moving my ants

[lfcfan]

I have an ant world which I keep L.niger in. Theres a queen and about 30 workers in there and for a few reasons (to long to go into) I need to move them into an fish tank. I have no clue how I should do this so hopefully you guys can give me some advice how I go about this?

thanks

[Wood~Ant]

Hi Ifcfan, and welcome to the Ant Hill

It depends upon if the tank you wish to move your L. niger into is larger, or smaller than the size of the Ant World?

If it is larger, then it is an easy matter, as at this time of year you can put the Ant World outside for an hour or so until the ants become torpid (sluggish and less active). Then place it into the tank which you have prepared ready for the colony, and simply open up the Ant World and empty its contents (ants and soil) into the tank.
Doing this will not harm them at all, and when they warm up a bit they will soon dig in and make a nest.

Should the tank be smaller and you cannot get the Ant World inside of it, then try this procedure out
Again get the ants cold enough to make them very sluggish outside. Then place a medium or large sized plastic jug or bowl on a piece of newspaper, and open the Ant World and tip the contents into the jug or bowl.
Any ants that drop onto the paper can then be shaken or brushed off into the jug/bowl. Then simply transfer the colony into the tank you have ready.

You will have some very disgruntled and confused ants for a short time, but they soon organize themselves very quickly and colony life resumes as normal

[lfcfan]

Thanks wood very helpful I will be moving my ants soon now I know how.

[lfcfan]

Disaster!

I put my ants in the cold so they went dormant and then my ant world refused to come apart, so I had to tip the whole contents from the top and ants went everywere all over the tank, and it took me a few mins to get about 5 ants that didn't come out in the tank. Loads of ants have found the queen who is hiding in some ditch with her back end sticking out. I had to follow the ants to find her lol, but many ants have found her so hopefully all will go well from her.

[lfcfan]

Thank god they're finally digging a new nest

[Wood~Ant]

Ant Worlds can be difficult to open once put together, but as long as the green top bit comes off you can force the clear plastic part open with a knife or screwdriver end.

Good to hear you now have your colony moved safely into your ant tank, and that they are settling in and making a new nest