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Soil that will hold up nests

Started By 1tsm3jack , Oct 6 2024 10:24 AM

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3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline 1tsm3jack - Posted October 6 2024 - 10:24 AM

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LocationCharlottesville, VA

Has anyone ever used the zoomed excavator clay substrate for ants? It is meant for reptiles to be able to dig burrows but I figure if it can hold large reptile burrows then it can hold ant nests, it is a 10 pound bag for 13$ so it seems like a good option, if anyone has used anything else I would like to hear about it, thanks .

#2 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted October 6 2024 - 10:52 AM

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LocationNorthern California

What you said sound great, since it is safe and strong, but I have also heard that you can mix clay with sands, as that is something I'd like to try.

1tsm3jack likes this

I keep: pogonomyrmex rugosus | myrmecocystus depilis | monomorium ergatogyna | Camponotus CA-02 | Pheidole Bicarinata

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 6 2024 - 12:07 PM

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LocationAlexandria, VA

I’d save your money and dig up soil outside. Bake it 10 minutes at 200 degrees.

rptraut and 1tsm3jack like this

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline mbullock42086 - Posted October 6 2024 - 3:42 PM

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Excavator, IMO, is a scam.

when you consider a 40 pound bag of play-sand from Home Depot is only like $4.00 or so, it's a big-time rip-off.

Buy the clay powder seperately or find a clay embankment and harvest a bit yourself- grind it into a powder and add to sand with water.

sure, it's convenient, but way too expensive. you're paying for the convenience not the substrate..

Cool part is clay can be found in a variety of pigments so you can essentially choose any color you want