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Fungus in the outworld. How to clean it?

Started By Manitobant , Mar 15 2021 12:26 PM

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12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Manitobant - Posted March 15 2021 - 12:26 PM

Manitobant

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My pheidole colony has this bluish fungus growing in their tar heel ants outworld, and despite how much i try to clean it, it keeps coming back. I’ve cleaned down the whole thing twice now. How do i get rid of it?
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 15 2021 - 12:32 PM

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Maybe put sand over it? Anything to try to desiccate the area.


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#3 Offline gs5248 - Posted March 15 2021 - 12:35 PM

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Vinegar,


#4 Offline RG_Ants - Posted March 15 2021 - 1:17 PM

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This may not be very serious, and you could probably use the methods posted above. However, I have heard of certain fungi wiping out entire colonies, and if that is the case you should probably replace the outworld or thoroughly clean it. If it is a THA product you may be able to get it replaced for free. It is better not to take the chance though, since it is near impossible to identify mold and fungi unless you are in a lab setting. 


#5 Offline gs5248 - Posted March 15 2021 - 3:54 PM

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The mold would probably go away if you use vinegar, or some alchohol.


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#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 15 2021 - 4:50 PM

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I agree with the above advice. Find a time when there are less workers out. Plug the entrance to the outworld and aspirate the remaining workers out. Thoroughly clean the outworld by scrubbing it with a vinegar solution. I would do a 3:1 water to vinegar solution.
An unortodox approach could also be adding mold eating springtails.
"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 Manitobant - Posted March 15 2021 - 5:57 PM

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I agree with the above advice. Find a time when there are less workers out. Plug the entrance to the outworld and aspirate the remaining workers out. Thoroughly clean the outworld by scrubbing it with a vinegar solution. I would do a 3:1 water to vinegar solution.
An unortodox approach could also be adding mold eating springtails.

will the vinegar kill or do damage to my ants when i reattach the outworld? That was my main worry.
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 15 2021 - 6:23 PM

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Definitely dilute it a lot. If you can detach the outworld, rinse it really thoroughly afterwards. Any ant that eats fruits in the wild will routinely consume vinegar from fermented fruits, alcohol as well for that matter.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#9 Offline AleeGuy - Posted March 15 2021 - 6:57 PM

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You may notice a vinegar smell on the outworld after doing that, it should fully aerate in a few days depending on how open is the outworld. So if you notice a smell and want to get rid of it ASAP then put an escape barrier on the outworld and leave it open to make the odor aerate faster.

#10 Offline M_Ants - Posted March 15 2021 - 6:59 PM

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Maybe try hydrogen peroxide?? I believe it breaks down into oxygen and water so it's probably safe?


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#11 Offline AntaholicAnonymous - Posted March 18 2021 - 6:00 AM

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I'd use springtails.

Not only for the fungus outbreak but for the general cleanliness of the setup.
Cleaning it up is a good short term solution but springtails work on the behalf of you and your ants so those issues don't happen in the first place.
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#12 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 18 2021 - 6:10 AM

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I'd use springtails.

Not only for the fungus outbreak but for the general cleanliness of the setup.
Cleaning it up is a good short term solution but springtails work on the behalf of you and your ants so those issues don't happen in the first place.

I want to experiment more with adding springtails to THA formicariums. I think it could work really well if you had the right species.


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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.

#13 Offline AntaholicAnonymous - Posted March 18 2021 - 12:43 PM

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I'd use springtails.

Not only for the fungus outbreak but for the general cleanliness of the setup.
Cleaning it up is a good short term solution but springtails work on the behalf of you and your ants so those issues don't happen in the first place.


I want to experiment more with adding springtails to THA formicariums. I think it could work really well if you had the right species.

I'm sure it'll make things a lot easier for you.
I'd give them something to hide in tho because some ants like to hunt them. A piece of tree bark or some pebbles should work.
As long as they have access to a bit of water/moisture they'll do just fine.
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