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Post by Honeydewman on Aug 18, 2019 10:27:47 GMT
I have a Lasius Niger colony which is housed in a fish tanks outside and boasts a Queen who is now just over 10 years old. You will see that it is set within a purpose built frame so that my Lasius Nigers can neither escape nor be invaded. Situated as the colony is it benefits from the weather and is doing very well. This year, probably because I spoil them, I have had 6 large Alate flights.. The Tank contains plants such as Sweet Nettle, a Succulent called Sedum Oreganum found along almost every road side which attracts a smaller Aphid the Nigers love to farm, even through Winter, a Strawberry plant which gives them a fruit bonus in Summer and other plants that draw in Aphids. I also plant Nasturtium seeds (Empress of India only because it is small) which attract Aphids that the Ants farm from about the end of June to early August. I also had Scots Thistle in the black pot, again for Aphids, but they died because they became too popular for the sap suckers... This late in the year only a few Aphids remain so they are now getting their late feed of Honey/Sugar water... The tank has been deliberately holed to allow the water to drain and so does not endanger the colony by drowning.
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