When you decide to acquire ants from Fourmiculture, they are generally delivered to you in a test tube with water and cotton. However, once your colony has reached a population of around 20 workers, it's time to move them to an artificial anthill more suited to their growth. This process can be delicate and requires certain precautions to ensure the well-being of your ants. In this article, we'll walk you through step-by-step how to get your ants to move to their new home, while providing practical tips to make the transition easier.
- Preparation of the new anthill: Before proceeding with the move, make sure that the new anthill is properly prepared. It must be properly humidified, by the tank provided for this purpose or on the substrate close to the ants if you are using a digging anthill. Humidity is essential for the survival of ants. Having humidity close to the tube will help them move.
- Start the move: Lay the open tube in the hunting area, or on the substrate, depending on your anthill. If it has a connection system compatible with the tube (which is the case when taking Ant Farming ants and an Ant Farming anthill), it is enough to connect the two elements together. Deliberately disturb the ants by using a soft light source, but avoid direct sunlight, as it can be dangerous for the ants. When the ants go to explore their new environment, they will judge it more favorable if it is in the dark, under a cover or an aluminum foil, compared to their old tube exposed to light.
- Patience and observation : It is important to keep in mind that the moving process can take time. Some ants may be reluctant to leave their test tube, as they are used to this familiar environment. Be patient and watch your ants' reactions carefully. They will eventually adapt to their new anthill. This may take several days even if conditions are preferable in their new anthill. On the contrary, if no method encourages them to move, they can remain in their original tube as long as it is wet (and the reserve can last for months).
- Maintaining a Quiet and Dark Environment: Once you have transferred your ants to the new anthill, it is recommended that you leave the environment quiet and dark for some time. This will allow the ants to get used to their new space and reduce the stress of moving. You can then disconnect the tube and close the hole. If a few ants remain in the tube, you can knock them down into the feeding area quite easily.