Humidity, mold and warning signs

Humidity, mold and warning signs

Most problems in a young colony come from the environment, not the species. Learning to read the signs prevents losses and keeps the queen safe.

1. Get the humidity right

Neither too dry nor soaked:

• The cotton should be damp, not dripping.
• Refill the water before the tube dries out completely.
• Each species has its ideal range — research yours.

2. Fight mold

Mold is the number one enemy of the founding stage:

• It grows from food scraps and stagnant humidity.
• If it shows up in the tube, move to a clean tube.
• Never leave dead insects more than a day or two.

3. Recognize the warning signs

Stay alert and act early:

1. Queen still in a corner, no eggs for a long time.
2. Slow, clustered or dead workers.
3. Bad smell or dark stains in the nest.

Tip: log every abnormality in AntNotation. A dated history helps you — and the community — figure out what went wrong.

Watching early means caring better! 🐜