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Help with Tetramorium colony!


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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Swirlysnowflake - Posted August 10 2020 - 8:58 PM

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I have a colony of Tetramorium immigrans, with 15- 20 workers. They were in a tubs and tubes setup with dry sand as substrate. They started to bring sand into the test tube and stick it to the cotton to moisten it, then started putting it into the ground. Today they moved out of the test tube and into the sand. I'm afraid that the tunnels they built might collapse if the container is moved at all. Should I leave them in the sand, or is there some way to get them out without harming the queen. Thanks in advance!

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#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 11 2020 - 2:43 AM

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I would try to get them out of the sand. Just figure out where they’re digging and gently brush away the sand with a feather to make it unsuitable for nesting.
Sand is a good substrate for them, but it should be bone DRY and a very thin layer. I’ve had many colonies with dry sand substrate, and they’ve never dug in it.
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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.

#3 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted August 11 2020 - 5:53 AM

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Make sure to cover the test tube up so it's dark. They tend to like it. Something must have been stressing them out to get them to move like that. OR their was a lot of sand in the outworld area, and in that case – tetras LOVE to dig.


Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#4 Offline Swirlysnowflake - Posted August 11 2020 - 8:39 AM

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Make sure to cover the test tube up so it's dark. They tend to like it. Something must have been stressing them out to get them to move like that. OR their was a lot of sand in the outworld area, and in that case – tetras LOVE to dig.


There is a 3/4 inch layer of sand in the outworld...

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#5 Offline AntsDakota - Posted August 11 2020 - 8:46 AM

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Make sure to cover the test tube up so it's dark. They tend to like it. Something must have been stressing them out to get them to move like that. OR their was a lot of sand in the outworld area, and in that case – tetras LOVE to dig.


There is a 3/4 inch layer of sand in the outworld...

 

That might be a little much.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 11 2020 - 8:48 AM

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Yeah, too much. Keep it at 1/4 inch and dryer than an AA meeting.
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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.

#7 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted August 11 2020 - 8:49 AM

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Yeah, too much. Keep it at 1/4 inch and dryer than an AA meeting.

:lol:


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Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus





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