4 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

This week is my big presentation for the middle school. I plan on bringing in my carpenter ants, which won't be easy to do. Currently their set up is like this:

 

 

Their log is easy to pack up. I have a large plastic storage tub. I will disconnect the tube to outworld #1 and plug the nest with cotton. Then I will plug the outworld up on both sides and pack it separately. 

 

The ants in the small nest and the second outworld will not get to go on the trip. I'm thinking of leaving them home. Just to make it all more feasible to carry. From what I've seen when cleaning when ants are blocked from getting back to the nest where the queen is they freak out a bit and spend their time trying to get out with a vengeance. So maybe this isn't the best idea? It would be a full day of separation. 

 

The alternative is to pack up the whole colony. I could reconnect them when we get there. The plus side is this would be a more impressive display. The down side is it will be harder to carry, and there is more risk of an accident, such as ants getting out in the cab ride over, ants getting out on the cab ride back. Ants over running the school and me getting fired... I've been having nightmares about everything that could go wrong. 

 

Anyone have advice?

 

 

[futurebird]

I can't count or add. LOL. But the numbers are just estimates based on counting the number of ants in a chamber (about 25) then multiplying by the number of chambers. 

[Artisan_Ants]

I suggests that you just take colony is #1 since the easier the better right? I also see how worrying it is when your ants escape from their set ups. And one day of separation isn’t much of a biggie. Colonies with no queens just do their normal and things until they die. As long as the queen has some workers around, she’ll be fine. And another thing is that if you can carry more easily, you can be more careful and cautious right? Good luck!

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

It should be fine as long as it is not for a long period of time. I have read in other journals that did that for other reasons. And they would split the colony for over a week and once put back they would start fighting.

[Artisan_Ants]

It should be fine as long as it is not for a long period of time. I have read in other journals that did that for other reasons. And they would split the colony for over a week and once put back they would start fighting.

I do see your point but that’s highly unlikely to happen, especially to species like Camponotus. It really just depends on the species because each have a different lasting time for their own unique scent (from what you’re saying here I believe). If it is a SMALLER species that isn’t polygynous, then they will more likely fight. Yes Camponotus are monogynous, but are more social, and have a longer lasting scent I guess. Their trails extend from one nest, to some place like 30 or 40 feet away. That definitely means that they have a long lasting scent on their exoskeleton.