5 replies to this topic

[voylin]

Hey guys, I'm not new to ant keeping but I used to live in Belgium where most of my ants were kept in Yton nests which I build. Last year I moved to Japan and I finally managed to convince my wife to keep ants again. (She's not a big insect fan)

However, I can't seem to find grout or Yton, or hydrostone ... and the only popular ant keeper here in Japan, Ant base Tokyo, makes all his nests out of plaster.

I've read that plaster formicariums only last 6 months or so before mold starts to grow. However I read that some people add charcoal powder to make it mold less.

Anybody has any experience with plaster nests and how to keep them mold free for longer periods of time?

[Kaelwizard]

You might want to keep a species that prefers drier conditions so you don’t have to hydrate the nest as often. It might last longer that way. I don’t have any personal experience with plaster nests, though.

[JCRHJM]

I haven't tried this but maybe getting springtails could work?

[voylin]

You might want to keep a species that prefers drier conditions so you don’t have to hydrate the nest as often. It might last longer that way. I don’t have any personal experience with plaster nests, though.

A lot of ants here are big humidity lovers, so that might be challenging 😅

I haven't tried this but maybe getting springtails could work?

Sounds like something that could possibly work. Anybody experience with this?

[ANTdrew]

I think the right kind of springtail could totally work. Search for ones that live in association with ants in the wild.

[UtahAnts]

Plaster of paris does not mold after a specific certain time period, although ants usually burrow out of a nest in 6 months to a year, depending on species and wall thickness. As long as you don't add anything to the plaster material that might give mold a foothold (cork, some paints, other organic materials), your nest can last as for as long as the ants stay contained. I've had many a colony thrive in plaster long term, and the nest will only mold if food (usually a protein source) is brought into contact with the plaster. Just try not to allow your ants to bring large chunks of food into the nest.

If you do use plaster, hydration is more of an issue then mold in my experience. Use distilled water, as some other types of water have minerals added for taste and such. These minerals, and even chemicals, can break down the plaster quicker then exposure to water naturally does already. I have had the best success with Tar Heel Ant style water reservoirs, although sponge hydration can sometimes work as well.