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HELP MY COLONY ISN'T EATING

Started By SardineBoy6.0 , Sep 8 2020 9:16 AM

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#1 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:16 AM

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HELP  my colony of T immagrans isn't eating the honey i give them! i tried giving them sugar water in a test tube but they won't eat that either!


#2 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:18 AM

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Leave them alone. Give them time. They might not be hungry now.


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

#3 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:19 AM

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Ants are not dumb. If they are hungry, than they will eat.


Tetramorium is a really hardy species. I wish you luck!


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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)

#4 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:22 AM

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but i fed it to them 3 days ago and they haven't eaten it


#5 Offline Manitobant - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:37 AM

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They may be preparing for hibernation and not eating cause they've stored up food for the winter.
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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#6 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:39 AM

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about that, when does hibernation start?


#7 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:43 AM

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also were should i put them for hibernation?


#8 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:56 AM

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When you start to feel a chill, but preferably before that, so their blood sugars can build up.


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)

#9 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:57 AM

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ok thx now where should i put them? in the fridge?


#10 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted September 8 2020 - 9:58 AM

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Or outside. it depends on if you have a fridge available. 


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 SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 10:01 AM

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thanks!


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#12 Offline Antkid12 - Posted September 8 2020 - 10:01 AM

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You can also put them in a cool room.


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

 

                    

                   

 

 

#13 Offline Manitobant - Posted September 8 2020 - 10:05 AM

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It depends on your area. If they seem like they're ready now then put them in now or wait a bit longer if you want.
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#14 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted September 8 2020 - 12:33 PM

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Make sure your fridge isn't too cold.


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

#15 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted September 8 2020 - 1:14 PM

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what temp would you suggest?


#16 Offline ANTdrew - Posted September 8 2020 - 1:40 PM

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45-50deg
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#17 Offline ponerinecat - Posted September 8 2020 - 2:12 PM

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but i fed it to them 3 days ago and they haven't eaten it

You realize founding colonies often don't eat for a week or so. Just let them do what they need to do.


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#18 Offline P0rcelain - Posted September 8 2020 - 6:36 PM

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but i fed it to them 3 days ago and they haven't eaten it

if there is any doubt still in your mind, let me reassure you

ants are ectothermic

this means they do not waste energy producing heat to stay warm, and so require a lot less food than we mammals do

for insects, a week or two without food is fine

as others have said, just be patient

they will eat if they need to

some ants are picky and will only eat soft bodied insects or something

but if you have tried feeding them a lot recently and they have not eaten

it is far more likely they are just not hungry


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#19 Offline TechAnt - Posted September 8 2020 - 7:34 PM

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As I have said before

 

One of THE MOST underrated requirements to be an antkeeper is patience. patience, patience, PATIENCE. 
It is absolutely required that you have patience with new colonies and queens, heck, for some ants they will die when people don't have patience with them. 

Please, stay patient and I'm sure your ants will grow.


Edited by TechAnt, September 8 2020 - 7:34 PM.

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My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
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