15 replies to this topic

[BugFinder]

So my P. Californicus colony died, and I want to re-use the talus they were in for another colony, but I want to clean it and sterilize it first.  There is quite a bit of mildew in there (I think it got knocked into there when I moved the ants from their test tube and it grew in the talus like crazy).

 

If anyone has any ideas how to get rid of that mold and rejuvenate the talus, I'd really appreciate it.

 

Thanks,

[BugFinder]

It was just suggested I soak it in alcohol, then rinse with warm water, and let dry.  

 

Any ideas, thoughts, criticisms?  Thanks.

[drtrmiller]

There is no way to "sterilize" and kill mold spores with alcohol alone. As I've said before, ethanol alcohol is a waste product of yeast, and can kill them, but not spores.

Only heat will kill the spores and sterilize. Is the thing made of glass? If so, it would make sense to me that it should be baked according to dry heat sterilization protocols. Google will help, there. Plaster must be dry or could cause glass or plaster to crack when heated.

[BugFinder]

Thanks Terry.  I think it's plastic with ytong inside it.

[Foogoo]

I usually swish some alcohol around in it. This last week I've been leaving them to bake in the afternoon sun. I'm hoping the heat and UV will kill some of the remaining bad guys.

[Miles]

There is no Y-tong inside of a Talus. It is a different, moldable material (that's all I know). 

I have seen some online content suggesting that UV light can kill mold spores. Is this true?

[drtrmiller]

I'm not sure about the UV lamps, lasers, and ionization technologies they use in commercial UV sterilizers, but if sunlight killed mold spores, then I've got some bad news for the mushrooms on my front lawn.

Edited by drtrmiller, March 30 2015 - 7:07 PM.

[Foogoo]

There is no Y-tong inside of a Talus. It is a different, moldable material (that's all I know). 

I have seen some online content suggesting that UV light can kill mold spores. Is this true?

 

My experience from the water industry and years of being an aquarium nut is yes, but many variables including wavelength and intensity come into play. Which is why I'm hoping the heat will contribute to their death as well.

[Jonathan21700]

Isn't it made from grout?

[Crystals]

...but if sunlight killed mold spores, then I've got some bad news for the mushrooms on my front lawn.

Hilarious. 

[Miles]

Isn't it made from grout?

No.

[JakobS]

I imagine BugFinder probably doesn't have this issue anymore, but for those of you currently with moldy Talus, or other founding chambers they sound like the perfect environment for hungry springtails or isopods to take over for a time. As they would eat the mold spores, the problem of spores being leftover after use of various chemicals is not an issue. And, since many ant species we work with are claustral, they can stick around when the founding queen is introduced into the springtail/isopod cleaned chamber and not be decimated by a hungry ant!  True, since it appears that isopods maybe annoying to some ants, springtails would be better in going forward. This allows for a mold free chamber while the queen lays her eggs, and snack for her young when they appear. For semi-claustral queens, they can be replenished when she or her young decide to prey on them as well. It may take a little longer than simply washing, but its neat to see one insect clean up after another!

Edited by JakobS, June 14 2015 - 5:54 PM.

[Foogoo]

Got any pictures of what they look like in the wild?

[JakobS]

I do not have a photo of them personally, but if you search for photos "springtails in soil" they should provide a good idea. They can be rather small, as many thousands will be found within a square foot of soil. And though you can easily collect them from the wild, many reptile supply stores have them in cultures to add to vivariums as janitors and food for their lizards, geckos etc. 

[BugFinder]

I imagine BugFinder probably doesn't have this issue anymore, but for those of you currently with moldy Talus, or other founding chambers they sound like the perfect environment for hungry springtails or isopods to take over for a time. As they would eat the mold spores, the problem of spores being leftover after use of various chemicals is not an issue. And, since many ant species we work with are claustral, they can stick around when the founding queen is introduced into the springtail/isopod cleaned chamber and not be decimated by a hungry ant!  True, since it appears that isopods maybe annoying to some ants, springtails would be better in going forward. This allows for a mold free chamber while the queen lays her eggs, and snack for her young when they appear. For semi-claustral queens, they can be replenished when she or her young decide to prey on them as well. It may take a little longer than simply washing, but its neat to see one insect clean up after another!

Actually, I have three used taluses.  One is really moldy, the other two are slightly moldy and getting worse.  I would love to put springtales in them.  Where do you suggest I get some?

[dspdrew]

I have a nice big springtail culture in one of my usual constantly hydrated containers (http://www.formicult...ingtail-culture). All I have to do from time to time is sprinkle some fish food in them so a little mold grows and they get fed. Springtail cultures are pretty easy to make, just look online. I sprinkle springtails into anything damp that I want to remain mold-free.