11 replies to this topic

[Ant-nig321]

Hey guys, starting a termite colony next year probably and i'm a little bit confused about which setup works best for them.i think i want to start with test tube filled with wet cotton but i heard it could mold easily,and can't have full control over the humidity.so, i think i should use either tissue,cardboard,dirt etc.which one do you guys think will be a good setup for them?

Edited by Ant-nig321, December 10 2022 - 12:26 AM.

[FinWins]

I used wet cotton and coco fiber in a test tube

[Flu1d]

I have heard deep glass petri dish setups are the vibe. I am sure the AAK discord may have a few people on there who could answer any questions you have on how to make one.

[ANTdrew]

I second the petri dish design. Look up Nare’s thread on how to make one.

[Ant-nig321]

Thanks guys for your response and Nares guide was helpful.Here's another one, has anyone ever done a set-up filled with wet cardboard in a test tube?,also how can i make a dirt setup in test tubes? Thanks in advance.

[Katla]

i am really thinking of aquiring some termites, not only for their fabulous social behaviour but also as prey for some of my ants. This all seems so interesting

[Flu1d]

I caught a colony of termites on 12/05/2022 from a damp, downed and rotten branch.. They have since passed on (I believe it was an oxygen issue, which will be fixed for the next colony I collect) however I do plan on finding another colony soon and will be far more prepared to do everything better the next go-round. Termites will be an amazing occasional food (along with roaches, fruit flies, honey and sugar water to have variety) for my ants as well as a fun species to learn about and watch grow.

Edited by Flu1d, December 10 2022 - 7:46 PM.

[ANTdrew]

It is very challenging to raise successful colonies of termites in captivity, let alone ones big enough to serve as a food source for ants. A better way to go is gathering them from wet cardboard traps put under logs they inhabit in the wild.

[Flu1d]

It is very challenging to raise successful colonies of termites in captivity, let alone ones big enough to serve as a food source for ants. A better way to go is gathering them from wet cardboard traps put under logs they inhabit in the wild.

Thanks!

[Ant-nig321]

Now,when the founding termite colony has many individual in the test tube,what other setup(like a formicarium)should they live in?

[ANTdrew]

Now,when the founding termite colony has many individual in the test tube,what other setup(like a formicarium)should they live in?

This forum has a search feature so you can look up topics. There are almost 10 years worth of high quality archives. Find your answers there.

[Ant-nig321]

Ok thanks.