65 replies to this topic

[Pulliamj]

[Pulliamj]

Alright it worked. Well this is one of my queens. I will try and get one of those usb microscopes to get better pictures.

[Pulliamj]

I'm doing a lot of reading on the formicariums. I'm having real trouble deciding what I would like. I would like something with one chamber and letting the ants tunnel in their own way. Maybe a board sandwiched between glass. With one of those cool looking clear outworlds. Could the hydration be achieved totally in the outworld?

[dspdrew]

It's generally better to hydrate the nest, and leave the out world dry.

[Pulliamj]

I also like the all acrylic designs. But they do seem more like lab setups. I will continue to think about which one to try first. I guess I can experiment as I go.

[Miles]

Those acrylic designs would be an especially poor choice for Camponotus. They are believed to be extra sensitive to plastics, on top of being formicines. Because of this, formic acid that the ants secrete will build up on the non-absorbent plastic, and possibly endanger the colony. 

I am an adamant critic of test tubes, and a test tube would be better for a colony of Camponotus than most acrylic nests, in my experience. I would personally recommend Tar Heel Ants' products. A large chambered Talus formicarium would do just fine for this species for a year or two.

Edited by Miles, April 5 2015 - 7:43 PM.

[drtrmiller]

Those acrylic designs would be an especially poor choice for Camponotus. They are believed to be extra sensitive to plastics, on top of being formicines. Because of this, formic acid that the ants secrete will build up on the non-absorbent plastic, and possibly endanger the colony. 

I am an adamant critic of test tubes, and a test tube would be better for a colony of Camponotus than most acrylic nests, in my experience.

 

Not a shred of controlled study or literature to support this, aside from personal anecdotes.  If Camponotus die from their own "formic acid," it's likely due to poor ventilation, and not the nest material alone.

[Miles]

 

Those acrylic designs would be an especially poor choice for Camponotus. They are believed to be extra sensitive to plastics, on top of being formicines. Because of this, formic acid that the ants secrete will build up on the non-absorbent plastic, and possibly endanger the colony. 

I am an adamant critic of test tubes, and a test tube would be better for a colony of Camponotus than most acrylic nests, in my experience.

 

Not a shred of controlled study or literature to support this, aside from personal anecdotes.  If Camponotus die from their own "formic acid," it's likely due to poor ventilation, and not the nest material alone.

 

Exactly! A great number of personal anecdotes. I'd love for some legitimate research to be done on this topic. 

Agreed, poor ventilation is a contributing factor, but one that would be negated by an absorbent material in another nest style. As I understand it, you're designing an acrylic-wood hybrid, which would solve this problem. Presumably, that's why you posted your response in that way.

[antmaniac]

Good luck with this queen!

[Pulliamj]

If I do wood as the substrate. Would a certain wood be better than another? I was thinking about white wood, pine, basswood, or balsa.

[dspdrew]

It would depend on the species to know if they would even want to nest in wood or not.

[Pulliamj]

I found 3 of the queens in a rotten tree trunk in my yard. I'm almost certain they would best in wood.

[Jonathan21700]

Wood formicariums are nice. I made one recently. But I am concerned if the wood is threated with chemicals.

[Pulliamj]

Okay more questions. How much room do I need to leave the ants between layers? And with tubing what size do I use?

[Jonathan21700]

What species of Camponotus is this?

[dspdrew]

Okay more questions. How much room do I need to leave the ants between layers? And with tubing what size do I use?

 

Well the queen is going to have the biggest rear end of anyone in the colony, so that should give you an idea.

[Pulliamj]

I'm not sure about the species. But they are big ants for sure. I was thinking 1/2" openings.

[Jonathan21700]

Sounds right.

[antmaniac]

Why don't you just use the same rotten wood substrate from where you find the queens? I am sure they would like them.

[Pulliamj]

That's what I was thinking lol. I was going to cut a slice of it and glue it to the side of a container.

Has anyone ever tried using that plastic cutting board? I was thinking about it. It would be easy to shape and glue to the container or glass.