14 replies to this topic

[TechAnt]

So, I just used a Mini Hearth for my Pheidole, then I noticed it was a little bit too large for them. So I swapped it out with a Ants Australia Founding Formicarium, which fit them great. But that is besides the point, anyways the Pheidole left err....past food and..stuff. I just came to ask how you clean your TarHeel Formicaria and/or specifically Mini Hearths. I just picked out the stuff that was not difficult to reach with tweezers, then soaked my Mini Hearth in warm water, and now letting it dry. But I’m not sure if this is the best method, so I came to ask experienced ant keepers how to properly clean these kinds of set-ups.

Thanks in advance, TechAnt.

[Broncos]

I would take off the glass and soak it in hot water.

[Mdrogun]

I heard somewhere that you can soak the nest in Ammonia for a few days to kill off any mold or fungi living in the nest. Not sure if this is a valid option or if it even works, but it is something you could try if you're having issues with dirty nests after the hot water soak.

[TechAnt]

I tried what Broncos said, it seemed to wash out all the stuff where I put it in a tray where it would soak for a few hours. Then I covered the sink in towels so the gravel did not get in, and I poured the water out. Now it seems clean and ready, not sure about the ammonia thing, theoretically it could work. Not saying I know anything about ammonia cleaning methods for nests.

[FeedTheAnts]

A toothbrush works great, but be careful around the mesh.

[OhNoNotAgain]

On a Type III I have used a H2O2 solution soak, followed by a rinse and a vinegar soak, followed by a thorough rinse/soak in plain water, followed by sun drying.

 

As a warning I have used the freezer to kill mites and it cracked the outworld.

[Broncos]

I tried what Broncos said, it seemed to wash out all the stuff where I put it in a tray where it would soak for a few hours. Then I covered the sink in towels so the gravel did not get in, and I poured the water out. Now it seems clean and ready, not sure about the ammonia thing, theoretically it could work. Not saying I know anything about ammonia cleaning methods for nests.

So... YAY? It worked? I have a mini Hearth, and have never cleaned it out yet so this will help me.

[TechAnt]

I tried what Broncos said, it seemed to wash out all the stuff where I put it in a tray where it would soak for a few hours. Then I covered the sink in towels so the gravel did not get in, and I poured the water out. Now it seems clean and ready, not sure about the ammonia thing, theoretically it could work. Not saying I know anything about ammonia cleaning methods for nests.

So... YAY? It worked? I have a mini Hearth, and have never cleaned it out yet so this will help me.

Oh yeah, it worked completely and nothing is leftover, and I will introduce my C. Vicinus Queen to she if she likes it.

[TechAnt]

I even flooded the outworld, it cleaned up anything left out there. Only thing was it got rid of the fluon, which I had just applied onto it, but I have more so whatever

[Broncos]

Good.

[ConcordAntman]

FYI, the February 16 entry in the Tar Heel Ants Ant Blog covers the cleaning of their formicaria. No soaps, warm water with a toothbrush along with spot cleaning with a water-alcohol or water-vinegar mix. 

[Ants_Dakota]

For a deep clean, I always use baking soda and vinegar, although I have never used it for these nests.

[OhNoNotAgain]

FYI, the February 16 entry in the Tar Heel Ants Ant Blog covers the cleaning of their formicaria. No soaps, warm water with a toothbrush along with spot cleaning with a water-alcohol or water-vinegar mix. 

 

Yeah I talked with Mack quite a bit. No bleach, no heat. H2O2 solution sounded like it might be okay so that's why I tried it, along with the vinegar solution. And freezer. The crack sucks but the outworld is still usable.

[Topgun757]

FYI, the February 16 entry in the Tar Heel Ants Ant Blog covers the cleaning of their formicaria. No soaps, warm water with a toothbrush along with spot cleaning with a water-alcohol or water-vinegar mix.

 
Yeah I talked with Mack quite a bit. No bleach, no heat. H2O2 solution sounded like it might be okay so that's why I tried it, along with the vinegar solution. And freezer. The crack sucks but the outworld is still usable.

I know it’s an old comment but what is the purpose of the vinegar?

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

 

 

FYI, the February 16 entry in the Tar Heel Ants Ant Blog covers the cleaning of their formicaria. No soaps, warm water with a toothbrush along with spot cleaning with a water-alcohol or water-vinegar mix.

 
Yeah I talked with Mack quite a bit. No bleach, no heat. H2O2 solution sounded like it might be okay so that's why I tried it, along with the vinegar solution. And freezer. The crack sucks but the outworld is still usable.

I know it’s an old comment but what is the purpose of the vinegar?

 

It's an acidic additive that helps clean off anything that is acid solulable. While being a mild enough acid it won't harm us to come into direct contact with it briefly.
As well it acts as an acidic substance on various microbial organizsms provding some amount of disinfectant in the cleaning process.

It's not good on greasey stuff, for that you need soapy dispersal compounds.

this is part of why a good cleaning is commonly mutiple steps as the various cleaning agenst can interfear with each other.
like mixing vingar and baking soda, which neutrilzes the acidic effects of the vingar, making it pointless to be in the mix.

 

Thouh as has been noticed, best to not freeze one if it is still wet. Water soaked inside the rocky material can crack it when freezing.