3 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

I broke my leg very badly a few months ago. I had to spend two months in the hospital, (it sucked!!) during this time my husband (who is not a "bug guy") took care of my ants. He did a great job. He also bought me tickets for a one week cruise this summer to cheer me up after the ordeal, pain and physical therapy! (I have the best husband don't I?)

 

This little one-week vacation, which is such a nice thing, is also stressing me out. 

 

Who will take care of my 7 colonies? My husband is one of the few people I'd totally trust with the job, but obviously he's going with me! LMAO.

 

I have:

 

500-700 Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

15 Camponotus chromaides (in test tube with little outworld)

700-1000 Camponotus discolor

250-350 Camponotus pennslyvanicus

80-100 Camponotus pennslyvanicus

250-350 Camponotus nicoboriensis

1000+?? Lasius neoniger

40 - Formica subsericea

 

I have a few options. I can have the person who has been helping me with cleaning since I broke my leg, the same person who will feed the cat check on them and maybe feed them. But this person is REALLY not a bug person and I'm wary of disaster. 

 

 

 

One Week Alone Plans

 

I need to clearly label all of the colonies and make the ant area as clean and organized as possible.

I need to check on the fluon and other escape proofing so they are secure.

 

500-700 Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

The biggest issue for this colony is water. In addition to their large water feeder in their outworld I will give them a test tube filled with water in the outworld. I will feed them a cricket each day before I go, along with enough seeds that I see them making piles of seeds in their nest. They should be able to eat seeds while I'm gone for a week. I will ask the cat feeder lady to check that they have water and have extra test tubes of water prepared that she could drop in if they somehow drink it all. (not likely)

 

700-1000 Camponotus discolor

I just gave this massive colony a second outworld. Normally they only have one water feeder and one sugar feeder in their outworld, but I will put one of each in both of their large outworld. I will feed them 2-3 crickets a day (as much as they will take) for the week before. I will leave them with 5 crickets (they can easily kill a live cricket) I will also leave 5 or 6 pieces of dry cat food which they nibble on resentfully. (it took them 3 weeks to eat one piece, but that was with fresh food options distracting them) 

 

I don't want to put a water test tube in their outworld since they will try to live in it and it will be so annoying. But I will have some ready to drop in if their water is low. 

 

250-350 Camponotus pennslyvanicus and 80-100 Camponotus pennslyvanicus

I will feed them 2-3 crickets a day (as much as they will take) for the week before.

I will leave them with 2 crickets. 

I will give them a water test tube in addition to their water feeder, and a second sugar feeder. 

 

250-350 Camponotus nicoboriensis

I will feed them 1-2 crickets a day (as much as they will take) for the week before.

I will leave them with 2 crickets.

I will give them a water test tube in addition to their water feeder, and a second sugar feeder.

 

1000+?? Lasius neoniger

They really don't fully eat the crickets I give them ... nor do they drink a lot of sugar water but this colony keeps growing. It's kinda mysterious. 

I hate how they infest water test tubes, but putting two of these in their outworld might be unavoidable. The queen will probably move into the tubes since the nest won't be watered. Maybe I can teach the lady who feeds the cat how to water the nest? It's done with a syringe... not scary for people who don't get bugs... hmmm

 

I will also have frozen crickets and tweezers clearly labeled in the freezer. The cat sitter can give most of the colonies a cricket without much trouble... although opening the outworld for the nicos is dangerous, it's hard to close it properly. Maybe I should just replace their outworld...

 

Thank you for reading my overthinking of their week "alone" I just want to be able to relax. 

 

Hopefully I won't come home to dead or escaped colonies....

 

any tips are welcome. 

 

 

 

[Leptomyrmx]

I don't want to put a water test tube in their outworld since they will try to live in it and it will be so annoying.

 

You could fill the test tube all the way up with water, then leave the cotton ball partially sticking out of the test tube. If you create a bubble in the water the cotton ball won't be sucked down into the tube as the water is depleted and they won't be able to move into it.

That's the only advice I can really give you since I don't have much experience with large colonies.

[ZTYguy]

I would say for test tubes you could put the cotton at the tip of the test tube so there is no space for the colonies to inhabit the tubes and there is more space for water

[ANTdrew]

Terry from byFormica used to make a massive size liquid feeder. I luckily got a few that I use for my Crematogasters. Try contacting him to see if he has any more. In the end, a one week absence isn’t that long. If you figure out water, everything else will be fine.