5 replies to this topic

[Jean]

Hey All,

 

Am wondering if this looks like mold in my formicarium...kind of leaning toward yes.

 

If so, what on earth do I do? Have had these gals in this home only about 3 months.

 

I fill the water tower nearly full daily - am now wondering if this is way too often.

 

Also posting a recent pic of the adorable c. Cerasi drinking (not from water tower) in the outworld.

 

Thanks!

 

Album: mold and c.cerasi

3 images

0 comments

Edited by Jean, March 27 2019 - 8:12 PM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Yes that's mold. You don't really have to worry about it too much. It's growing there because your ants have probably piled trash near the edges where the nest comes into contact with the glass, which is normal. I wouldn't bother with the mold because it's not likely to hurt your ants. In fact, for them, it's just all part of the terrain. Since it is also growing from the ants' waste, you can just wait until it starts becoming a nuisance and obscuring your view of the ants or if it grows too fast.

[Zeiss]

That indeed looks like mold to me. If you want to clean it out, my opinion would be to remove the colony, clean it with dilute bleach or just 70-90% isopropyl alcohol, rinse it with water, then let out to dry.  I would let the nest dry a bit before adding any more water when giving it to the colony.

Edited by Zeiss, March 27 2019 - 8:32 PM.

[drtrmiller]

I can't tell whether it's mold or algae on the front glass.  Unless I just was unable to see the same thing everyone else is talking about, I wouldn't recommend doing a thing.  Ants that live in dirt and dead wood and other outdoor spaces are going to be exposed to all kinds of molds and microorganisms.

 

Mold in a test tube or formicarium is typically only unhealthy if it gets out of control.  What I see in the photo should be able to be managed by avoiding feeding the colony large prey items which are dragged whole into the nest, or overfeeding in general.  Also try to keep the temperature stable so there isn't an opportunity for condensation to occur on any of the surfaces, as wet surfaces can become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria.

[Jean]

Thanks for this great feedback. Less water in the tower is a good idea. I will otherwise monitor for out-of-control mold and not worry about cleaning when (or if) that happens.

[anttics]

Get springtales. They eat mold. I used ut on my terrariums formicariums