4 replies to this topic

[cstutz]

I captured/saved a nest of Camponotus Modoc last winter from an old woodpile we were cleaning up. They are in an AC hybrid nest and are doing ok. My issue is moisture accumulation! It is sopping wet in the middle of the nest. I moved them once already to another hybrid nest and tried to reduce the amount of water in the tray but even with no water the nest is just getting nasty! Any ideas? I am new to the forum. . . . will try to post photos.

[Stubyvast]

You should check if the ants themselves are causing this issue, by carrying wet stuff or debris there. This could be caused by overfeeding. Alternatively, to clean up the mess you could introduce some springtails or harmless mites to eat any of these materials. That way, the moisture becomes collected in their bodies, not in the nest itself. 

Hopefully one of these ideas work! 

Yes, photos would be helpful to "shed more light" on the situation, haha!

Edited by Stubyvast, August 8 2024 - 6:49 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Do NOT put a heating pad under the nest because that will cause massive condensation on the glass. My advice would be to modify the AC nest by lining the bottom of the chambers with some absorbent plaster. I had luck doing this last year. I also filled the hydration tray with perlite. Your Camponotus don’t need any moisture in the formicarium and can just get water from a liquid feeder in the outworld.

[Stubyvast]

Edited: Thanks! 

Edited by Stubyvast, August 8 2024 - 6:49 AM.

[mbullock42086]

if unresolved, you could get some clean fine sand and offer them a pile of it.  they may use it to absorb the water and eliminate the ponding.

though you have modoc so sawdust or some kind of cellulose powder would probably be preferable.