5 replies to this topic

[AntPerson76]

My colony of tysoni has gotten bigger than I thought they would and actually outgrew their double tube AC test Tube portal setup. They are small ants so I thought this would fit them for a while, but clearly not. I have an extra mini hearth that hasn't been in use for a long time. My only worries is that there are small holes that the ants could escape from, like the hole in the back for water. I can never fully close these up, but my dentata are too big to fit through them. Should I move my tysoni in to it?

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

The port hoels in a mini should be an 3/8" OD tube sized. It's meant for the nestmate which is a 3/8" OD tube with a bit of fine mesh metal screen melted onto the tip, and a rubber plug in the back(the plug seal prevents water from flowing out the end).

 

You should be able to plug up any of the port holes with some 3/8" OD vinyl tube that you seal off in some way. Like melt a little fine screen mesh onto.

Or you can order some nest mates from THA to plug in there.

 

With water in the tube they can drink it, without water it provides a vent port.

 

 

You could also try just taping down a bit of plastic whatever over the port from outside.
Like put a bit of plastic wrap or snadwich baggie over the porthole and tape it down from the outside maybe.

Edited by Full_Frontal_Yeti, October 5 2023 - 7:50 AM.

[ANTdrew]

I use mounting putty around these tube holes for added security for tiny ants. Just be aware that they can and will chew through it in time, in which case you just need to pull it off, knead it again and reapply. 100% silicone is ant safe and a more permanent sealing option.

[AntPerson76]

I was doing my weekly feeding for my ants yesterday and I noticed there were less ants then usual in their new test tube, so I checked their old, dried out test tube, and there was a hole in the cotton ball allowing almost the entire colony, including the queen and most of the brood, to occupy the empty space. I was going to move them into an empty mini hearth, because I want them to grow in population and their current setup size won't allow that. Any suggestions on how to move them?

(sorry for the crappy photos. I was in a rush when these were taken)

Did you spot the queen?

Edited by AntPerson76, November 4 2023 - 6:20 AM.

[ANTdrew]

You could carefully remove the cotton, then use heat to entice them into the new nest. Even easier would be to attach the tube to the side of the new nest with mounting putty, then expose them to direct sunlight. They’ll move fast.

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

yes as Antdrew says. If you just connect the tube to the new nest in some way be it direct or through an outworld. And just make sure the new nest is all perfect conditions(dark, humid, warm), while the old nest is poor conditions(cold/dry/bright), they will move all on their own. Just might need to give them some time to make up their minds to move, but once they do it won't take them long.