounding air and the concentration doesn't get high enough to harm the ants.

Very fragile ants can also be placed in a small plastic box without a test tube. Stuff it with crumpled-up tissue and put several drops of water on the tissue so the ants have enough moisture during the travel.

EDIT: I found that video it shows how fragile/large species are shipped:

Thanks for the info. That is one HUGE ant in there. Wow.

[AntsDakota]

That’s why its species is ‘gigas’.

[Barristan]

What I also did last year was adding a small strip (but longer than the test tube) of tissue into the test tube. Since the tissue was longer you had to fold it at several positions. By adding that strip of tissue the ants weren't able to fly around that much if the package has been shaken.

 

It is also easier for the ants to grab tissue than glass, so the chances that they loose grip is not so high if they have some rough material they can hold on.

Edited by Barristan, April 12 2020 - 9:45 AM.

[ponerinecat]

I just fill a box with paper and plant the ants somewhere inside.

[AntsDakota]

Wrap and cushion them with a lot of shock absorbent materials, and they should be fine no matter what label’s on the box.

[nurbs]

Sales are usually slow, but ever since the quarantine things have picked up a bit, especially with everyone wanting their ants shipped.

 

I use a heavily padded envelop and wrap paper towel over plastic flower vials with damp cotton inserted (pictured below). No need to do a full test tube setup as that may drown the queen or colony during transit. If you have workers, you can use several vials. No need to keep them all in one container.

 

Everything thus far has arrived without issue.

 

Edited by nurbs, April 12 2020 - 11:39 AM.

[ANTdrew]

I learned some hard lessons after my first attempt to mail. Unfortunately, I didn’t read Nurbs’ post carefully enough and mailed a colony in a normal test tube set up. I chose one day express mail, so that meant a short plane ride. The change in air pressure caused the tube to flood and almost drowned the colony. In the future I will both avoid air mail and be sure move colonies into a DRY tube with a bit of moist cotton in the back. I’ll probably put one of those hand warmers in the box, too. I feel like an idiot, plus I’m sad to have harmed such s promising colony.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I learned some hard lessons after my first attempt to mail. Unfortunately, I didn’t read Nurbs’ post carefully enough and mailed a colony in a normal test tube set up. I chose one day express mail, so that meant a short plane ride. The change in air pressure caused the tube to flood and almost drowned the colony. In the future I will both avoid air mail and be sure move colonies into a DRY tube with a bit of moist cotton in the back. I’ll probably put one of those hand warmers in the box, too. I feel like an idiot, plus I’m sad to have harmed such s promising colony.

It's fine, we all make mistakes. You are currently in an infancy-like a baby trying to stand up, you're not going to get it the first time, you'll fail before you achieve success.  

[AntsDakota]

Yeah. It could’ve been a lot worse.

[Temperateants]

 

I learned some hard lessons after my first attempt to mail. Unfortunately, I didn’t read Nurbs’ post carefully enough and mailed a colony in a normal test tube set up. I chose one day express mail, so that meant a short plane ride. The change in air pressure caused the tube to flood and almost drowned the colony. In the future I will both avoid air mail and be sure move colonies into a DRY tube with a bit of moist cotton in the back. I’ll probably put one of those hand warmers in the box, too. I feel like an idiot, plus I’m sad to have harmed such s promising colony.

It's fine, we all make mistakes. You are currently in an infancy-like a baby trying to stand up, you're not going to get it the first time, you'll fail before you achieve success.  

 

poetic.

[Temperateants]

Also, where is the guide? And if I mail a nearly dry tube how can I expect the recipient to move the colony into a wet tube?

[ANTdrew]

Most of the ants seem to be recovering as they dry off.
Yes, some one with a lot of experience should write a detailed guide like the ones Crystals used to make. If you mailed a dry tube, they’d have to just dump the colony into a new set up upon arrival, which is what my customer is doing.