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Post by annie on Mar 30, 2013 23:39:43 GMT
Probably need be more patient, I think, my tiny colony has been with us for just under three weeks and still has not ventured out of the testtube. Two or three regularly go out foraging for food, which is now accumulating in the test tube entrance. it all looks a bit of a mess in there, I don`t know what our queen, Peaches, thinks!!! are they naturally good house keepers?
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Post by crockatt on Mar 31, 2013 1:12:01 GMT
I think as long as your ants are happy and have room in the test tube they can stay in them for a long time, but can be encouraged out by light being on them, also they normally are quite clean, only prob being is if mould begins to form, if possible you could try to remove old food stuffs with twisers etc.
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Post by greed0s on Mar 31, 2013 4:15:07 GMT
Patience is a big part of ant ownership from what I gather.
That being said, you can encourage them out of the test tube and into their new home by making the test tube less appealing then their nest
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Post by annie on Mar 31, 2013 11:09:09 GMT
Patience is a big part of ant ownership from what I gather. That being said, you can encourage them out of the test tube and into their new home by making the test tube less appealing then their nest well they are doing a good job of that themselves, if they dump anything else they won`t be able to squeeze by! I`ll get out my tweezers. perhaps I will put them near the window, it`s not a sunny day but bright enough! thanks chaps.
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Post by Black Ant on Mar 31, 2013 11:13:31 GMT
Place the tube under a strong light, as the brightness and heat will encourage the ants to move to a darker and cooler place. Ants don't like their queens or brood exposed in strong light for too long.
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Post by annie on Mar 31, 2013 13:40:35 GMT
have moved them now onto south east facing window sill. covered the tube leading to the nest in black paper. the nest is covered too. how can they resist?! it`s a waiting game isn`t it?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 31, 2013 13:45:43 GMT
it`s a waiting game isn`t it? It most certainly is, as the ants know what is best and will move when they're ready to and not before.
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Post by annie on Apr 3, 2013 19:37:02 GMT
still waiting for them to move!! Last night I thought something was going to happen, several ants starting rushing around within their foraging box, running in and out of the stones. Some ants were carrying other ants around and then dropping them. The carried ants seemed unhurt by all this. What was going on here, were they trying to relocate? Well if that`s the case they didn`t get far! Everything has now gone quiet. And they continue to ignore the tube to their nest! Oh well. . . .
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Post by Jonzii on Apr 3, 2013 20:17:41 GMT
Hi Annie. Patience is definately the key. I had been trying to get mine to move for a few weeks, but they didn't even seem interested in going near the nest I had connected up. Then one night I spotted a worker make his way up the tube and explore the nest, woke up the next morning and they had cleared the test tube and migrated over. As soon as they discover it they will move in no time.
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Post by UKantz on Apr 3, 2013 20:42:51 GMT
It may be best to keep them in their test tube untill the population increases, they will have more chance of finding the nest when you decide to let them friend their nest and are generally less timid.
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Post by annie on Apr 13, 2013 12:54:18 GMT
still all quiet on the scene! After a very inactive four or five days we have more activity, there is renewed enthusiasm for life. Could this lot be a new brood, with all their juvenile vigour for life?! They are out foraging. Peaches seems more active too. One worker made it to the nest but hasn`t been back since. Boy this is a waiting game, but I find them fascinating and rather endearing and am very happy sharing my home with them. And so we watch and wait.
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Post by annie on Apr 13, 2013 13:21:03 GMT
Peaches is now busy egg laying, with lots of nurses rushing around boiling water and plumping cushions or whatever they do! Oh I do feel proud. I`ll give them some privacy and get on with my laundry and catch up with them later.
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Post by Black Ant on Apr 13, 2013 15:33:02 GMT
Nice to read she is laying eggs. There should be no stopping her now for the next 7 or 8 weeks.
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Post by annie on Apr 13, 2013 20:02:02 GMT
yeah, a big thumbs up to Peaches and the gang. They enjoyed a fresh plump spider this afternoon.
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