Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Big Nest vs Small Nest


  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline john1994 - Posted June 25 2020 - 9:24 AM

john1994

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 13 posts
  • LocationVancouver, Canada.

Is there any difference between a big nest and small nest for small colony about 10 - 20 workers? I know a lot of people recommend small nest for small colony, but why? Do small nest better for their growth as compared to big nest? Do their population increase faster in small nest as compared to big nest? Just wondering. Hope you guys can tell me. Thanks.


  • Antennal_Scrobe likes this

#2 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 25 2020 - 9:27 AM

FeedTheAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,238 posts
  • LocationVirginia

I think the idea is that a smaller nest will create a more stable environment in terms of temperature and humidity. Other than that, that ants may begin to throw waste in the unused portions of a large nest, causing mold to form.


  • Antennal_Scrobe likes this

I accidentally froze all my ants 


#3 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted June 25 2020 - 9:28 AM

AntsMaryland

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 543 posts
  • LocationMaryland

Is there any difference between a big nest and small nest for small colony about 10 - 20 workers? I know a lot of people recommend small nest for small colony, but why? Do small nest better for their growth as compared to big nest? Do their population increase faster in small nest as compared to big nest? Just wondering. Hope you guys can tell me. Thanks.

Small nests are good for small colonies because it provides more constant conditions such as humidity for the colony. Secondly, when ants have a huge nest, they tend to not differentiate what is their nest and what is their outworld. This means that the colony will either use parts of their nest as their trash causing mold problems, or they forage through the nest not going to the actual outworld where food is available, ergo, starving to death.


  • ANTdrew likes this

Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#4 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted June 25 2020 - 11:32 AM

Antennal_Scrobe

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 933 posts
  • LocationMilwaukee, Wisconsin

You should use a small nest.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#5 Offline john1994 - Posted June 25 2020 - 3:42 PM

john1994

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 13 posts
  • LocationVancouver, Canada.

Ok thanks, got it.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users