Ant keeping

I will try and update this as often as I can

27th April 08

I collected this small colony while walking my dog and looking under stones on a warm sunny day.  There where 5 queens and about 50 workers that i could see, i only took the 1 queen and grabbed 5 workers and they had 2 larva.  I only had 2 tubes with me queen in one and workers in other they bite and are fast, i will go back soon and get some more workers and maybe a queen if she is back under the stone.  I have been told that you can't wait longer than a few months because they lose the colony scent and will fight each other.

1st May 08

They seem to be doing well but they are pulling at the cotton wool at the water reserve end.  I think i will find a setup sooner rather than later.  I have not been back to the nest as the weather has not been very good :(   I will go this weekend i hope. I have posted some pics in the gallery.

11th May 08

They seem to have settled in, i have not seen the queen for a few days and the workers have been busy digging a new home :D  They have not taken any food i have put in for them though, i have seen a few out foraging but not showing any interest.

24th May 08

I have not seen the queens for a long while but i have seen workers out and about , they are taking flies I'm giving them so at lest they are feeding .  I gave them some honey water but 2 workers drowned in it  other than that all is good and they seem happy for now.

14th June 08

I have seen 2 queens since last update so thats good  they are still taking flies and the workers are out and about more often now.

14th August 08

I have lost a queen but workers are forageing everyday and taking lots of flies.  I did lose about 6 workers over night the other week but seems tobe OK now.

31st August 08

I noticed 12-15 dead ants in the basin and 1 queen.  I am going to try and see if i can see any brood or queens left in the farm.  Not a good week for my ants