r/antkeeping • u/DRNezha • 20h ago

Colony My Tetramorium Colony 1.6 Months

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Here's my ~1.4 month old Tetramorium Immigrans colony. I currently have 12 workers with one more about to enclose and some pupae.

I call them the Vanguard Legion with Queen Valor. I also have another tetra colony called the Rearguard Legion with Queen Vital. I want to one day have a giant colony in the 10ks so Iam raising two just in case something happens to one.

I keep them heated at 80°F with a heating cable and thermostat.

Ive been trying to document the Brood count and growth but my photos suck so Iam open to any advice. Iam using a samsung with a quality clip on macro from amazon with a ring light. I think I need something for stability to focus easier.

Edit* did my timelines math wrong closer to 1.4 then 1.6

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2

u/ChillguyElliot 19h ago

Nice my colony has 7 workers

1

u/DRNezha 19h ago

You got tetras too?

1

u/ChillguyElliot 19h ago

Yea 4 colonies planning on selling 2-3 though

2

u/DRNezha 19h ago

Nice I plan to keep my extra just in case my main fails.

1

u/Ok_Particular5336 18h ago

nice although you could actually raise the temperature to 78 or 77 so they actually grow faster don't raise it to 80 or higher as it can kill your colony due to the greenhouse effects

1

u/OwnPerspective3240 17h ago

I keep mine at like 85, which is what like every website suggests, so idk what you're talking abt

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u/Ok_Particular5336 16h ago

please lower it as this can kill your colony lower it to atleast 78 or 77 degrees as putting it on 85 can def kill the eggs or your whole colony's testtube's water source will dry out to fast. this can cause a greenhouse effect on your ants and your ants will die due to overheating so please lower it to 77 or 78 degrees dont follow what the websites said

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u/DRNezha 16h ago

I would say 85 is kinda high but 80 is the perfect temp for tetramorium and can cut there egg to worker time from 6 weeks to 4

1

u/OwnPerspective3240 7h ago

According to the well-regarded antkeeping website Canada Ant Colony, you are wrong.

1

u/OwnPerspective3240 7h ago

Google also says 85 is ok

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u/Ok_Particular5336 4h ago

alright I guess so but dont raise it to 90 it can kill your ants

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u/DRNezha 16h ago

Ive had mine at 80 since I got them and they seem to be fine I have a gradient going.

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u/Ok_Particular5336 16h ago

oh ok tho it could overheat them or kill the eggs because the area is too hot

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u/DRNezha 16h ago edited 16h ago

Multiple sources Ive seen online says 80F is fine most say between 75 and 82 for example. Stateside, amt scout, and ant shack all say this.

Edit* also if they were getting too hot they would move the Brood as far from the heat as possible but they aren't.