29 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

They got out? That's crazy. I have no idea how they did that. A cat bumping into it couldn't possibly hurt it, unless it knocked it on the floor or something, then yeah, that for sure would cause a problem. I would say just wait 'till you have larger ants. The reason I say is because it wouldn't be impossible for really small ants to find their way through the pores in the Ytong since the sides of the nest are only 3 mm thick.

[Vendayn]

It did get knocked actually, I was cleaning it (got dusty on the outside from when dad cleaned the garage) and set it a few inches off the ground on a little platform of sorts and the cat made it tip over and fall a bit. It wasn't a huge fall, and nothing broke. Just got a bit loose.

 

Well, I really want to try Forelius, but they are kind of small. The other one which may work is Pheidole hyatti (they are medium-sized and wouldn't have an issue), and I LOVE those ones. My colony had tons of brood, and I see a lot around here have them and do great with P. hyatti. However, I don't see anywhere on your map I could get to that have them.

 

However, I do see the closest Pheidole hyatti being by Irvine lake (and Pheidole vistana). I don't really know how to get there, and that might be a really long drive. Looks a good extra 20 minutes further than Trabuco Canyon from my location. I'd have to go early, looks like a really long hike up that trail. I'm guessing you are allowed to walk up there?

 

(edit: Ah I see it now, off Santiago Rd...that isn't too far actually. I really really did not like the part of Trabuco Canyon I went up. I told you I think on Antdude's forum, but place was filled with trash, offroaders, torn up trails and there was used adult things that I won't post and beer bottles all along there. I wouldn't go there at night, lol)

 

Anyway, as for the formicarium, no scratches or anything. So that is good. I'll be using Pheidole hyatti/vistana most likely for it. You think they'd be a good sized ant? They are kind of medium sized if I recall.

Edited by Vendayn, March 3 2015 - 6:35 PM.

[dspdrew]

Pheidole hyatti are still a bit small. I would go with something like Camponotus, Pogonomyrmex, Veromessor, Myrmecocystus, or maybe Liometopum occidentale.

 

Yeah, the first part of Trabuco Canyon, the part between all the private property does kind of resemble a dump in some places. The spot you're talking about by Irvine Lake is Black Star Canyon. That road is always closed so you have to walk a long ways before you get to anything good. I wouldn't go to Black Star Canyon at night either, but that's because I don't want to be eaten by a mountain lion. I walked that whole road one time alone in the dark, and that was pretty creepy.

[Vendayn]

I'd thought I'd give an update. I don't know what happened, as I haven't even touched it for about a month or so. Its been sitting on the shelf getting ready to use. I had Pogonomyrmex californicus in there, and moved them (they had a lot so were already running out of space). I cleaned it out with purified water (nothing else) and a clean towel. But, any time I put workers in there they die really fast. I put some Pheidole megacephala workers in the formicarium and they were dead the following morning. Put a couple Pogonomyrmex workers in and they too died after a few hours. I then put a few Argentine ants and a queen, and then they too died after a few hours. Even put a few Solenopsis invicta workers in, and they too died really shortly. They all started twitching and looked sickly.

 

It hasn't been touched with any chemicals or anything, and its clean. So, not sure what is going on. Maybe the Pogonomyrmex had something on them (but I did clean it). Though my Pogonomyrmex colony (the one that was in it) is still as good as ever.

Edited by Vendayn, May 22 2015 - 6:54 PM.

[Ants4fun]

Maybe the towel had something on it...

[Vendayn]

No, just a towel. I even smelled it, and smells like a normal towel. It was never used for anything except cleaning ant farms. And it was recently out of the washer/dryer too. But, I use the same towel for all my other ant farms and it doesn't have any issues.

[dspdrew]

No idea what could be going on. I have colonies in my two remaining prototypes that are using the same exact nest, and they are both doing VERY well. That particular formicarium is purely made of polystyrene, acrylic, vinyl tubing, epoxy, epoxy resin, Ytong, and stainless steel--none of which are even remotely dangerous to insects. Maybe you should try cleaning it out again. You should be able to remove the nest itself so you can wash it.

[Vendayn]

Yeah, I'll try the sink this time and use soap. It could have been something that got in or something. Or maybe the Pogonomyrmex had something on them that got in, and I didn't get out properly. I noticed some workers have this white fungus stuff on them (from the colonies outside, the plants around here get it too and the Argentine ants). It could be that.

[Vendayn]

I washed it all out with water/soap under the sink. Then I put some Argentine ants in and its been a few hours, but they are still completely fine. Before they would have been dead by now. There must have been something that got in or something that was bad. Maybe paint particles got in when dad was painting or something and it was toxic for the ants. Or the Pogonomyrmex brought something with them. In any case, its all good now.

[dspdrew]

Good to hear.