Founding colonies dilemma.

[Antkeeper]

If you have been following my Lasius niger journal 2 & 2.1, I am thinking I want to merge my two colonies together. I am just seeking advice on the best way to do this.

Colony 1- Queen with small larvae (Shadow). weaker
Colony 2- Queen with big larvae + 1 worker (Shadow mkII). stronger

I want to keep Colony 2, as the Queen should survive the Winter with a worker present and she looks stronger. I know I can put the larvae in with her no problem from colony 1, but is it too late to put the Queen from colony 1 in too, to have a co-op? I assume the worker will reject her and also the two Queens will fight at this stage? 

[Wood~Ant]

I certainly wouldn't risk placing the 2 queens together after being apart for so long. Queen alliances only work from day 1 with Lasius niger, and after 3 or more days have passed forget it.

[Antkeeper]

Oct 22, 2015 8:06:33 GMT Wood~Ant said:

I certainly wouldn't risk placing the 2 queens together after being apart for so long. Queen alliances only work from day 1 with Lasius niger, and after 3 or more days have passed forget it.

That was my way of thinking, so it's a larvae transfer or leave them as is!