26 replies to this topic

[Lillyrose]

Guys!!! I got a picture of her and one of the workers... look how small the worker is ..

Ok I'll stop lol I'm just excited http://imgur.com/a/1lklYgC

[gs5248]

Deleted

Edited by gs5248, March 10 2021 - 7:01 PM.

[nurbs]

1) It's best to apply it with no colony or ants. Some species are fine with it, but wet fluon can harm ants. I once applied fluon to a Novomessor outworld, and the idiot ants went up it and drank it. Then promptly died. The ants already had liquid feeders filled with water, too. So it depends on the species, exceptions to every rule.

 

2) This will depend on the species, but an all acrylic nest is, again, generally not preferred. But if you have an acrylic nest or container with additional material (like hydrostone) or substrate, like sand, it may work.

 

3) Super easy and inexpensive. Use your cell phone camera and get a macro adapter attachment from Amazon. Usually around $30. It's basically just a large magnifying glass that attaches to the front element of your camera phone. Below is a shot using iPhone X and a macro adapter.

 

 

1. Can I apply Fluon to an active colony? Or must it only be when the container is empty?

2. Will my ants hate an acrylic bottom? I'm having a hard time with substrate ... do I need to have it? Will it make them happier?

3. How do you all take such good pictures? Mine are blurry messes!

 

[MinigunL5]

 

How many workers are there? They can be really timid at first, but that will drastically change in a few weeks. Enjoy this docile, easy phase while it lasts.

maybe 7? They are really tiny and move fast so I had trouble counting them... but not a lot.

Hehe I can't wait till I'm complaining about how much they eat or how active they are.

 

Personally I just feed small colonies like that in their test tube and don't give them an outworld until it gets hard to feed them without escapees. They find the food much quicker so they'll often eat the food in your presence and you can observe them.

[RG_Ants]

1. Can I apply Fluon to an active colony? Or must it only be when the container is empty?

2. Will my ants hate an acrylic bottom? I'm having a hard time with substrate ... do I need to have it? Will it make them happier?

3. How do you all take such good pictures? Mine are blurry messes!

 To answer your 3rd question, most people use dslr cameras with macro lenses for those really crispy close-ups. However, if you do not have a camera, you can use your phone. Simply go on amazon and look for a clip-on macro lens for mobile phones. It is fairly inexpensive, and can greatly improve your close up- shots. I hope this was helpful.

[dspdrew]

Yes, you can apply fluon to a container with ants in it. It is not toxic in any form.
I agree with Nick, a bare bottom is fine. It’s mostly a question of aesthetics. Your Tetramorium will really appreciate a super thin layer of dry sand, though.

 

I'm pretty sure Fluon is harmful while it's wet.

[ANTdrew]

Hmmm, good to know. I’ve reapplied it many times in outworlds full of ants, though.