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Formicarium for just a queen?

Started By Jimmydave937911 , May 30 2020 8:03 AM

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35 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 8:03 AM

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Hi all,

Was just on the Ants Australia website and noticed this very small ‘founding’ formicarium. I have a test tube that’s get a bit dirty with just a queen and a few eggs, could I transfer her into one of these? It mentions you can have from 1 ant in there and from what I’ve seen from the Ants Australia website this guys seems to know his stuff. What are your thoughts on this guys?

Thanks as always

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#2 Offline ConcordAntman - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:10 AM

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Not that different from this at Tar Heel Ants. 
https://tarheelants....products/discus

 

18BDACE8 F320 496E 9DA4 1063F64268F0

 


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#3 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:34 AM

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Are they ok to use for a single queen though?

#4 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:35 AM

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I think that's what they're made for


My ants

https://www.formicul... themicroplanet

#5 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:40 AM

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The species of the queen matters too, for example you wouldn't put a single Solenopsis molesta queen in one of those. If you have something like Camponotus it would probably be a good fit.


He travels, he seeks the p a r m e s a n.

#6 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:44 AM

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Ooooooh this is exciting stuff! I’ll be making one tomorrow in that case!! ‍♂
DDD I have both Lasius Niger and Lasius Flavus but it’s the Niger that needs it really...

#7 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:53 AM

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You reckon Lasius Niger would be ok in there?

#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 30 2020 - 10:33 AM

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It’s really hard to improve on the good ol’ fashioned test tube, though. It’s the default starter for a reason.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#9 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted May 30 2020 - 11:17 AM

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In my opinion, you should transfer her to another test tube. However, I've never tried to keep a single Lasius queen in a formacarium, so I wouldn't take my advice too seriously.


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He travels, he seeks the p a r m e s a n.

#10 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 30 2020 - 11:52 AM

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I feel like a test tube is also the best queen keeping formicarium. If you do keep it in one of those formicariums, you need to keep it wet and moist for the queen to feel comfortable. That is the pro for a test tube. It is really moist.


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)

#11 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 12:26 PM

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I’ll draw up a few designs tomorrow and see if I can get something that I think will suit the queen.

#12 Offline Amazant - Posted May 30 2020 - 2:23 PM

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If you want to keep a single queen in a nest like that I would also keep the test tube connected to it so the queen can choose which one she likes best, and I would also leave it connected even if she likes the formicarium if for some reason you forget to water the formicarium.
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Colonies: Formica pallidefulva, Lasius neoniger, Camponotus decipiens, Camponotus sp, Camponotus Vicinus, Crematogaster Sp

#13 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 30 2020 - 3:53 PM

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I have tried to put ants into a formicarium too soon, and they do terrible. And these colonies even had workers. if you really want to do it, just make it really small, so that the ants feel at home.


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)

#14 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 1:13 AM

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Was just thinking about something like this...
Might actually just make the entire back wall for water, thus reducing the size of the formicarium. She doesn’t need much space?

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#15 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 3:21 AM

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Slight design change but taking shape...

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#16 Offline Antkid12 - Posted May 31 2020 - 3:25 AM

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Looks nice so far!


Edited by Antkid12, May 31 2020 - 3:25 AM.

Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 

#17 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:29 AM

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Paint work compete, gone for a browny/earthy type look. Obviously got a mini volcano too lol 😂

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#18 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:42 AM

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Clever! You could sell that for exorbitant prices. If you put a bit of substrate in there, queens would love it.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#19 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:53 AM

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Drew, I’ll be honest with you, I really enjoy making them and wondered if there would be a market for this kind of thing in the UK? Don’t get me wrong they are all made by hand and not 100% perfect but they actually look ok?
I’ve got some kids sand we bought today so will stick a layer of that on the bottom and see how it goes? Got to pop out now but just going to cut and seal the lid then pretty much good to go.
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#20 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 31 2020 - 6:00 AM

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What are the dimensions? I am still worried it is to big for a queen.


Edited by Ants_Dakota, May 31 2020 - 6:00 AM.

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)

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