|
Post by msi on Mar 3, 2012 19:56:55 GMT
I asked for advice awhile ago about my ants not foraging, they are still showing no sign of being interested in honey water or small cut up crickets.
I have them on a heat mat, and I completed the set up really nice and all but concerned as their no growth if they are not feeding.
I will put up some pictures of my set up if it helps.
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 4, 2012 9:24:07 GMT
Depending on which species you are keeping, they may find a heat mat a bit too warm. British ants are not foraging much yet anyway, so therefore need very little food at present.
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 4, 2012 14:01:55 GMT
Lasius niger is the colony that I am concerned with. I have them in a tub which is filled with reptile sand and underneath it is a heat mat. do you think I should get rid of heat mat? I just wanted to help speed growth.
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 4, 2012 14:17:28 GMT
Firstly get rid of the heat mat, as L. niger are tough and survive very cold temperatures in the wild. Don't forget these are native to Britain and hibernate, and even outside they are not that actively foraging yet. Secondly most ants do not nest in pure sand, so either change it for soil or mix a bit of soil or peat in with it, as this will help it hold together better and also retain a little moisture. Try and be patient, as it is still only early March; and I know how hard it can be when you want a colony of ants to thrive, as sometimes they can try the patience of a saint when it comes to the waiting games.
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 5, 2012 13:41:09 GMT
ok, I have unplugged the heat mat like you advised, and about the sand I only using it for a ground level not for nesting material as I thought it be better then housing them on the floor of the plastic container. this container is connected to a formicarium that I brought from queen ant shop, as I tried to make one and my dad broke it.
I going to get my camera and take some pictures which may help you understand, would this sand bother them? and could that be reason why they not leaving the test tube to forage?
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 5, 2012 14:00:54 GMT
the plastic tub they are housed in which leads to the actually house I want them be in Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 5, 2012 14:02:51 GMT
empty house... Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 5, 2012 14:06:04 GMT
my camera is not that great at details sorry but you can see two pupa cocoons Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 5, 2012 14:36:02 GMT
Well you certainly have a very nice set up ready for them to move into. The main problem is that they just feel too comfy and may not want to move.
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 5, 2012 19:34:48 GMT
I was think of that too, but I am guessing (I don't have any experience keeping ants) is that once their number increase they will realize that the test tube is too small and they may move..... am I guessing along the right lines?
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 6, 2012 8:00:20 GMT
I was think of that too, but I am guessing (I don't have any experience keeping ants) is that once their number increase they will realize that the test tube is too small and they may move..... am I guessing along the right lines? Yes you are, though until the queen decides to move or her workers force her to move, then they could stay in the foraging box forever. Even if a worker finds her way into the new home set up, she might not take the message back to the colony that she has found a good place to move into.
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 6, 2012 10:33:07 GMT
Ok guess its just a waiting game?
|
|
|
Post by TenebrousNova on Mar 6, 2012 14:11:52 GMT
It can take up to months in a few cases. You could try to make their nest look more appealing to them (Warmth, dampness, darkness), but there's no guarantee that they will be want to make their move. Ants like to take their time with these things.
|
|
|
Post by msi on Mar 6, 2012 14:49:07 GMT
I been trying to make it nice for them and I guess I have to wait.
thought patients isn't not my strong point.
I just hoping their numbers will grow and they realize theirs no space so they scout for new home.
|
|
|
Post by jameslovell on Mar 6, 2012 21:41:11 GMT
Hi,
Ants are starting to come out of hibernation so they will start to become more active this month.
Like Timenova mentioned, if you try to make the nest more appealing to them it will help.
I can see you already have some red acetate covering the nest to give them a sense of darkness. You could also completely cover it until they move in so its in complete darkness.
Also adding water into the water cavity at the top of the nest will make it more appealing to them.
And warmth. Don't make the foraging area they are in warmer than the nest. Although its mostly to do with darkness and humidity.
The test tubes have a water reserve so it makes a perfect microclimate for them. They might stay in the test tube until the water runs out.
If you don't cover the test tube they will not like the light so will be more inclined to move out.
You could also leave the test tube uncovered and attach it to the nest directly, using some tubing perhaps.
Good luck with them
James
|
|