49 replies to this topic

[NPLT]

Hello, I think my preparations in theoretical knowledge are at the tail end now, and I will soon be moving onto actually buying all the stuff I need, so, as a last question I wanted to inquire about some common mistakes begineer ant keepers do and how to avoid them ( except putting the queen in a too large nest, I've learned that lesson the hard way 3 years ago ).

[Lillyrose]

- don't buy the plastic tubes, pictures never come out well. Buy glass... they have a link here that has good glass vials cheap.

[NPLT]

- don't buy the plastic tubes, pictures never come out well. Buy glass... they have a link here that has good glass vials cheap.

Noted, I think I did the mistake 3 years ago but forgot, anyway, thank you for advice, will buy glass tubes.

[NPLT]

The slightest of bumps because I really want to know the tings toi avoid

[CheetoLord02]

Honestly, my best advice to starting out is just to get involved in communities with experienced keepers. Formiculture is great, however my personal favorite is Discord, where you can get real-time advice in case any mistakes or questions are more urgent.

If you want something specific, I'd say that investing in good equipment the first time around is a good idea. I've seen people try to skate by on bootleg materials and end up spending more time and money in the end because of the products falling short. 

Speaking of equipment, you'll typically hear that baby powder barriers are good. This is true, however only talcum-based powders. Most commercially available baby powder is corn starch based, and this stuff doesn't work at all. If you're going to use talc instead of fluon/PTFE, make sure you're getting talcum and not corn starch.

[NPLT]

Honestly, my best advice to starting out is just to get involved in communities with experienced keepers. Formiculture is great, however my personal favorite is Discord, where you can get real-time advice in case any mistakes or questions are more urgent.

If you want something specific, I'd say that investing in good equipment the first time around is a good idea. I've seen people try to skate by on bootleg materials and end up spending more time and money in the end because of the products falling short. 

Speaking of equipment, you'll typically hear that baby powder barriers are good. This is true, however only talcum-based powders. Most commercially available baby powder is corn starch based, and this stuff doesn't work at all. If you're going to use talc instead of fluon/PTFE, make sure you're getting talcum and not corn starch.

Understood, I think I'll buy fluon instead, there are about 3 equipment oriented ant shops in Poland so I'll get my stuff from there, except for honey since I still have quite a lot of natural honey from my grandpa's beehives.

[ANTdrew]

The most common mistakes I see are:
1) not keeping ants warm enough
2) underfeeding of protein
3) not enough variety of protein
4) forgetting to hydrate nests
5) general neglect

[NPLT]

The most common mistakes I see are:
1) not keeping ants warm enough
2) underfeeding of protein
3) not enough variety of protein
4) forgetting to hydrate nests
5) general neglect

Understood, is a 5 volt heating cable okay? most Polish ants can be kept in room temperatures but I was wondering if they would enjoy some more heat. Also, would 10 D.hydei every day or two be enough protein, especially during Formica founding stage ( obviously as the colony gets bigger I'll increase the intake )? 

Edited by NPLT, April 12 2021 - 3:47 AM.

[Canadant]

1. Mistakes happen (forgive yourself)
2. Learn from your mistakes

[NPLT]

1. Mistakes happen (forgive yourself)
2. Learn from your mistakes

OK, I'll try, though, when my ants died 3 years ago I still haven't forgave myself.

[Chickalo]

Give them a diverse diet.  Like humans, your ants can get bored of the same food every day, so try to mix it up a bit and try new things.  For protein you can use roached, mealworms, fruit flies, etc.  Sugars like honey and sugar water will do the trick, but you can also by other things like sunburst.

[NPLT]

Give them a diverse diet.  Like humans, your ants can get bored of the same food every day, so try to mix it up a bit and try new things.  For protein you can use roached, mealworms, fruit flies, etc.  Sugars like honey and sugar water will do the trick, but you can also by other things like sunburst.

Suburst? Also, I will probably throw them once in a while flies ( after freezing and boiling them ) that get stuck between my window and the net, I'm a bit iffy when it comes to mealworms since the last time I tried making a colony for them it ended... uh, badly. and roaches are unfotunately going to be veto'ed by my parents, similarly to crickets.

Edited by NPLT, April 12 2021 - 5:03 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Sunburst is made by byFormica (an antkeeping company). It is supposed to be a replacement for honey or sugar water and ants seem to like it better.

[NPLT]

Sunburst is made by byFormica (an antkeeping company). It is supposed to be a replacement for honey or sugar water and ants seem to like it better.

Ah ok, hmm, unfortunately it seems no one sells it in Poland.

[Chickalo]

Cricket's are pretty annoying at night tbh.  Try telling your parents the pluses about dubias, like how they cannot climb smooth surfaces nor can they fly.  If they still say no, it's alright, since there's still plenty other kinds of feeders.  Also about the mealworms, the same thing is happening to me.  Someone told me they inbred too much, so I'll throw in another colony of them soon to widen the gene pool soon.  Maybe that'll work for you, too?

[Kaelwizard]

Cricket's are pretty annoying at night tbh.  Try telling your parents the pluses about dubias, like how they cannot climb smooth surfaces nor can they fly.  If they still say no, it's alright, since there's still plenty other kinds of feeders.  Also about the mealworms, the same thing is happening to me.  Someone told me they inbred too much, so I'll throw in another colony of them soon to widen the gene pool soon.  Maybe that'll work for you, too?

Thing is if you add a colony of mealworms from the same supplier as yours they could be related.

[NPLT]

Cricket's are pretty annoying at night tbh.  Try telling your parents the pluses about dubias, like how they cannot climb smooth surfaces nor can they fly.  If they still say no, it's alright, since there's still plenty other kinds of feeders.  Also about the mealworms, the same thing is happening to me.  Someone told me they inbred too much, so I'll throw in another colony of them soon to widen the gene pool soon.  Maybe that'll work for you, too?

I think I'll try the dubia approach, thanks!.

[Antcatcherpro3]

Crickets don't chirp when thy are young though, they don't have wings yet. I have crickets, and whenever I see one with wings that is the one I feed to my gecko or ants first.

You can also just pull the cricket wings legs off, they can't chirp without legs.

Like it's back legs.

[NPLT]

Crickets don't chirp when thy are young though, they don't have wings yet. I have crickets, and whenever I see one with wings that is the one I feed to my gecko or ants first.

You can also just pull the cricket wings legs off, they can't chirp without legs.

Like it's back legs.

That seems, uh, cruel.

[ANTdrew]

You don't need to keep any feeders alive, so chirping is a non-issue. Pop the box/ bag right in the freezer as soon as they get home. Thaw as needed.

Also, don't feed Formica during the founding stage, only after she has workers.