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Post by Shawn on Mar 16, 2008 18:56:35 GMT
Well they're still in the test tube and as far as I'm aware they've still not left it. There are 4 cocoons now, 2 larvae that are not far from cocoon, and a very nice pile of eggs so I must be doing something right still waiting for a 2nd worker and for them to move in to the farm
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Post by Shawn on Mar 9, 2008 19:01:41 GMT
Just a quick update Well today having a quick look there is still 1 worker but they have a nice pile of eggs. I can see 3-4 larvae and 1 cocoon so a 2nd worker soon They are still in the test tube they came in and have not even ventured out as far as I'm aware, well they've not touched the food I put out.
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Post by Shawn on Mar 4, 2008 18:11:23 GMT
Hi all this is going to be a journal of my Lasius niger. I ordered a starter set and queen from Edu-Sci on Sat 1st March and they arrived today Tue 4th March good start . So I have got 1 queen, 1 worker and about 6-10 eggs and they seem happy. The starter set is from Antstore so Edu-Sci must be importing them, it works out a little cheaper because of the postage Antstore charge but there's not much in it. Its a nice little set up and I hope my ants will like it I've placed my ants in the arena/basin and in full light but the farm is covered with cardboard and a rubber band holding in place so it's nice and dark. I'll update in a few days hopefully they moved into the farm *Feel free to post* *EDIT* On having a second look I can see 3-4 young larva
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Post by Shawn on Mar 17, 2008 20:56:48 GMT
You can guarantee as well in those situations, your mobile won't work especially in the country, and you don't have a notepad and pen on you either When a women careered into us turning right (she should have waited for us to go through at cross traffic lights) the van driver phoned the police straight away. Wood had to climb out of the car on the passanger side, with smoke billowing out of the dash board and his door wouldn't open. The car was a mess, like you said they crumple like a coke tin. Yet the womens car was an old banger with a chrome bumper and it was hardly scratched Ouch hope you where both OK? But yes not nice and her mobile had no signal but like I said a off duty policeman was passing and he got on his radio for help but can you believe that 3-4 cars just drove pass
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Post by Shawn on Mar 17, 2008 19:59:25 GMT
Yes Jenant its not nice, he clipped the grass verge and it made his car spin and his back end hit my wifes driver side. She had no chance to get out of his way he was OK he just bit his tongue. My wife is shaken but its looks worse that it was to be honest cars crumple up a lot now a days plus my car had I nice big diesel engine to stop him But the biggest thing that got me really annoyed was that 4 cars drove passed, they drove around his car and drove off an off duty policeman was passing so he called backup
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Post by Shawn on Mar 17, 2008 19:40:36 GMT
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Post by Shawn on Mar 27, 2008 16:32:50 GMT
Well I had a day off today and I was trying to tidy the back garden. It was a mess from the dog and the winds we had the other day. Well I moved some pot plants I got and thats when I noticed that they all had L.nigers in them. Plus when I moved some big pebbles there was some under them as well so my back garden has got a load this year. My house is a new build and its only 2 year old and I've not seen any till now Just goes to show a bit of sun and out they come Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Mar 9, 2008 20:08:06 GMT
I'll probably make myself look like a bit of a nob now but whats wrong with a bit of mud from the garden? The ants outside my house look quite happy in it! If it's sandy then it be OK but you must cook it in the oven to kill all the little bugs etc. But if it like my garden then I can see it being a right pain to keep moist but give it a try and see how it goes
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Post by Shawn on Mar 9, 2008 19:26:14 GMT
Your's died aye? Don't exactly fill me with confidance! I think I'll let them move naturally anyway. Would people recomend using the sand that comes with it or mud from outside? lol the move not kill them the queen died months later I think I over watered the nest. The sand should be OK but if you use "mud" as you put it make sure you cook it. I would use a mix of sand and peat 3 part sand to 1 part peat? something like that I'm sure someone will correct me
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Post by Shawn on Mar 9, 2008 19:14:21 GMT
Well they will not leave the queen I don't think but you much keep a eye out for her to see if she moves. I moved my first colony last year I put them in a very small container didn't think they would out grow it so fast lol. But all I did was what I told you darken the new home and keep it moist and not bother to much with the old nest and she/they should move mine did. Yes mine died but that was something else a few months later But I'm no expert
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Post by Shawn on Mar 6, 2008 17:02:17 GMT
I have one of those simple green farms that are on most web sites. When I got it last year and put it together I thought I was being a right smart arse and glues the green mountain range thing inside so there are only 2 little holes for the ants to get down to their tunnels. This causes a problem watering them because all the water sits on top of the plastic and slowly goes down the holes and I seem to flood all their tunnels. So I figured I'd go out and but a new one and not put that stupid plastic thing in but is there a way I can transfer the ants? The minute I open the thing up all the ants will come running out and go everywhere. I need help! I read somewhere about putting them in the fridge for 10 minutes will knock them out. If that is the case I could have another farm set up and quickly try to filter the ants from the current sand and swap them over. Would that work? Has anyone got any better ideas for me please? Hi I don't think you should knock them out as you put it. I would buy the new Ant world and not put the middle (green mountain range thing) in then join the farms together darken the new farm and let light into the old farm and let the ants move out themselves. Thats what I would do anyway, how many ants you got?
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Post by Shawn on Apr 30, 2007 15:29:51 GMT
They only sell test tubes by large orders though. Like £17 for 1,000 £7.95 Del plus £5 small order charge and I will only use 10 max in a few years lol I should of asked here and we could of split them never mind Thanks Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Apr 30, 2007 13:03:41 GMT
OK thanks
I got 20 for £4 delivered off Ebay only want 2 or 3 but just think of all the queens lol
Thanks Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Apr 30, 2007 7:29:02 GMT
Hi Where in the UK do you get your test tubes? I've seen them on Ebay and Ant store, but in need of a couple today lol I had a look around over the weekend and I can't find any Thanks Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Mar 6, 2008 18:58:42 GMT
Can also recommend EDU-SCI, ordered Messor Barbarus queen and only took two days to get to very north of scotland. Just laid eggs today Yes I'm very happy as mine turned up on Tuesday like I said, but I'm going to wait for a Messor Barbarus colony. I don't think I'll have the luck with just a mated queen lol
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