^ Tell the customs people that it's definitely NOT some kind of bomb (or espionage hardware) making kit and give them a nervous laugh while avoiding eye contact
I only dealt with customs one time when I bought my Unicycle from Canada (I'm in the U.S.). I think the first one I bought it, I didn't have issues but the second one was like "guys...what the blank..." when I saw the extra fees. Like I literally bought it from Canada because it was cheaper and the fees definitely made an impact.
Anyhow, talking to you, now I'm even more pumped to get it.
Reading your other thread and people's reply about it, very interesting! Thanks for the link. I also saw some video reviews of folks comparing different formicariums. I personally chose THA because it had a more Earthy, natural look to them not to mention I prefer giving business to sellers like Mack, rarely ever meet such a helpful person like that. I saw some super fancy but also expensive formicariums carved out of wood, think they were located in Europe somewhere. However, I think my final Formicariums, I will design and make it myself. Ever consider that? The DIY approach? Probably a few years down the line, I want a top down view, it looks like a lot of fun to watch them so close up, not to mention taking pictures of them would be easier and clearer too. OOOO can't wait!
Make sure you share pictures of your new nests with us in your journals!
I always love to see other people‘ s setups and ideas.
Haha, well, the guy with the fancy wood nests is Foranto from Poland. He is my go- to supplier for Sunburst nectar, because he buys bulk and can sell it cheaper than anyone else in Europe. I also got a beautiful small wooden starter nest from him, originally planned for my Temnothorax colony ( which completely ignored it). If you want to have a look, it is in my „Walnut Empire“ Temnothorax journal.
His nests are also absolutely stunning works of art, and he also is a nice and helpful guy with great customer service and fast delivery times (at least from Poland to Germany). I can also very much recommend him, if you ever want to keep a wood loving species and are looking for a stunning center piece for your collection!
Well, in my youth I actually made my own large Formicarium and out world for a Formica polyctena wood ant colony myself, with the help of my grandpa and dad. But- I just do have two left hands and I am not very good at that sort of thing. Yes, I produced something serviceable and useable, but it was far from pretty.
So I actually am not ashamed to buy quality work from good craftsmen who can do beautiful work, even if it costs a bit of money.
I only have a small flat, and my animals are the centre of my living room- my fish tanks sit where other people have their TV and this will also be where my smaller THA nests will be sitting when the colonies are big enough to move in. For my Messor colony, I bought a shelf and installed LED lights, I want all of this to look pretty and something I can enjoy looking at when I come home from my stressful day job. No room for a bad attempt by me constructing something ugly but serviceable!