12 replies to this topic

[spinyeti]

I'm preparing to build my nests and outworlds, and have a question about tubing:

How long between nest and outworld is okay, and can I put it more or less vertical?

I am planning on putting the nests in a cabinet below the outworlds on shelves. I currently have 1/2" ID vinyl tubing because I was concerned about the Camponotus having room for travel.

I will be testing with some wild workers in my yard to see how they do with the tubing angle, but I am unsure about nest distance from the outworld for things like ventilation or garbage disposal.

[Crystals]

Depends on the species.  Some can climb easily, some can't.  I know some who put a pipe cleaner in their vinyl tubing for some species.

 

The younger or smaller the colony, the shorter the vinyl tubing should be.  It also depends on species.  Some will wander only a few inches down a tube, while tohers will explore for feet.

I prefer to keep my tubing under 6" for my colonies.

[spinyeti]

Pipe cleaners! Interesting! I was trying to think of a good way to add texture for climbing in case that is needed. Thanks.

For foraging I'm assuming that some distance will likely be fine, since Camponotus pennsylvanicus forage over areas measured in meters at least. I just don't know about the ants-eye perception of their nest being 2-5 feet underground, since there will only be the one tube to connect to the outworld. What I mean is that it seems that it might be quite a trek for little Miss Every-Ant to deposit some sand/dirt/garbage somewhere out of the way of the nest and continued growth.

Edited by spinyeti, August 7 2015 - 9:07 AM.

[Crystals]

Also depends how large the colony is.  A small colony of 5 workers will never wander 4 feet up a tube.

A large colony of over a hundred should have a dozen or so that will make the trip.

 

Colonies start near the surface and work their way down over the years as the colony grows.

[spinyeti]

That's what I feared. I will have to rethink my intended setup then. It seems I'm thinking too far down the line.

[Foogoo]

My Pogonomyrmex appeared to have trouble climbing up ~2" of tubing in their old nest so I dipped a toothpick in aquarium sillicone and "textured" the inside of the tubing. Appears to have worked well enough.

[dspdrew]

What I do with vinyl tubing is put a steel tube brush in a drill, and scratch up the inside of the tube with it really well. This obviously might not be something you would want for a setup you have on display, because you can no longer see through the tubing very well.

[Huch]

What I do with vinyl tubing is put a steel tube brush in a drill, and scratch up the inside of the tube with it really well. This obviously might not be something you would want for a setup you have on display, because you can no longer see through the tubing very well.

 

Or if you have a gun cleaning kit - rod with the copper bristle brush would score it really well.

[BugFinder]

I love the cabinet and shelf idea, if you can keep the tube short enough that they will actually travel through it that sounds so awesome!!

[spinyeti]

I love the cabinet and shelf idea, if you can keep the tube short enough that they will actually travel through it that sounds so awesome!!

Once I get something figured out, I'll post pictures. It's a good thing Camponotus are so slow; gives me time to plan a nice setup.

[AntsTexas]

could angle the tubing until u get where u want it

[spinyeti]

could angle the tubing until u get where u want it

That was an option I was considering: just spiral the tubing around a shelf post to keep the grade shallow enough, but that adds considerable distance, which Crystals suggested would be detrimental for new colonies.

[AntsTexas]

how about something like this:

 

http://www.acehardwa...oductId=1334404