New Colony Arrival & Safe Transfer
A calm, repeatable week-one workflow to prevent flooding, mold, and escapes.
Why this matters
After shipping or field collection, ants are fragile. Strong light, vibration, and sudden temperature/humidity swings cause stress. Use the “contrast method” (dark nest / brighter outworld; humid brood chamber / dry fallback) plus low disturbance so the colony chooses the nest naturally.
Quick checklist
| Item | Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer bin | ≥ 20×30 cm | Paint inner rim with 10–15 mm escape barrier; wait until fully dry. |
| Nest prep | Humid 1/3–1/2 + Dry ≥1/3 | Cover 3 sides with black paper/cloth; keep one vent side light. |
| Light | Lamp LOW at 30–50 cm | Never aim the beam into the nest chambers. |
| Tools & feed | Tweezers, 2–5 ml dropper, foil; sugar water 15% | For non-sugar species: plain water or tiny protein. |
Build the scene (two contrasts)
Light: Dark nest vs brighter outworld
Wrap the nest on three sides; keep the outworld gently lit. Quick check: you can read labels in the outworld but cannot see inside chambers.
Moisture: Humid brood chamber vs dry fallback
Humidify 1/3–1/2 of the nest to a moist, non-shiny haze (no rolling droplets); leave at least 1/3 dry. Outworld stays dry.
Transfer methods (pick one)
| Method | Best for | Pros | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big-bin transfer | Most beginners | Safest; clear control of light & humidity contrast | Let barrier fully cure before opening |
| Tubing link | Nests with outworld | Hands-off relocation | Darken chambers sufficiently |
Pouring techniques
- Natural release: place the original container inside the bin and open; let ants relocate.
- Barrier-edge: paint a small ring near the outlet, cure, then invert and open so workers drop in.
- Shock-tap: tilt 45–60°, give short light taps; brood moves with a slightly damp swab.
Avoid: violent shaking, long bright exposure, or aiming the lamp at chambers.
Week-one rhythm (day by day)
| Day | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sugars/water only; clean after 2–4 h | Avoids mold/flooding on first day |
| Day 2–3 | Add tiny protein (½ segment); clean next day | Supports brood without residue |
| Day 4–7 | Protein 2×/week + sugars/water always | Slow, steady intake; low stress |
| After Day 7 | If avoiding nest, increase contrast | Darker/more humid nest; brighter/drier outworld |
Targets (pin these)
| Parameter | Target | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar mix | 15% (1:5) | Safe default, easy intake |
| First droplet | 3–5 mm | Prevents flooding & mold |
| Temperature | 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) | Supports brood |
| Nest humidity | 60–80% RH | Moist haze, no beads |
| Checks | 1–2×/day, ≤1 min | Prevents panic & escapes |
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Condensation/fog | Too wet or temp swing | Vent 10–15 min; add water in smaller doses next time |
| Won’t enter nest | Nest too bright/dry/hot | Add cover; +0.2–0.5 ml to humid zone; lamp farther |
| Mites/mold after feed | Residue left too long | Serve on foil; liquids 2–4 h, protein ≤6 h |
| Climbing escapes | Barrier not cured / too narrow | Clean rim; repaint 10–15 mm; use only when fully dry |
Layout diagram
[ Lamp (LOW) ] 30–50 cm
↓
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Transfer Bin (rim barrier) │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ New Nest │◄◄ 3 sides │ ← inside: 1/3–1/2 humid zone
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ (foil: tiny sugar drop) │
└──────────────────────────────┘
Responsible keeping
Never release captive ants. Check local regulations. If you can’t continue, please rehome responsibly.
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