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Adding springtails to THA Formicariums

Started By ANTdrew , Apr 7 2020 5:23 PM

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13 replies to this topic

#1 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 7 2020 - 5:23 PM

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I’m curious if anyone out there has done this? I’ve had success adding them to my terrariums, and I’d like to get a clean up crew in my Crematogasters’ Nucleus.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#2 Offline justanotheramy - Posted April 7 2020 - 8:31 PM

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Is it ever bad to add springtails?


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#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 8 2020 - 2:37 AM

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Is it ever bad to add springtails?

Never! My worry is that the conditions might not suit the springtails without natural substrate.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline Superant33 - Posted April 8 2020 - 3:54 AM

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I added coconut fiber and spring tails. Works great.

#5 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:05 AM

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I added coconut fiber and spring tails. Works great.

yeah, add some natural substrate and spring tails and it'll be all good


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:37 AM

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Sounds good. But I’m dealing with a 1200-1500 Crematogaster colony. There’s no easy way for me to add substrate without all holy mother of heck breaking loose.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:39 AM

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Add it to the outworld. If they want it, they can get it, if they don't then you can kick it up a notch


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#8 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:40 AM

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They'll probably want it tho so they could ventilate their nest and hide the queen possibly...  


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#9 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 9 2020 - 11:59 AM

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I just scooped up some soil with springtails in it from my culture and added it to the outworld of my Nucleus. We’ll see how this goes.
I will try to shove some springtail loaded soil in the hole for their nestmate the next time I refill it, as well.

Edited by ANTdrew, April 9 2020 - 12:00 PM.

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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#10 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 9 2020 - 12:11 PM

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sounds like a plan!


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#11 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 9 2020 - 1:49 PM

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A dirt wad fell conveniently next their nest entrance tunnel, and the ants actually hauled it down to their lair.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#12 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 9 2020 - 2:10 PM

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Then load 'em up with dirt and springtails then! Looks like the signs are there!


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#13 Offline ponerinecat - Posted April 9 2020 - 7:07 PM

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springtails don't need substrate, just gonna get that out there. If your dealing with a entomobryomorpha species, they do fine in a bare nest. Poduromorpha will need some though, and just don't add globs.


#14 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 10 2020 - 2:32 AM

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springtails don't need substrate, just gonna get that out there. If your dealing with a entomobryomorpha species, they do fine in a bare nest. Poduromorpha will need some though, and just don't add globs.

Thanks. How do I tell which ones don’t need substrate? There’s no way I’m filling up a $150 formicarium with dirt.

Edited by ANTdrew, April 10 2020 - 2:40 AM.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.
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