14 replies to this topic

[1tsm3jack]

I was thinking about starting to build custom wooden nests for my ants out of old firewood that I found the other day, when building a custom wood nest, what tools should I use to get deep enough to carve the chambers, and how/ with what should I finish it so it won't rot, but is still safe for the ants? 

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

I was thinking about starting to build custom wooden nests for my ants out of old firewood that I found the other day, when building a custom wood nest, what tools should I use to get deep enough to carve the chambers, and how/ with what should I finish it so it won't rot, but is still safe for the ants? 

Wood nests are not the best for many reasons like how it is very prone to mold growth and hydration problem, you can treat the wood but it will not be ideal for them. also what species are you planning to put in the nest?

[1tsm3jack]

Wood nests are not the best for many reasons like how it is very prone to mold growth and hydration problem, you can treat the wood but it will not be ideal for them. also what species are you planning to put in the nest?

 

 

 

Depends on the wood that I have and how big it is, I was thinking of cutting the piece I have in half, and making one half of it for my Monomorium Minimum colony and another half for Crematogaster 

[ANTdrew]

Crematogaster will chew out of the wood. Monomorium will slip out gaps.

[1tsm3jack]

Crematogaster will chew out of the wood. Monomorium will slip out gaps.

What about lasius? Or Camponotus?

Edited by 1tsm3jack, October 8 2024 - 11:02 AM.

[AntsGodzilla]

Depending on the size of the wood pieces, it would probably be better to use them for out world decor.

[1tsm3jack]

Depending on the size of the wood pieces, it would probably be better to use them for out world decor.

They are fairly large pieces of wood, meant to be used for firewood so I don't think the would fit.

[cooIboyJ]

 

Depending on the size of the wood pieces, it would probably be better to use them for out world decor.

They are fairly large pieces of wood, meant to be used for firewood so I don't think the would fit

A jigsaw would be good for cutting of pieces of wood.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

 

Crematogaster will chew out of the wood. Monomorium will slip out gaps.

What about lasius? Or Camponotus?

 

Lasius don't normally live in wood.

[1tsm3jack]

 

 

Depending on the size of the wood pieces, it would probably be better to use them for out world decor.

They are fairly large pieces of wood, meant to be used for firewood so I don't think the would fit

A jigsaw would be good for cutting of pieces of wood.

 

Yes but how would I cut the chambers out of the inside of the log?

[ANTdrew]

Use a drill with dremel bits.

[1tsm3jack]

What could I finish/treat the wood with that would be safe for the ants?

[Barristan]

What could I finish/treat the wood with that would be safe for the ants?

 

A lot of finishes smell and ants don't like it. So it'd be best to only finish it on the outside. I would also only recommend wood nests for species that live in wood in nature and can handle a dry nest (room humidity levels).
 

 

I made this nest for Crematogaster scutellaris with a wood rasp for my drill. It is made out of spruce wood (quite soft) but ants did not start to chew through it. But I think they might be able to do so if nest becomes overpopulated.

Wood nests won't mold if you don't moisture them. But humidity levels will slightly increase since the ants will drink a lot of water from outside and use it to keep the larvae moist (someone in discord measured humidity and could show that humidity increases slightly compared to an empty nest). But that also means that ants always need an external water source. If it gets empty ants will quickly start dying.

[1tsm3jack]

So just leave the inside alone and hope it doesn't grow mold and make sure the ants have plenty of water so they can hydrate it themselves. 

[Barristan]

So just leave the inside alone and hope it doesn't grow mold and make sure the ants have plenty of water so they can hydrate it themselves. 

 

It won't mold if you keep it dry, only thing that could maybe mold is dead insects they carry in but since it is dry in there the insect will dry before mold can form. But as I said you have to know if your species can live in a dry nest. So don't force them out of their test tube nest, connect the wooden nest in addition, add a heating source and see if they move by themselves. Ant species who live in soil require almost always a moist nest, but in my experience a lot species that live mainly in wood don't necessary need a moist nest, but as I said try it out. I only know some European species who don't need a moist nest, but I have no idea about NA species.