24 replies to this topic

[AntsMAN]

 I have my Camponotus in a Talus spring revision '15, they got a mealworm inside and left it to mold a little.

Will the ants move it themselves if it becomes a problem or should I try to remove it myself?

 

Does anyone have any expierence with these formicariums?

 

[drtrmiller]

I can offer general advice, but none specific to this product.

 

I am testing the byFormica GroTube with Camponotus, and have observed similar behavior where the ants will store trash or uneaten food inside the nest.  This is highly unusual, since Camponotus nests in nature are usually very clean.

 

In the past, users with the Talus product and same issue have been reported to being left with no alternative but to break the product open to move ants or save them from adverse conditions.  Here are just a few threads that a quick search of the forum yielded:

• Bugfinders Pogonomyrmex Subdentatus
• How do you clean and re-use a Talus
• Help with mold in Talus
• Ants4funs Camponotus pennsylvanicus Journal

For queens and small colonies, it is always advisable to make or purchase a formicarium where the nest chamber may be easily accessed, so as to be able to deal with these types of issues.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 22 2015 - 6:56 AM.

[Foogoo]

If you can't reach it with tweezers or a bent twisty tie, try an aspirator or handheld vac with tubing. 

[JakobS]

Not that I wish to post only about this, but if you can find springtails to culture or for a one shot use, they will consume the decomposing, mold growing leftovers. Just syringe a bunch into the nest opening and they will find their way to the decomposing food. The are great "janitors" to have around to avoid mold in nests like these.  

 

Springtails and other isopods are found in the thousands within a square foot in the wild, and are thus awesome consumers of decomposing material. This is probably a major reason why you don't see decaying material in wild nests often, it simply won't last too long. 

 

Also pinning the food to something (clay ball, cork) with an insect or sewing pin will decrease their ability to bring it into the nest in the future. 

Edited by JakobS, July 22 2015 - 12:04 PM.

[Foogoo]

Springtails have been mentioned a few times in other threads. How do you identify them in the wild and where do you find them? Ants won't make dinner out of them?

[JakobS]

Some ants may eat them, but they are really small as well, so many will leave them alone. They also have chemical defenses and mechanical defenses which may make them less attractive to many ant species. They are commonly found in many wild ant nests though. I've only seen them under the microscope myself, but they are 1-2mm, have a cigar shaped abdomen, six legs, four antennomeres (antenna segments) and have a "spring" like appendage on their rear end that they use to avoid predation. It may be easier to order a culture from a reptile food supplier like joshsfrogs.com (no affiliation), to insure a disease free and healthy population.

Edited by JakobS, July 22 2015 - 2:30 PM.

[BugFinder]

it appears joshsfrogs doesn't have springtails, at least not at the moment.

[Foogoo]

it appears joshsfrogs doesn't have springtails, at least not at the moment.

Ohh even better, once they get them in stock. Chances are if I try catching them in the wild, I'll come home with a bucket of snakes or something thinking they're springtails.

[JakobS]

it appears joshsfrogs doesn't have springtails, at least not at the moment.

I am able to put both the culture and the culture kit into the cart without mention of being out of stock, so I am assuming you're are notified during the checkout process?

There are a few different reptile websites that sell them though, just search for "springtails for sale " or similar.

[AntsMAN]

I got the moldy meal worms out with a bent twist tie props to Foogoo. I guess the most important thing I've learned so far is to have patience, not to panic and

think things through. I tend to worry to much.

 

Has anyone tried to kill mold with a 200mw laser?

[LC3]

Haha. I also tend to panic/ be extremely paranoid.

If you can't kill it springtails kill it with lasers 

[AntsMAN]

I take it the laser will work .

[BugFinder]

Can you kill mold with a laser?

[Chall]

I have a very weird method if you take a a narrow vaccine you can tip the next and if the meal worms starts to slip the vaccine will get it in no time

[dspdrew]

 

it appears joshsfrogs doesn't have springtails, at least not at the moment.

Ohh even better, once they get them in stock. Chances are if I try catching them in the wild, I'll come home with a bucket of snakes or something thinking they're springtails.

 

 

I have a massive springtail culture. I could give you a whole bunch if you want.

[Foogoo]

I got the moldy meal worms out with a bent twist tie props to Foogoo. I guess the most important thing I've learned so far is to have patience, not to panic and

think things through. I tend to worry to much.

 

Has anyone tried to kill mold with a 200mw laser?

That's great to hear! I don't know if you're joking or not but I was thinking about the laser last night. It seems like something that would work in theory, but I don't see how it would be possible to do without also burning a hole in the Talus or whatever nest it's in. I was also thinking about using UV (UV-C lamps designed to kill pathogens) but that can't possibly be good for the nest tenants.

 

 

it appears joshsfrogs doesn't have springtails, at least not at the moment.

Ohh even better, once they get them in stock. Chances are if I try catching them in the wild, I'll come home with a bucket of snakes or something thinking they're springtails.

 

 

I have a massive springtail culture. I could give you a whole bunch if you want.

 

Sure! I'll remind you next time we meet. I just did some quick reading and they look relatively simple to culture.

 

Edit: Here are a few articles discussing the effects of UV and blue light on fungus and spores, I haven't had a chance to read through all of them yet:

http://aem.asm.org/c...2.full.pdf html

http://www.ncbi.nlm....s01633-0007.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm....012/pdf/689.pdf

http://forum.mflense...ing-t45286.html

http://digitalcommon...t=usdaarsfacpub

http://www.iab.kit.e...iguez_et_al.pdf

Edited by Foogoo, July 23 2015 - 9:07 AM.

[AntsMAN]

I got the moldy meal worms out with a bent twist tie props to Foogoo. I guess the most important thing I've learned so far is to have patience, not to panic and
think things through. I tend to worry to much.
 
Has anyone tried to kill mold with a 200mw laser?
 
 
That's great to hear! I don't know if you're joking or not but I was thinking about the laser last night. It seems like something that would work in theory, but I don't see how it would be possible to do without also burning a hole in the Talus or whatever nest it's in. I was also thinking about using UV (UV-C lamps designed to kill pathogens) but that can't possibly be good for the nest tenants.

  
I think what I'm going to do is leave some meal worms to mold in a plastic container set up the same as the Talus, and zap it with the laser to see what happens.
Keep you posted.

Edited by dspdrew, July 25 2015 - 10:13 AM.
Fixed quote formatting

[BugFinder]

 

 

it appears joshsfrogs doesn't have springtails, at least not at the moment.

Ohh even better, once they get them in stock. Chances are if I try catching them in the wild, I'll come home with a bucket of snakes or something thinking they're springtails.

 

 

I have a massive springtail culture. I could give you a whole bunch if you want.

 

 

that would be great bud.

[stuhrike]

I was reading the THA website and they suggest that if your ants take in food that molds, to try and tie a string to it or through it so you can pull it out later.
For instance, with a meal worm, take a needle and thread and go through it to make a loop you can pull out later since they can't break the shell.  

Edited by stuhrike, July 25 2015 - 1:36 AM.

[NightsWebs]

I use several talus of my own.  I would recommend the modular Talus if you have issues with cleaning the talus.  The only issue you will have is deciding what substrate to use with the modular Talus.  I have 3 different species in Talus set up currently Pogonomyrmex Californicus, Pogonomyrmex Rugosus and Novomessor Cockerelli.  I haven't had any serious issues with mold except once when I left a grape in for a day and a half when it exploded with a mold ring.  I used some wet tissue paper and inserted into the claustral chamber hole and cleaned the rest of the Talus with a toothbrush some seriously diluted vinegar water.  I carefully rinsed and dabbed the talus to ensure it was completely cleaned and I let dry in the sun with the claustral window covered and shaded so as to not cook my Californicus inside.  After drying it looked new and I took inside and haven't had any issues since.  PS don't leave fruit in your Talus for too long.