10 replies to this topic

[Temperateants]

Hi all,

I put my founding colony in a small plastic tub (about a tube length wise, enough space for the queen to walk out if they ever moved) and about 3 tube diameter in width. I coated the top layer in byformica fluon. Immediately, one worker went missing but I didn't think about it, was a huge red flag. A few hours later, I looked, 1 worker was outside of the container and 2 were missing. Luckily, I found them in the same room. I vastly underestimated their climbing abilities.

 

Anyways, does anyone here have experience containing Aphaenogaster? I only have 2 real options.

1. Use talcum powder, which is smelly and messy. This is the last resort.

2. Use a convenient round container with a lip I can put upside down fluon in.

 

I'm leaning towards option 2, but after this close call I probably won't be so lucky next time as to be able to recover all workers. Please tell me your suggestions or successful experiences. Help would be greatly appreciated.

[drtrmiller]

Can you show the container?  Which applicator did you use?  How wide was the band of Fluon?  I find the ones with the round felt-tip applicator to work really well for tubs.

[Temperateants]

I used the glue stick like bottle, and the band was an inch thick at most. The fluon didn't look very white, is that a problem with ow slippery a surface is? Also the humidity is 43%.
I used the glue stick like bottle, and the band was an inch thick at most. The fluon didn't look very white, is that a problem with ow slippery a surface is? Also the humidity is 43%.

[drtrmiller]

The PTFE is suspended in water and will settle if undisturbed.  So it is necessary to turn the bottle over repeatedly for 30-60 seconds so the PTFE and water are mixed well.

 

Without seeing the container, it's difficult to comment further.

[Temperateants]

Here is the photo with the tube in frame for reference.

Attached Images

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Edited by Temperateants, April 8 2021 - 6:25 PM.

[Temperateants]

I have been flipping my bottles weekly, maybe not flipping it prior to using causes it to be more dilute somehow? Anyways as you can see the white band is pretty transparent.

Edited by Temperateants, April 8 2021 - 6:31 PM.

[drtrmiller]

Looks very similar in shape to the Sterilite containers I use.  I apply the PTFE to the entire upper section of the container like the following photo:

 

I really don't know why they could walk over it.

 

I test the effectiveness of Fluon by coating a test tube and seeing if the ants can climb up it when the tube is held vertically.  The test tube is smooth on all sides so there are no corners for ants to grab. 

See the following example for how it should look when applied properly:

Edited by drtrmiller, April 8 2021 - 6:47 PM.

[Temperateants]

Yep. For some reason the fluon was very transparent on my container. Your test is ingenious. I've been flipping them weekly, and the wand makes a very white band ants can't cross. I'll use a round container with a lip for safe measure, and flip the fluon extra well prior to application, if that helps. The fluon is very good at containing my other ants, not sure why it's suddenly dilute looking and doesn't contain these ants.

[Temperateants]

Anyways, the humidity in my house is 42%. I thought of a very strange idea where I use silica gel as a substrate, or put some packets in the substrate of outworlds I normally use. Thoughts? Maybe not substrate for cocoon making sp. because they might dry out their own pupae, using substrate to assist with cocoon spinning.

Edited by Temperateants, April 9 2021 - 3:23 AM.

[ANTdrew]

I put a packet of silica dessicant up by the rim of my Crematogasters' outworld. They don't have access to it, though.

[Temperateants]

I put a packet of silica dessicant up by the rim of my Crematogasters' outworld. They don't have access to it, though.

Great idea! Can you post an image?