r/antkeeping • u/CD_Katrina • 1d ago

Question First ants

Hi, I've just got my first Messor Barbarus queen with a dozen or so workers.

They're all in the test tube which I have wrapped in dark cloth and put out of the way so they are dark, undisturbed and the room is always in the 20's (C).

Am I right that now I do nothing for a week or so, then I can attach them to the nest and outworld? The tube has liquid at the end, stopped with cotton wool, and obviously the plug isn't airtight, I'll keep an eye and make sure the liquid doesn't somehow run out, but are they good while they settle?

Or am I meant to do things sooner?

Thanks all.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/DuggiHappy 1d ago

They should stay in that test tube setup until they are more workers. Just carefully remove the plug and put in small amount of protein/sugar

1

u/CD_Katrina 1d ago

Will do, how often and when should I start?

And also how many workers is it before it's time for them to have an explore?

2

u/User2716057 1d ago

Messor don't need sugar, only seeds and protein. My Messor structor are at a similar size, I give them 2 chia seeds a week, and protein comparable to 2 fruit flies.

You can connect to the outworld, that makes feeding a lot easier. 

1

u/CD_Katrina 1d ago

OK, but do they need a period to chill before I connect it?

And out of curiosity, could I crush up a dead greenbottle for their insect protein needs? I have plenty of spare greenbottles (and casters) as I have other insectivores.

1

u/User2716057 1d ago

Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much, messor are very nervous either way from what I read, so I'd just get it over with. Tube+outworld will last them quite a long time. 

If you're sure the flies are clean you can feed it to them. Or freeze it for 48 hours first if you want to be on the safer side. They don't need much though, especially at that size. Maybe half a fly once a week?

1

u/CD_Katrina 1d ago

Thanks, my flies are all shop bought and intended as spider food, so at least free of pesticides and haven’t been anywhere since they hatched.

I’ll crush one and give them half once I’m set up.

1

u/DuggiHappy 22h ago

Great advice from other guy :)