Why are my ants dying? Keeping an ant colony is a fascinating experience, but sometimes you might encounter a baffling problem: the inexplicable death of your ants. In this article, we'll explore the possible causes of this situation and offer solutions to help preserve your colony. Understanding the reasons behind your ants' deaths is essential for ensuring their well-being and promoting their survival.
- The age of the workers and the queen: Ants have a limited lifespan, and when workers reach a certain age, they may begin to die naturally. We often raise our colonies for a year or more before shipping them to ensure their health and a sufficient population for interesting observations. A population of about twenty workers is ideal for establishing them in a proper ant farm. Following transport and relocation, the weakest or oldest workers in the colony may die. This can also happen periodically throughout the year. However, if you observe excessive and frequent mortality, it may indicate other problems.
- Presence of pollutants: Pollutants, such as insecticides in the environment or food, can negatively impact your ant colony. Be sure to use non-toxic products in your environment, including the food you provide. Opt for natural insect control methods and avoid harmful chemicals. Wondering why my ants are dying? Insecticides used on pets to control ticks, in the environment to control mosquitoes, in cultivated fields, or in condominium ventilation systems can quickly harm your ants.
- Food shortage: An insufficient food supply can lead to the death of your ants. Make sure you provide your colony with an adequate and balanced diet. Ants have specific nutritional needs, so research the types of food suitable for your ant species and ensure you feed them regularly. Sometimes, food may be available but unsuitable: too thick, expired, etc.
- Ant nest hygiene problems: Poor ant nest hygiene can promote the spread of diseases and infections, which can lead to the death of your ants. Pay attention to excessive mold and remove any debris the ants bring out of the nest. The inside of the nest cannot be cleaned while the ants are present. They will do the internal cleaning of the nest. But for this to work, you must keep an eye on the humidity: avoid flooding. And on the food: avoid persistent excesses. Otherwise, both can encourage mold growth and attract mites.
- Mite infestations: Parasitic mites can infest an ant colony and cause havoc. Be alert for signs of infestation, such as unusual behavior in the ants: arrested growth of larvae, lack of activity in the workers, etc., as well as significant soiling. If you suspect the presence of mites, use a 30x jeweler's loupe or a USB microscope to get a closer look. You might discover tiny white mites moving slowly inside the nest, especially on the glass. Mites can be present even if the colony is thriving, but their proliferation could severely harm it later. We advise you to relocate the ants to a clean environment and clean the old habitat without using any chemicals. Freezing can be a solution if the nest is dry. Otherwise, leave the ants where they are and treat the area with Taurrus, a predatory mite that will kill the harmful mites before starving itself once it has finished its work.
- Humidity and Temperature Control: Inappropriate humidity or temperature conditions can jeopardize the survival of your ants. Ensure you maintain adequate humidity levels in the nest and avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. Prior research into the specific needs of your ant species will help you create an optimal environment. Using a quality nest and close monitoring are essential. Ants cannot survive if the nest is too dry, so it should never dry out, and a water dish does not replace nest moisture. However, it should also not be overwatered or flooded, as this can lead to rotting food scraps and other waste.
- Stress: Ants are prone to stress and may huddle together, pull the cotton in their tube until exhaustion, or exhibit abnormal behavior. In some cases, you are completely blameless, for example, when a queen fails to lay eggs due to internal issues, attacks her environment, and dies. In nature, approximately 98-99% of queens die without establishing a colony. But if a colony does succeed, remember to avoid stress by protecting the ants from vibrations and excessively bright ambient light. An ant farm that is too large is also a cause of stress, and you shouldn't house a colony of 20 worker ants in a 30x30cm ant farm, for example. Start small: first a tube, then a 15-20cm ant farm, ideally one that can be expanded.
We hope these few tips will help you take care of your ant colony and provide the answers you need when you ask yourself, "Why are my ants dying?"