not moving in

[bensingleton92]

hi all

I have had my L.niger for 2 months now and when I got them I put the test tube in the foraging tank, my ants have been foraging and putting sand in the tube; but haven't moved out into the up right nesting box (I don't think they have been in yet as there is no sign of digging) is this because of the weather?

and please can you tell me any ways to help move them in?

thanks

[Wood~Ant]

It sounds like your colony has become content with living inside the tube, or may just have what I jokingly refer to as 'Lazy Ant Syndrome'

Try making the set up you wish them to move into nice and inviting. Make it warm, moist and dark; and then make the tube less inviting by shining strong light onto it, or even gently tap the ants out with your finger, as it won't harm them to tumble out of the tube if it's done without too much force.
It may well be that the ants feel safer where they are, as security does play a good part in ant nest location; and if your colony is small, it doesn't feel the need to relocate to larger quarters just yet.
Perhaps they may do so of their own accord once the weather warms up, but there is no harm offering some encouragement and incentive to move into the set up if you do it right

[bensingleton92]

hi

I think my ants are lazy lol, I think I might wait for a month or 2 as it is probably the weather. I only have about 14 of them so, when the eggs hatch, then hopefully they will move in.

thanks for the reply

[Formicalondon]

Well it is the time of year still when your ants will be hibernating. They will stay this way until about March to early April.

[dazzi41]

my ants are now live and foraging (kept in my bedroom)