3 replies to this topic

[Zhuge]

I am going on a 2 week vacation and I need to keep my ants moisturized. I have them in a formisquarium from stateside ants and don't want the formicarium to dry out. Any help would be appreciated! 

 

[ReignofRage]

Making sure to hydrate the formicarium thoroughly before leaving and reducing heat (if it's even heated to begin with) should be plenty to allow a formicarium of that style to stay hydrated for two weeks.

[rptraut]

Hello Zhuge;

 

We don't know what kind of ants you're keeping; some ants will tolerate drier conditions than others.   In my experience, running out of drinking water was the cause of more deaths than drying out while I was on vacation.   I like to provide mine with extra water, or a larger water container while I'm away.    Set it up awhile before you go so they'll get used to using it.   An extra water test tube with a cotton stopper in the outworld can save a colony from running out of water.   If your ants need high humidity, I've used saturated pieces of sponge to humidify a formicarium for a longer time.

 

I'm not familiar with a fromisquarium, but another method I've used is to put ant colonies in a plastic storage box with a lid.   Before I put them in, I put newspaper or cardboard in the bottom of the box and saturate it with water.   Keeping them cool will also help maintain humidity.   

 

Have a great vacation!

RPT

Edited by rptraut, December 11 2024 - 10:17 AM.

[Zhuge]

Making sure to hydrate the formicarium thoroughly before leaving and reducing heat (if it's even heated to begin with) should be plenty to allow a formicarium of that style to stay hydrated for two weeks.

Thank you!

Hello Zhuge;

 

We don't know what kind of ants you're keeping; some ants will tolerate drier conditions than others.   In my experience, running out of drinking water was the cause of more deaths than drying out while I was on vacation.   I like to provide mine with extra water, or a larger water container while I'm away.    Set it up awhile before you go so they'll get used to using it.   An extra water test tube with a cotton stopper in the outworld can save a colony from running out of water.   If your ants need high humidity, I've used saturated pieces of sponge to humidify a formicarium for a longer time.

 

I'm not familiar with a fromisquarium, but another method I've used is to put ant colonies in a plastic storage box with a lid.   Before I put them in, I put newspaper or cardboard in the bottom of the box and saturate it with water.   Keeping them cool will also help maintain humidity.   

 

Have a great vacation!

RPT

Thank you.