91 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

Update 12-29-2017

 

I'm down to three colonies now, and all three are doing great. Being in my newer Dirt Box setups with constant access to sugar water from their Pyramid Feeders is keeping them all well fed. The largest colony has over 20 workers now and has about 25 cocoons, soon to be 25 more workers.

[dspdrew]

Update 1-28-2018
 
Two of these colonies are still doing well. The third is not doing that great. They only have three workers, and there seems to be something wrong with the queen. It's been this way for a few weeks now, and every day I'm surprised the queen is still alive.
 
I built another Dirt Vase setup for the largest colony. I've had their small Dirt Box in the out world for two weeks now, waiting for them to move in.
 

 
 
I've had lots of trouble in the past getting Myrmecocystus to move. Sometimes the whole colony ends up dead before they decide to move, so I want to make sure that doesn't happen with these.
 
You can see the pile of dirt they put in front of the hole, sealing it off.
 

 
 
I might just end up having to dump them out.

[Ants_Texas]

Update 1-28-2018
 
Two of these colonies are still doing well. The third is not doing that great. They only have three workers, and there seems to be something wrong with the queen. It's been this way for a few weeks now, and every day I'm surprised the queen is still alive.
 
I built another Dirt Vase setup for the largest colony. I've had their small Dirt Box in the out world for two weeks now, waiting for them to move in.
 

 
 
I've had lots of trouble in the past getting Myrmecocystus to move. Sometimes the whole colony ends up dead before they decide to move, so I want to make sure that doesn't happen with these.
 
You can see the pile of dirt they put in front of the hole, sealing it off.
 

 
 
I might just end up having to dump them out.

They have a garden starting to grow in front of that blocked off entrance.

[dspdrew]

Update 1-31-2018

 

I just dumped this colony out. They should have a nest started by the time I get home from work today. I counted about 30 workers.

[YsTheAnt]

So for these you just turn over the dirt box, or dump them through the hole at the bottom?

[dspdrew]

I smack it until all the dirt comes out along with the colony of ants. I do this into a Fluon-coated tub, where I then pickup all the ants and every piece of brood and drop them into the new nest.

[YsTheAnt]

Wow... You always have everything thought out, props to you!

[dspdrew]

Update 2-1-2018
 
They already have a new nest dug.
 

[dspdrew]

Update 2-2-2018
 
They finished their nest today. They're all inside now.
 

 

 

[Bryce]

That's a wonderful set up. That is going to look great when they start digging and hanging. Great job!

[AntsCalifornia]

Cool, I'm witnessing my first colony dig their nest today. I was wondering, do you sterilize or buy your soil?

[dspdrew]

I bake it to kill parasites or other insects that might have parasites.

[antnest8]

do your Myrmecocystus have a repleats like honey pot ants because they are related?

[Ants_Texas]

do your Myrmecocystus have a repleats like honey pot ants because they are related?

Myrmecocystus is the honeypot ant genus. So yes, they will have repletes. Lot's of ants have repletes, but they aren't as obvious as Myrmecocystus or Prenolepis imparis.

Edited by Ants_Texas, February 8 2018 - 3:13 PM.

[dspdrew]

Now that I think about it, I never baked this dirt, as you can see.
 

[YsTheAnt]

Lol, it looks really nice though!

[FeedTheAnts]

It looks very nice and pretty there. Definitely fits with the setup. Is it onion grass and wild carrots of some sort?

Edited by TennesseeAnts, March 4 2018 - 9:15 AM.

[dspdrew]

Haha no not carrots. It's just some wild plants that came with the desert dirt.

[AntsCalifornia]

I think its a nice new addition, it makes it look more natural, you should keep it.

[dspdrew]

I just have to keep trimming it or it will provide an escape route for the ants.