What To Do When Your First Worker Arrives - AntsCanada Tutorial #20 [HD]

Summary

In this tutorial, AntsCanada guides first-time ant keepers through the exciting process of welcoming their first worker ants. Advice includes waiting until a few workers emerge, feeding them liquid honey, and gradually introducing protein sources. Tips on moving ants to a formicarium and maintaining proper hydration are also provided, ensuring a smooth transition for both the ants and their keepers.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Celebrate the arrival of your first worker ant as it marks the beginning of a complete colony.
• 🧐 Stay calm and avoid disturbing the colony, especially in the initial stages after the first worker emerges.
• 🕰 Be patient and wait for two or three workers to emerge before making any changes to the colony.
• 🛡 Allow the new workers time to harden their exoskeletons, which can take up to a week after they eclose.
• 🍯 Start feeding the ants with liquid food such as a drop of honey, which the queen can also benefit from.
• 🦗 If ants appear restless, offer a small protein source like a cricket leg after they have had honey for a few days.
• 🚫 Avoid using outdoor flies due to the risk of pesticides, which could harm the young colony.
• 🍎 Use fruit flies if available, but ensure they are not exposed to pesticides.
• 🏠 Move the ants from a test tube to a formicarium when they have a good number of workers and are feeding healthily.
• 💧 Ensure the ants have access to moisture, either by moving them to a new setup or hydrating the formicarium.
• ❄️ Be prepared for the upcoming hibernation season and watch for more videos on how to manage it as it approaches.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the tutorial by AntsCanada?

The main topic of the tutorial is what to do when you have your first worker ants in a new ant colony.

Why is the emergence of the first worker ant significant for ant keepers?

The emergence of the first worker ant is significant because it marks the beginning of a complete ant colony.

What advice does the tutorial give for celebrating the arrival of the first worker ants?

The tutorial suggests staying calm, celebrating with something like popping champagne, but also keeping the colony undisturbed.

What is the recommended waiting period before feeding the new worker ants?

The tutorial recommends waiting about a week before feeding the new worker ants, allowing their exoskeleton to fully harden.

Why might ants reject food immediately after emerging as workers?

Ants might reject food immediately after emerging because their mouthparts and internal parts are still hardening or developing.

What type of food is usually the first to be accepted by new worker ants?

New worker ants usually readily accept liquid food, such as a drop of honey.

What should be done if ants seem restless after being fed honey?

If ants are restless, the tutorial suggests providing them with a small piece of insect or protein source, like a cricket leg.

What is the importance of using fruit flies as a food source for the ants?

Fruit flies can be used as a food source, but it's important to avoid using flies from outside to prevent potential pesticide contamination.

How long does it usually take for a new colony to start feeding healthily?

It usually takes about two weeks for a new colony to start feeding healthily.

What is the recommended action when moving ants from a test tube to a formicarium?

When moving ants to a formicarium, it's recommended to wait until there is a nice group of workers and ensure the formicarium is properly hydrated.

Why is it important to maintain moisture in the ant setup?

Maintaining moisture is important to prevent the setup from becoming moldy or dry, which can be detrimental to the ants' health.

Outlines

00:00

🐜 First Worker Ants: Celebration and Care

AntsCanada introduces a tutorial on handling the arrival of the first worker ants, a significant and exciting milestone for new ant keepers. The script emphasizes the importance of staying calm and not disturbing the colony immediately after the first workers emerge. It advises waiting until two or three workers have fully hardened their exoskeletons before feeding them, usually with a drop of honey, which also benefits the queen. The tutorial suggests waiting about a week before feeding to ensure the ants' internal parts have fully developed. If ants appear restless, a small protein source like a cricket leg can be offered. It also mentions the transition from a test tube setup to a formicarium for the growing colony.

05:03

🌱 Formicarium Setup and Ant Colony Maintenance

This paragraph discusses the management of ant colonies that are initially raised in a formicarium. It reassures that if ants are already in a formicarium, the setup is ready for their expansion, and they can venture into an out world when prepared. The importance of providing moisture and hydration is highlighted, suggesting the placement of a water-filled test tube in the out world. The script advises patience if ants do not eat immediately, as they can survive a few days without food. It also congratulates new ant keepers and those who have captured queen ants, hinting at upcoming videos on hibernation as the season approaches. The tutorial concludes with a reminder to spread 'ant love' and thanks for the support.

Keywords

💡Ants

Ants are social insects known for their organized colonies and cooperative behavior. In the context of this video, ants are the main focus, particularly the process of raising them from queens to colonies. The script discusses various stages of ant care, including the emergence of the first worker ants, which is a significant milestone in antkeeping.

💡Nuptial Flight

Nuptial flight refers to the period when winged ants, particularly queens, take flight to mate. It is a critical event in the life cycle of ants, as it leads to the establishment of new colonies. The video mentions a previous tutorial on catching queens during nuptial flight, indicating its importance in starting an ant colony.

💡Test Tube Setup

A test tube setup is a common method for housing and observing ants, especially in the early stages of colony development. It involves using a test tube as a temporary home for the ants, allowing for easy observation and management. The script mentions creating a test tube setup for new queens, highlighting its use in the initial stages of antkeeping.

💡Queen

The queen ant is the reproductive female in an ant colony, responsible for laying eggs and starting new colonies. The video script discusses the queen's role in the colony, including her egg-laying and the care she receives from the first worker ants. The queen's health and activity are central to the success of an ant colony.

💡Larvae

Larvae are the immature stage of insects, including ants, that develop from eggs. In the video, the script mentions the queen laying eggs which then develop into larvae. These larvae are cared for by the queen and eventually transform into pupae, showing the life cycle progression in an ant colony.

💡Pupae

Pupae are the transitional stage in the life cycle of insects, where they undergo metamorphosis before becoming adults. In the context of the video, pupae are the stage that follows the larvae, eventually developing into worker ants. The script emphasizes the waiting period for pupae to develop, illustrating the patience required in antkeeping.

💡Worker Ants

Worker ants are the non-reproductive female ants in a colony that perform various tasks such as foraging, caring for the young, and maintaining the nest. The emergence of the first worker ants is a pivotal moment in the video, marking the beginning of a functioning colony. The script provides advice on how to care for these ants, including feeding and housing considerations.

💡Exoskeleton

The exoskeleton is the external covering of an insect, providing support and protection. The script mentions that the exoskeleton of newly emerged worker ants is initially soft and needs time to harden. This is crucial for their ability to function properly and accept food, making it a key concept in understanding the ants' development.

💡Formicarium

A formicarium is a specialized enclosure designed for housing ant colonies, offering a more permanent and natural environment compared to a test tube setup. The video script discusses the transition from a test tube to a formicarium, which is an important step in the growth of an ant colony as it provides more space and a more complex environment.

💡Honey

Honey is a sweet substance produced by bees and is often used as a food source for ants in captivity. In the script, honey is mentioned as a readily accepted food for ants, particularly for the first worker ants and the queen. It serves as a nutritious and easily digestible option for ants, supporting their growth and health.

💡Hibernation

Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, often triggered by cold temperatures. The script briefly mentions hibernation as an upcoming phase for ant colonies, indicating that there will be more content on this topic as the season approaches. This is relevant to the ongoing care and management of ant colonies, as it requires preparation and adjustments.

Highlights

Introduction to the tutorial on what to do when the first worker ants emerge in a new ant colony.

The excitement of observing the queen lay eggs and the larvae develop into pupae.

Advice to stay calm and celebrate the emergence of the first worker ants, marking the beginning of a complete colony.

Recommendation to avoid disturbing the new colony immediately after the first workers emerge.

Suggestion to wait until two or three workers have emerged before taking further action.

Explanation that newly emerged workers have a soft exoskeleton that needs time to harden.

Observation that ants may reject food for the first few days after emerging, and reassurance that this is normal.

Guidance on feeding the ants liquid food, such as a drop of honey, after a week.

Importance of providing sustenance to the queen through the first workers if she has been fasting.

Advice on offering protein sources, like a cricket leg, if the ants seem restless after feeding on honey.

Caution against using flies from outside due to the risk of pesticides affecting the young colony.

Expectation that within two weeks, the colony should be feeding healthily.

Emphasis on the unique needs and behaviors of different ant species and colonies.

Instructions for moving the ants from a test tube to a formicarium once they have a sufficient number of workers.

Information on how to properly hydrate a formicarium and provide water for the ants.

Acknowledgment of the upcoming hibernation season and the promise of more videos on that topic.

Closing remarks thanking the viewers for their support and encouraging the spread of 'ant love'.

Transcripts

hello, andAntsCanada here once again bringing you another random and

helpful tutorial on ants

now we've created a tutorial on

Catching your own queens during nuptial flight

We've created a tutorial on how [to] create a test Tube setup for them

And now this tutorial is about

what to do when

The first worker equals is you know it's a very exciting event

especially if you are

First-time ant

Keeping parents, I guess

you know it's really exciting you've

Essentially watched your queen over the several weeks lay her eggs

Care for the Young you know the larvae turn into pupae

and you know the painstaking

Waiting period ah so hard. I know don't worry and one day you realize you have your first worker ant

So we've had several messages

Asking us what to do when you have you know your first worker? It's very exciting

because it's essentially the beginning of a complete colony, so

essentially

You want to stay calm?

You know pop the champagne

Do what you want celebrate when you first have?

Your workers, but you want to stay calm

You still want to keep the colony relatively undisturbed if you're keeping them in a test Tube setup

You know you don't have to touch them or feed them right away

what I like to do is I like to wait until

Two or three workers have you enclosed?

I'm assuming that there are

other people

developing

So what I tend to do is I usually wait about a week

Before I do anything you know and it's fine the ants don't starve to death they don't do anything

but what that does what the week does is it allows the

workers the newly enclosed workers to Fully Harden

You know their exoskeleton is still relatively soft when they first [eclose] I found if you even if you try feeding the ants

Two or three days after the close?

Oftentimes, they will reject food. You know even liquid food for that matter. I suspect that it's because

Maybe their mouthparts or even their internal parts are still I guess hardening or developing or who knows?

But it seems that they tend to reject food for the first few days

They don't starve so don't worry about that now after a week what I'll do is. I'll feed them liquid food

So I'll give them a drop of honey

Which is almost always readily accepted of course the Queen will also

benefit [from] that honey because if you were keeping a fully claustral

Species event she would have been fasting that whole period so she's depending on these first workers to give her

sustenance then

if it still seems like the ants are

Restless they're pulling at the cotton trying to get out

you know after a few days of

[having] their honey

I'll proceed to give them a cricket leg or something small a small piece [of]

insect or protein source you know that they can have

if you have access [to] fruit flies by all means use those

now try not to use flies from outside because

This is a danger of pesticides which you don't want to have to deal with especially this being a young colony

Eventually you know within two weeks the colony should be

feeding healthily

For the most part again, you know answer there's so many different kinds of ants. They all have different needs and and

even within the same species every colony can have a behavior of their own have a sort of master mind of their own, so

essentially you just kind of have to read them and

By the time you have a nice group of workers going. That's usually a good time to move them from

the test Tube to a formicarium

Now if you've raised them right off the bat in a formicarium like any of our AntsCanada formic area

Then you essentially don't have to worry because your whole [setup] will already be done

you can attach the formicarium to an out world already, and you know when the ants are ready, they'll

Venture out into the out world to go eat

[and] if you like, you can even deposit a drop of honey

Inside the formicarium for them to drink you know

And so yeah in terms of water you want to make sure

They're set up always has you know moisture. If it's a test Tube setup

[allow] them to move into a new setup if

The test Tube setup that the written is moldy or dry, and if they're in a formicarium of course be sure to

properly hydrate the formicarium and

Place a test Tube full of water into the out world

So that's essentially it you know if your ants aren't eating in the first few days

Like I said don't worry

[the] ants can the ants can last a few days without food for a little while. That's all and

Good luck on all your ants

That you're keeping for those of you who have captured [queen] Dia lates this year

Congratulations [and] for the first time antkeepers congratulations

You know it's certainly

an exciting thing an exciting process to watch and I know a lot of you right now are at the stage where your

[Queens] our founding colonies right now. They're in the initial founding stage

Which is great and I know most of us out [there] will

have

Hibernation coming up, and it's definitely another phase that our colonies will be moving into very soon

we'll be creating more videos on that later as

hibernation season approaches

Thanks again spread the [ant] love take care guys. Thanks for the support. Bye