5 replies to this topic

[iulius]

Hi all,

 

I've just begun to raise a Camponotus Turkestanus colony.  I currently have a queen with 4 workers and a little brood.

Pretty lovely ants!

I notice they are removing chunks of sand from their nest, and put it on the drop of honey water I gave them (see photo below).  According to your experience, is it something Camponotus usually do?  Should honey water in a cotton preferable for them?

Or maybe they want to dispose of the sand, and consider it as garbage?

 

Also, for the water source, I put a cotton so as to prevent drowning.  I hope that will be fine for them.  I've read on the Internet that some colonies might not be fond of cotton, and prefer direct access to water.  Yet, an accident can quickly arrive...

 

 

 

 

Thanks beforehand for any piece of advice you may have.

 

Julien

[Crazycow]

They are probably doing that so they don’t get stuck in it, or they don’t like it possibly but it’s most likely the 1st option

[PetsNotPests]

They do that so they can't accidentally fall in and get stuck. All ants do this at some point. Cotton will work as a sort of sponge, but I like to use small apple chunks to absorb the honey/sugar water. 

[iulius]

Many thanks for your answers.  I'll give a try to apple chunks soaked with honey/sugar water, good idea, it seems more natural than cotton buds.

[PetsNotPests]

Many thanks for your answers.  I'll give a try to apple chunks soaked with honey/sugar water, good idea, it seems more natural than cotton budsI

It's not only natural, but when they have slurped up all of the liquid, they can munch on the apple chunk itself. 

[Broncos]

almost all ants do this. It normally means they are done with it and don't want it to get in the way of moving around.