10 replies to this topic

[klawfran3]

I recently finished a formicarium for my M. Ergatogyna but for some reason it won't change homes. It moved out of the test tube but in to the corners of the outworld. The outworld is a plastic box with a layer of plaster in the bottom, nothing to make it seem "homely" but for some reason they will not move in to the new formicarium. They are clumping the brood and eggs in to the corners of the outworld and totally left the test tube. Two of the six queens are in the formicarium but no brood and only a couple other ants have followed, which I think is very strange. Does anyone know what's going on?

[drtrmiller]

You need to describe, or better, photograph the nest, in the same way you described the foraging area.

[klawfran3]

Ahh sorry Drtmiller. I'll get photos up in a couple hours but I can describe the nest. It is made of hydrostone, with the inside of the chambers coated in a sand/ hydrostone mixture. The nest is moist enough that the walls are shiny and "wet" looking, but when over watered a little puddle of water appears at the very bottom of the chambers. It is large enough for the entire colony and then some too, and is kept as dark as possible with a cover.

 

The outworld even has a light shining on it from a few feet away so that it encourages the ants to move, but it's not working it seems.

[drtrmiller]

Sounds like it hasn't cured long enough, and the moisture throughout the stone is in excess of what the ants prefer.

[klawfran3]

Sounds like it hasn't cured long enough, and the moisture throughout the stone is in excess of what the ants prefer.

A whole week and it's still not cured enough?

 

And I make sure that it is not oversaturated in water too. It's kept moderately damp but I'll be drying it out a bit more then.

[drtrmiller]

Yes, a week is enough.  If that's not it, then it could just be the chambers or tunnels are too large or too small, or there's something else.  Without photos, these things are pretty difficult to troubleshoot.

[klawfran3]

The queens have moved back out and all that is left are a few workers. Here are the pictures.

 

The brownness in the chambers in the first photo is caused by a shadow onto damp sand, it's not dirt or any mold. Just the lighting. See the second photo because in that one it's all white.

 

[attachment=1064:FullSizeRender copy 6.jpg][attachment=1065:FullSizeRender-1.jpg]

Edited by klawfran3, September 13 2015 - 5:17 PM.

[klawfran3]

The ants still have not moved in, I even put a little honey in the nest to entice them but no dice.

[Subverted]

Try putting a hot bright light over their outworld

[klawfran3]

I've been doing that for four days and they just hunker down, not even affected. I'm honestly surprised at how stubborn the things are by now.

[klawfran3]

Today I tried something different, I shined a light on them and then lightly breathed on them every minute or so. This stimulated them enough to move their corner nests/ brood right next to the tubed entrance of the formicarium. It's a start in the right direction, at least.

I find it really funny how wherever the queens are there is always a small group of bodyguards that pedal at her feet. I'm watching as the queens explore the tube and I can see the same five ants on each one in a line following them wherever they go. It's really cute.

 

 

UPDATE

I don't want to jinx anything but it seems as though they've started moving their brood in. Hopefully this is the end of this escapade.

Edited by klawfran3, September 15 2015 - 8:44 AM.