Moving Ants From a Test Tube to a New Formicarium - AntsCanada Tutorial #17

Summary

In this tutorial, Ants Canada demonstrates the process of relocating an ant colony from a test tube to a new formicarium. Key steps include using a test tube portal for a smooth transition, maintaining darkness for the ants' comfort, and applying heat to encourage movement. The video emphasizes patience and careful monitoring to ensure the ants, including the queen, safely move to their new home without harm.

Takeaways

• 🐜 The tutorial is about moving an ant colony from a test tube to a new formicarium.
• 🌐 The presenter is Ants Canada, who is known for providing helpful tutorials.
• 🏡 A formicarium is a specialized habitat for ants, often with features like museum glass for low reflection.
• 👩‍🔬 The ideal colony for moving should have a few worker ants to help the queen, not just the queen alone.
• 🔧 A special tool like the 'Ants Canada Test Tube Portal' is recommended for the process, but alternatives like tape or cotton can be used.
• 🔗 The test tube portal is attached to the nest, facilitating the ants' transition from the test tube to the new habitat.
• 🌡️ Heating the test tube with a heating cable or mat is a method to encourage ants to move, as they dislike the heat.
• 💧 Watering the entrance of the new nest helps attract ants by providing a moist area, which is desirable for them.
• 🕒 Patience is key; ants may take time to discover and adapt to the new habitat, so the process should be monitored closely.
• 👀 It's crucial to observe the queen and the colony to ensure they are not harmed by the heat, as too much can be detrimental.
• 🌟 The success of the move is marked by the ants adapting to the new nest and beginning to inhabit it, which may take up to 24 hours.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the tutorial video?

The tutorial video is about how to move an ant colony from a test tube to a new formicarium.

Who is the presenter of the tutorial?

The presenter of the tutorial is Ants Canada.

What type of habitat is recommended for the ant colony in the tutorial?

The recommended habitat is a large black formicarium with museum glass that has a low reflection index.

What is the minimum size of the colony that should be moved according to the tutorial?

The tutorial suggests having at least a few worker ants in the colony to assist the queen, rather than just the queen alone.

What is a 'test tube portal' and how is it used in the tutorial?

A 'test tube portal' is a tool sold by Ants Canada that facilitates the transfer of an ant colony from a test tube to a formicarium. It is attached to the nest and connected to the test tube.

Why is it important to cover the nest after attaching the test tube portal?

Covering the nest creates a dark environment which is more conducive for the ants to move into the new nest.

What role does heat play in the process of moving the ant colony?

Heat is used to make the test tube uncomfortable for the ants, prompting them to move towards the cooler area of the new nest.

What alternative method can be used if a heating cable is not available?

If a heating cable is not available, a heating mat can be used as an alternative to apply heat to the test tube.

How does the tutorial suggest watering the setup during the move?

The tutorial suggests watering the entrance of the new nest to provide a moist area that attracts the ants.

What should be observed when using heat to move the ant colony?

It is important to closely monitor the ants to ensure they are not getting injured or dying from too much heat.

What is the recommended time frame to observe the ants moving into the new nest?

The tutorial indicates that it may take up to 24 hours for the ants to fully adapt to and move into the new nest.

Outlines

00:00

🐜 Introduction to Ant Colony Transfer Tutorial

AntsCanada introduces a tutorial on transferring an ant colony from a test tube to a new formicarium. The presenter highlights the need for a growing colony to have a few worker ants to assist the queen and mentions the use of a special tool, the 'test tube portal', to facilitate the move. The tutorial also showcases a new nest with museum glass for low reflection and a heating cable for inducing the ants to move.

05:01

🔥 Using Heat to Encourage Ant Colony Relocation

The second paragraph describes a method of using heat to encourage the ants to move from the test tube to the new nest. The heating cable is wrapped around the test tube, making it uncomfortable for the ants, prompting them to seek a cooler area. The presenter suggests watering the setup to provide a moist area for the ants and emphasizes the importance of patience, allowing the ants to move at their own pace while monitoring the queen and colony's health.

10:02

👀 Monitoring and Adjusting the Ant Relocation Process

In the final paragraph, the presenter advises on the careful use of heat to move the ant colony, ensuring that the ants are not harmed by excessive temperatures. The video script mentions that after 24 hours, the ants have begun to adapt to the new environment, with scouts exploring the new nest. The presenter encourages viewers to subscribe for more content and thanks the audience for their support, reminding them to be vigilant in monitoring the ant colony's relocation process.

Keywords

💡Ant Colony

An ant colony refers to the collective group of ants living together in a nest, typically led by a queen and comprising workers and other ants. In the video, the main focus is on moving an ant colony from a test tube to a new nest, ensuring a smooth transition for the entire group.

💡Test Tube

A test tube is a small glass or plastic tube used to hold and culture the ant colony initially. The video explains how to move the ant colony from this test tube into a new nest, highlighting the importance of maintaining the ants' well-being during the transfer.

💡Formicarium

A formicarium is a special habitat designed to house ant colonies, often used for observing and studying ants. The video demonstrates setting up a new formicarium for the ant colony and transferring the ants from the test tube to this new environment.

💡Queen Ant

The queen ant is the reproductive female in an ant colony responsible for laying eggs. The video emphasizes the importance of having the queen and a few workers for a successful transfer to the new nest, as the queen plays a crucial role in the colony's survival and growth.

💡Heating Cable

A heating cable is a tool used to generate heat, making the test tube uncomfortable for the ants and encouraging them to move to the new nest. The video details how to use the heating cable to gradually heat the test tube, prompting the ants to seek a cooler, safer environment in the formicarium.

💡Test Tube Portal

The test tube portal is a device that facilitates the connection between the test tube and the new nest, making the transfer process easier. In the video, the test tube portal is recommended for its convenience, although alternatives like using tape or cotton are also mentioned.

💡Outworld

The outworld is an area outside the main nest where ants can forage and explore. The video suggests connecting the test tube portal to the outworld to manage any ants that may escape during the transfer process, ensuring they can rejoin the colony safely.

💡Brood

Brood refers to the young ants, including eggs, larvae, and pupae, within the colony. The video shows how the ants react to the heating cable by moving the brood to cooler areas, highlighting the importance of protecting these young members during the transfer.

💡Moisture

Moisture is crucial for the ants' new environment, as it helps create a hospitable and comfortable habitat. The video advises watering the new nest setup to attract the ants, ensuring they find the new formicarium appealing and conducive to their needs.

💡Nuptial Flight

Nuptial flight is the mating flight of ant queens and males, during which new colonies are established. The video encourages viewers who have caught queens during the nuptial flight season to use the described method for moving their colonies, emphasizing the timing and relevance of the tutorial for new ant keepers.

Highlights

Introduction to a tutorial on moving an ant colony from a test tube to a new formicarium.

The tutorial is for those who have requested guidance on introducing a new colony to a brand new formicarium.

The use of a special nest with museum glass for low reflection, enhancing clarity for the ant colony.

The ideal colony should have a few members to assist the queen in labor, not just the queen doing all the work.

The necessity of a test tube portal for an easy and convenient transfer of the ant colony.

Alternative methods for those without a test tube portal, such as using tape or cotton.

Instructions on attaching the test tube portal to the nest and preparing it for the ants.

The importance of covering the nest to create a dark environment for the ants.

Using a heating cable or mat to encourage ants to move due to discomfort from heat.

The ants' reaction to heat, prompting them to seek a cooler and darker area.

The process of ants discovering the new nest as a safe haven and gradually moving the brood.

The recommendation to be patient and allow the ants to move into the new nest naturally.

The observation of scout ants checking out the new habitat, indicating a positive sign.

The queen's initiation to move into the tube after 24 hours, showing progress in the colony's adaptation.

A cautionary note on using heat to move colonies, emphasizing the need for care and supervision.

The reminder to monitor the queen and the colony to ensure they are not harmed by excessive heat.

A closing note of thanks for support and an invitation to subscribe for more ant-related content.

Transcripts

[Music]

hey what's up guys it's your boy ants

Canada here once again bringing you

another random but helpful tutorial now

a lot of you have emailed us sent us

messages commented on videos asking for

this tutorial and finally here it is

this tutorial is basically gonna go over

probably one of the best ways to move an

ant colony into your new nest from a

test-tube we do have a tutorial on how

to move a colony from a nest to another

nest but this tutorial will cover how to

introduce a new colony that you've

essentially cultured in a test tube to a

brand new form aquarium so I hope you

enjoy this video this is for you guys

and check it out

hello everybody this tutorial will cover

how to transport your colonies and queen

from a test tube into a brand new forma

karyam now this form aquarium here is a

large black habitat nest which can be

found at our store at the and Canada and

store at seannal.com and this special

nest has museum glass which has low

reflection index it's pretty pretty

clear there and this nest will be a home

to a growing crematogaster colony I'm

going to go over how to efficiently move

your colony from a test-tube into a

brand new nest now ideally you want the

colony to at least be a few members you

know a few workers because you don't

want the Queen to have to do all the

work

it's usually helpful to have workers to

split the labor now what you'll need of

course is a nest and you'll need your

queen and colony in a test tube and

you'll need a special tool like this

this is actually 2/3 of a product that

we sell at the end Canada and store

called a and Canada test tube portal now

if you don't have a test tube portal you

may have to use tape or simply use

cotton and wedge the cotton in between

the empty spaces but with our test tube

portals it's actually very very

convenient and made a lot easier ok so

what I'm going to do is I'm going to

attach this test tube portal to the nest

now this opening here I already have it

connected to a tube with a carbon block

at the end it's actually more helpful if

you have this connected to a note world

already so that any ants that are left

over or escaped or escaped can be thrown

into the out world to join their family

after and now so I'm going to now attach

this test to portal to the back of this

nest now if you don't have a test tube

portal just cut a short about one and a

half inch tube to attach from the test

tube to the nest as we go

Mary oh sweet okay so now that we have

that the ants are now connected to the

test-tube portal and ready to be placed

into the nest

now the colony is alarmed what I want to

do next here is to cover this nest so

it's nice and dark I'm gonna do that

right now

and cover the nest

here we go so the nest is nice and

covered now what you're gonna need next

is some heat so what I like to use is a

heating cable if you don't have a

heating cable you can always use

something like this which is a heating

mat and it's only the lower whopped

[Applause]

see heating mat but I like to use the

heating cable because it's easier to

apply to the test tube

now the idea is to basically heat the

test tube

little by little and the ants don't like

it they end up moving

so with this heating cable I'm just

going to touch this and wrap it around a

few times here now this will make the

test tube very uncomfortable for the

ants

[Music]

okay so what I have here is I've got the

heating cable attached to the test tube

simply by wrapping it around the test

tube and the ants immediately begin

reacting to the heat and looking for a

place to transport the young now if you

leave this set up to run the ants will

eventually begin transporting the young

and even the Queen to much cooler areas

and ideally you want them to discover

this safe haven you have for them no it

also helps to water the setup so I'm

gonna do that now water this closest

entrance this of course is our

state-of-the-art habitat nests with

highly absorbent walls

good the ants will eventually find this

moist area and say look I found a moist

area and a cooler area and a darker area

now you see how they've moved the brood

away from where the heating cable is now

as they do that all you have to do is

simply move the heating cable higher and

higher all it takes is one ant to

discover the new home and the eventually

all mobilize really it would be best to

be patient and let the house move in on

their own but you guys have asked for a

method in which you can move the ants if

they aren't

you know induced by light or join us to

make the move so heat is one way but you

should always keep a good eye on the

Queen and the rest of the colony to make

sure they're not burning now you see

here if you look at the habitats nest we

have a few scouts checking out the new

property which is a very good sign

more and more ants are checking out the

new habitat nest and eventually these

ants will make their way back to the

colony who currently is looking for a

new location to set up and they'll move

in so let's continue to keep this

covered here

the Queen has already begun to proceed

into the tube

okay guys so it's been 24 hours and

presently the ants have adapted the two

as their home for now which is fine

because you know sometimes ant colonies

aren't as open to changing locations

right away but eventually this colony

will begin to make their way into the

nest so there you go

a successful move hope you enjoyed this

tutorial thanks guys and there you have

it so best of luck to all of you guys

with your growing colonies

congratulations again to all of you out

there who have caught Queens this year

during the nuptial flight if you haven't

be sure to keep your eye open still if

you live in North America because

they're still flying you know up until

September you should be able to find

Queens this method described here using

heat to move your colonies should be

done with care and under close

supervision because you don't want your

aunt's to cook so you just got to

basically be there throughout the whole

process

make sure and start acting funny and

started flipping on their backs and you

know weird things like that cuz you

don't want to kill them then of course

too much heat can essentially injure and

possibly kill the food which you don't

want so hope this is helpful to all of

you guys and thanks again for all the

support if you haven't yet be sure to

subscribe I'm enjoying the ants Canada

YouTube family thanks again guys take

care

[Music]

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