Daubz Atta cephalotes

[Britishants.com]

Don't sprinkle anything on the fungus, I've done this before and the ants used all their time removing it instead of attending to the fungus or Queen. I think it's because they haven't had time to clean it before it goes to the fungus. I'd close the vent above as per the pic I sent you of mine! The more you open the pod the more the conditions will become unstable.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Don't sprinkle anything on the fungus, I've done this before and the ants used all their time removing it instead of attending to the fungus or Queen. I think it's because they haven't had time to clean it before it goes to the fungus. I'd close the vent above as per the pic I sent you of mine! The more you open the pod the more the conditions will become unstable.

As a technique to try to kick start activity I think this is worth a try. If you are concerned about Seans point then only add one or two pieces and if you get a positive result then continue. Doesnt work every time. Like I say, this type of behaviour is generally a symptom of an underlying problem. And these types of problems are nearly always temperature or humidity.

[Deansie26]

Morning Daubz, lots of advice coming your way lol. I'm in assuming the heat mat and cable are on the same stat?
I'd cover your vent as Sean says, I've covered mine and its 5 times smaller, only a 4mm drill hole size. This will definitely help.
If you want to give it a little kick start cover it with a small tub for a few weeks like is talked about here

http://www.leafcuttingants.com/www.leaf ... &start=20q

I used one myself at the start of this colony, you can see a photo at the bottom off-the-first page

http://www.leafcuttingants.com/www.leaf ... ?f=13&t=24

Hope they start cutting buddy

[Daubz1977]

Im just heating the hole thing with the cable now. should i use both?

[Deansie26]

Im just heating the hole thing with the cable now. should i use both?

How long have you been using only by heat cable?
I'd use both in the same thermostat, have a small gap between the mat and pod. Put the thermometer in the pot on the clay till you know the temp is bang on.
Everyone's advice is given on what they would do personally, from there experience.

[Deansie26]

By the way, always best to make adjustments like this when your around to keep an eye.

[Daubz1977]

Ive just remembered i have a 4ft fish tank and heater in the shed, could i move them into a setup with heated water, if so how do i regulate the temperature and will i need to put a lid on it?

[Deansie26]

You could but I'd hold off, many people use these or similar and have success. Try tweaking it first.

[Britishants.com]

A small tub over the top is a great idea, I agree about any changes should be monitored! The fish tank might be the way forward! Uncle bob will be better advised to give you info on how to heat the water!
Lots of good advance coming out here, just worried that changing heat sources will lead to unstable conditions. Always best to play around with temperatures without the ants first. I've had a thermometer in a tank for three days testing out water heating pods and plaster!

[Daubz1977]

I discovered the problem just before i left for work, I bought a brand new thermometer for this setup and it was reading perfect at 24-24.5°c i put another thermometer in this morning to test and it said it was at 21.5 so the thermometer was wrong. I couldnt do much as i discovered this 5 mins before i went to work do ive turned the heat up a bit and asked my wife to monitor it for me, i will sort it out properly when i get home. Im just concerned now I have noticed this to late and i dont really want to disturb them to much but i think i will have to tonight as i think im going to have to move round the thermostat sensor and thermometer to get the conditions right. Also there isnt a great deal of fungus left now probably just over half what i started with. Im gutted i thought things were going well, cant believe a brand new thermometer would be that far out. hopefully i can pull this round.