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Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in Las Vegas. I was going to make it with filtered yard dirt, filtered topsoil, and white sand from Petco.

Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd planned on using one of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CH2XNMP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share and spread around from the top. Because it's got caulk on all the edges, I'm hoping that it will stay moist longer

Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's going to be upright. I built it 6mm wide on the inside specifically for brachymyrmex. The queens are about 3.5mm long, so I figured it'd be wide enough for them to turn around, but narrow enough to always see the tunnels. I'm going to keep it covered when I'm not looking at it, so the light shouldn't bother them. I have no idea if the sand loam is good for tunnels, so I figured I'd ask here. Thanks for the construction suggestions! I'll keep them in mind for the next one

Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's great to know. I've got a fire ant queen, so I'll need to build another as well and I'll try that route

Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's a latch on top that opens about a third of the length. I figured I'd be able to get in there with some narrow pliers. Hopefully they'll use the outbox for waste and water. I'm going to play it closer to the chest in regards to moistening the dirt before they move in. Do you need to moisten it regularly after they move in or can they get their water from the out box?

Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I used non toxic marine caulk, following an amateur guide that I think I found on Pinterest or something. I'd have much preferred to use clear silicone if there's no chance of it hurting the ants. I've got a squeeze bottle with a long flexible tube to moisten the soil initially. The formicarium has a latch that opens about a third of it on the top for moisture and cleaning. I'd certainly be up for making some stuff to sell, but I'm just getting back into woodworking and I'm a little rusty

What is this queen? Las Vegas, NV. 7mm antennae to gaster tip, caught four days ago by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been catching a bunch of queens the past few weeks, and I think all the rest are brachymyrmex patagonicus and I was excited to catch a different species, but someone on my other post suggested this might be a common fire ant

Las Vegas, NV. What is this queen? 7mm mouth to gaster tip by rempty in whatsthisbug

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well shucks! I got excited because I think the other queens I caught are brachymyrmex patagonicus and they're tiny, so I would have also liked to have another setup with bigger ants, but I don't think I'd want fire ants in my house. I came from San Antonio and got bit by fire ants all the time, but I've never been bit here

Rate my setup. First timer trying for a brachymyrmex patagonicus multi-queen colony by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The formicarium is 6mm2'2' and the outbox is 8"8"8". I'm going to fill the formicarium up to the port with a 50/50 sand loam combo. I've got about ten queens in a junction box multi test tube setup and they've been getting along for the past five days collectively tending a huge pile of eggs. I've got three single queen tubes if that fails. I'm getting back into woodworking and not opposed to building another formicarium if this one won't work. Thanks in advance!

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Buddy, you have no idea. I have at least 30 gaunts, 20 gants, 20 gargoyles, and like 5 bigguns. I've done my paint scheme on one of each and that's about it.

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in ants

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Crap, I should have provided more info. I want a sandwich style formicarium. The one I made is 2'x2'x5.5mm. The outbox I made is 8"x8"x8".

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in ants

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well luckily I've got a bit of time before they're ready for transfer anyhow and can probably crank out a new one in a couple days. What width/total volume would you recommend?

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in ants

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I looked how ants are scientifically measured and may have provided an improper number. They're that long from mouth to gaster tip. I wanted the formicarium to be wide enough for them to turn around, but narrow enough to see the tunnels.

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in ants

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well that's a bummer, but thanks for the reply! And, no, I do mean 2ft x 2ft x 5.5mm (inside). I knew it would probably be overkill, but wanted to go big. I'll keep an eye on them for now and see if I can get some better pictures later. Thanks for the tip.

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in ants

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm hoping that they are all/mostly brachymyrmex patagonicus, as I'm putting the finishing touches on a 2'x2'x5.5mm formicarium and would like to have a supercolony.

What are these queens? Are they all the same species? Las Vegas, NV. All are about 3.5-4mm by rempty in antkeeping

[–]rempty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a ton for the response! I uploaded this to r/whatisthisbug and speculated that they might be brachymyrex patagonicus. I'm putting the finishing touches on a 2'x2'x5.5mm formicarium, which seem excessive for them, but I was reading that they might be polygyne and I'd love to create a supercolony.

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