Adoption module for Ants (To be used when an Ant Queen dies)

THIS IS JUST MY EXPERIENCE, AND I WANT TO TELL IT TO YOU.
IF YOU TRY THIS, IT IS JUST AT YOUR OWN RISK.
ANYWAY, I HOPE THE ADOPTION WORKS FOR YOUR ANTS!

...BUT I MAINLY HOPE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THIS MODULE.
I WISH YOU LUCK!!!

Hi, I'm very glad to present this design to you because I have a few ant colonies, and one mont ago I lost one of the Queens, so the rest of ants of that nest stayed without a "boss" or "mother".
The problem is that if you lose a queen, the ants die whith the time and no more new ants comes to the colony. So, in a few of time they all will be died :'(

I decided to do a test and try to make an adoption using another of my colonies.

After desing an adoption módule, I tested it and IT WORKED!! :D
They all are together and stay on peace now.

The adoption module consists in just a box with the appropiate shape to be connected to my other formicariums, and it also has an opening where we insert a special gate with a very fine metal mesh.

At the beginning of the experiment I had two colonies: One with a queen, and one without a queen.

I connected both colonies with the adoption module, and they stayed connected during two weeks, just having contact through the metal mesh. During this time they were sharing their smell.

After this adaptation period, to avoid too extress in the ants, I put the ants in the fridge (DO NOT USE THE FREEZER, they can die). After ten minutes they were very relaxed, with slow movements... It was the perfect moment to remove the gate that has the metal mesh, and insert a new gate with just a hole, without any mesh.

After a few of minutes, when the temperature reached an appropiate level, they explored the new rooms and became more active.

Now, when I'm writting this experience, they are very good.

Other info:
My ants are Messor barbarus, and they are very small colonies...I think they are less than fifty individuals.

To build the gate and install the metal mesh, you have to print two times the stl called "Lateral_rejillasV2.stl" and put inside (like a sandwich) the mesh. You have to stick it with glue. Then, there is another part, called "Holder.stl". You have to insert the "sandwich" in its opening, and stick it too with glue.

To get the mesh I used the filter of a water tap. If you use it, be sure that it is very thin. If not, the ants will pass across the mesh, and they are at risk.

I hope you understood my bad english.

Well, it is a little embarrassing for me, but... If you like my designs, please think about donate on my PayPal -> onasiis@gmail.com
Thanks! It will help and motivate me to continue creating new and better models.

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