98 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

This is a list of the most commonly asked about items and where to purchase them or what specifications to get.
 
None of these companies or websites are advertisers here. These are just the places that most of us have found to have the best product at the best price.
 
If anyone has any items to add or other purchasing locations, OR disagreements, this would be the place to discuss it. We will continue to add on to this list.
 
Anting equipment:
 
Aspirators
http://roseentomolog...sect-aspirator/
 

 
Test tubes (Glass is recommended, as it does not scratch and fog after repeated cleaning. 16mm or 18mm diameter will be fine for most ants. 150mm length is recommended to give most ants the space they need, and a large enough water reservoir to last until their first workers eclose)
https://www.kartersc..._p/pc-41a53.htm

 
Foam that can be used as test tube holders
https://www.amazon.c.../dp/B00TP7C9YY/

https://www.amazon.c...e/dp/B01LVW3F0I
 

Formicarium building materials:

Hydrostone
http://www.ebay.com/...=item259d814500
 
Amac Boxes
https://www.containe...ductId=10028594
https://www.amac1960...eries-packaging
 

 
Test Tube Foraging Containers.
http://www.maplecraf...pack-of-12.html
 


Mesh (100 micron mesh will keep ants of any size contained)
http://www.ebay.com/...ef sieve filter
 
Grout (Polyblend brand works well)
 
 
Food:
 
SUNBURST Ant Nectar
http://www.amazon.co...d/dp/B0101TS4IO
 
The Complete Ant Juice Ant Food Supplement
http://tarheelants.c...food-supplement
 
Rainbow mealworms.
http://www.rainbowmealworms.net
 
Pesticide-free Kentucky Bluegrass seed
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B5D0D58
https://www.amazon.c...duct/B0000CGPNY

Edited by dspdrew, July 30 2023 - 7:14 PM.

[William. T]

Food:

 

Add Rainbow mealworms. The best price at quality for mealworms. Mealworms are an ideal protein staple. Plus, they give you a lot of overcounts.

 

http://www.rainbowmealworms.net

 

 

Test Tubes:

 

Buy glass test tubes at LCM Labs for the best price, quality. 20mm or 18m is a good size. 

 

http://www.lcmlab.co...ts.asp?Cat=1120

Edited by William. T, August 14 2015 - 2:00 PM.

[AntsTexas]

i go to, family dollar ($20.00 and under) , dollar tree (everything's a dollar) and lowes for my stuff

[Subverted]

 Ant keeping equipment
 
Test tubes (Glass is recommended, as it does not scratch and fog after repeated cleaning. 16mm diameter will be fine for most ants. 100mm length is recommended to give most ants the space they need, and a large enough water reservoir to last until their first workers eclose)
http://www.lcmlab.co...s_p/41a20-w.htm
 

 

I really think that 150mm length is better for keeping ants...?

[Gregory2455]

 

 Ant keeping equipment
 
Test tubes (Glass is recommended, as it does not scratch and fog after repeated cleaning. 16mm diameter will be fine for most ants. 100mm length is recommended to give most ants the space they need, and a large enough water reservoir to last until their first workers eclose)
http://www.lcmlab.co...s_p/41a20-w.htm
 

 

I really think that 150mm length is better for keeping ants...?

 

Yeah, 16x150 Pyrex is the best. The three on the list there that are basically on the bottom over the single bottom one are ideal.

[dspdrew]

 

 Ant keeping equipment
 
Test tubes (Glass is recommended, as it does not scratch and fog after repeated cleaning. 16mm diameter will be fine for most ants. 100mm length is recommended to give most ants the space they need, and a large enough water reservoir to last until their first workers eclose)
http://www.lcmlab.co...s_p/41a20-w.htm
 

 

I really think that 150mm length is better for keeping ants...?

 

 

Sorry I meant to put 150.

[William. T]

What about Skewers? I find that some of them don't snap off with little strands that stick on the cotton.

[LC3]

What about Skewers? I find that some of them don't snap off with little strands that stick on the cotton.

Maybe it's the way you snap them?

[stuhrike]

What about Skewers? I find that some of them don't snap off with little strands that stick on the cotton.

I use long handled q tips made from wood where there's only cotton on one side.  I don't even need to break the q tip to get cotton to wrap around the end

[prettycode]

 

Formicarium building materials

Hydrostone
http://www.ebay.com/...=item259d814500
 

 

Regarding the Hydrostone Gypsum Cement, what colors is it? 

 

I've seen sites like TarHeelAnts (THA) make their formicaria available in different colors.

 

If I were to get this Hydrostone Gypsum Cement you've linked, how might I color it, like THA does? 

 

In my mind, I'd prefer everything be as light of a color as possible--so the ants have a higher contrast against it, making them more easily spottable.

Edited by prettycode, August 20 2015 - 1:35 PM.

[Crystals]

Nice thread.  I have added it to the List of Handy Links thread, near the bottom (pinned in the General Section).

 

I use 18mm x 150mm test tubes, but I usually target the larger species like Formica and Camponotus.  I buy them from Fisher Scientific or off of Ebay.

I use acrylic test tubes for in the field (they are actually shooter tubes from the dollar store in the party section).

 

For Grout, I use a Polyblend brand, and usually get mine from Home Depot. Most stores with floor tiles will have grout of some type.

 

For Firebrick, I get them from Canadian Tire (in the indoor fireplace section), or from local pottery suppliers who sell kilns.

 

For Feeder cultures, I tend to get them from local aquarium, reptile, or frog hobbyists.  Or I just post a wanted add on the local online Kijiji.ca or Craigslist.

 

For glass, I buy cheap picture frames from dollar stores.

 

For foraging areas, I can find some small cheap clear containers from certain dolalr stores, but I tend to buy those cheap acrylic fish tanks, like those betta tanks from Walmart or various pet stores.  I get small 4x4x4" foraging areas from uline.ca as they sell in bulk.  25 containers for $51 + shipping (about the best I can seem to find in rural Canada with our limited selection).

 

For steel mesh for ventilation holes, because I am in rural Canada, I cannot buy the plain mesh in stores and shipping is killer.  I buy those frying pan splash covers from the dollar stores and simply use that mesh.  I double layer it for Lasius and Crematogaster.

 

For ant keeping supplies, I consider static free tweezers and featherweight forceps mandatory.  I use the strong static free tweezers to work in the foraging areas of larger colonies, and the featherweight forceps whenever I need to manually move/catch ants or brood.  I get these off of ebay, although I sometimes get the featherweight forceps from other science supply companies.

 

I also get small scissors to cut up insects from the dollar store.

[William. T]

Buy distilled or bottled water if you can. Removes all the problems you get with tap water.

[klawfran3]

What size vinyl tubing do you guys use? I'm getting all the supplies together so I can make some little formicaria but I can't seem to find the appropriate size tubing. is 3/4" too big?

[Mannomorth]

Would love if we cleaned up some threads so the top comment is all links combined. And perhaps shipping info aswell?

 

 

Website: Antstore.net

 

Content: Pretty much anything antrelated

 

Shipping: Only Europe

[dspdrew]

To keep from ultimately making an index of half the internet, I was just planning to list specific exceptional deals, or places to purchase hard-to-find items. Mainly I created this as an FAQ for purchasing so we have something to link to instead of answering the same questions over and over.

[Kwitzats]

I need some tubes the plastic ones I ordered are cloudy, are the lcm ones really 4 or 5 bucks for a 25 pack? How fast do they ship?

[drtrmiller]

I need some tubes the plastic ones I ordered are cloudy, are the lcm ones really 4 or 5 bucks for a 25 pack? How fast do they ship?

Quickly.

[Confrere]

I need some tubes the plastic ones I ordered are cloudy, are the lcm ones really 4 or 5 bucks for a 25 pack? How fast do they ship?

 

I'd suggest getting the 150mm tubes, 100mm won't hold a lot of water and will dry out long before they run out of room. There's more room for the ants as well.

[EstuaryAnts]

So only $2.68 for 25 test tubes? damn.

[Kwitzats]

Btw as far as plastic tubes, pc ones which are very clear, break easily and are not very clear after they rattle around in a cargo pocket for hours. Still i prefer plastic for catching.