12 replies to this topic

[8NIN8]

3/18/21 Today I received my first ant — Formica subsericea — colony from Tar Heel Ants. Queen and 8-10 (?) workers. We’ve had bad weather this week so shipment was delayed; I was concerned about the colony sitting in a warehouse, but they seem fine. I can’t see any brood and it’s hard to see the ants bc they came in a Genesis covered insert inside the test tube. The test tube was packaged in PVC pipe, which I’ve kept the test tube in for the darkness and privacy. I also received THA Fortress, which I have to say is beautifully made - much nicer than I even expected. I’m impressed by THA’s customer service. My macro lens doesn’t seem to be working, but I’ll take photos when I figure out what’s wrong.

3/19/21 I couldn’t resist and had to look at the colony this morning. When I took the test tube out into fairly bright light, four workers came out from the covered area and then the queen. Seems like they were curious (or maybe aggravated??). So far, they haven’t seemed too skittish. I’m considering putting the Genesis insert (no tube) in the outworld so they can move from the insert to the nest whenever they want. I’m wondering if it’s too early to do that with such a small colony.

[ANTdrew]

Good luck with the colony. Be patient with them and keep disturbances to a minimum. A Fortress may be a bit big at this point. I'd advise putting their tube in a smaller foraging container, or getting a mini-hearth for them.

[Antcatcherpro3]

Yeah. They also don't grow very fast. It takes a few weeks for an egg to turn into a worker.

But they are very fun to keep.

[ANTdrew]

Yeah. They also don't grow very fast. It takes a few weeks for an egg to turn into a worker.

But they are very fun to keep.

It’s about five weeks at optimum temperatures, but I’ve seen as fast as four weeks.

[Antcatcherpro3]

they aren't as quick as pheidole but they are faster then camponotus.

[MsTesaAnt]

Good luck on you journey!

[Lillyrose]

I have one of those inserts. They're neat but my goodness .. I wanna see inside better! Lol

Edited by Lillyrose, March 19 2021 - 8:15 AM.

[8NIN8]

Good luck with the colony. Be patient with them and keep disturbances to a minimum. A Fortress may be a bit big at this point. I'd advise putting their tube in a smaller foraging container, or getting a mini-hearth for them.

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[8NIN8]

Good luck with the colony. Be patient with them and keep disturbances to a minimum. A Fortress may be a bit big at this point. I'd advise putting their tube in a smaller foraging container, or getting a mini-hearth for them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you - that’s a great idea!


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[8NIN8]

Yeah. They also don't grow very fast. It takes a few weeks for an egg to turn into a worker.

But they are very fun to keep.

Thank you - I look forward to it all!


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[8NIN8]

3/23/21 A few days ago I had 10 workers, today 11. The newest one is very tiny. When I opened the outworld to feed them, the queen and all workers came out from under the insert cover. One of them was carrying the newest, tiniest ant. I gave them a very small bit of tuna and the queen was the first to begin eating. They all devoured it today!

[Lillyrose]

Tuna? I haven't thought of tuna... good idea!

Will mercury levels bother ants?

[8NIN8]

Tuna? I haven't thought of tuna... good idea!

Will mercury levels bother ants?

I hope not! I didn’t think of that.