12 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

According to Subverted, drtrmiller, and Reacker I am crazy because I had the nerve to put dirt and wood in the oven to kill any mites or other pathogens I didn't want infecting my ant colonies. I had no idea I was the only person that does this. It seems like a reasonable idea to me. Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

Edited by dspdrew, March 14 2016 - 10:42 PM.

[Subverted]

Its not crazy...but you are losing out on a lot more than you gain when you kill off the natural soil fauna.

[dspdrew]

All I need are springtails and book lice. I add those myself, once I know everything else is dead.

[Barristan]

You're not the only one in German ant forums also a lot of ant keepers do this. I don't do it because as others said you kill everything in it. And than mold will have an easy time to spread if the dirt or wood gets wet. I know people who baked everything from outside in the oven and still got mites. I only had a single time a mite problem and that was in a plaster formicarium without any decoration or soil from outside.

Edited by Barristan, March 14 2016 - 2:00 AM.

[Runner12]

I boil my sand at high heat and rinse, I notice fewer mold problems.

[Reacker]

... and Reacker I am crazy because...

Actually in chat I was agreeing with you as I've done it myself before. Don't know how you came to think I wasn't...

[Miles]

According to Subverted, drtrmiller, and Reacker I am crazy because I had the nerve to put dirt and wood in the oven to kill any mites or other pathogens I didn't want infecting my ant colonies. I had no idea I was the only person that does this. It seems like a reasonable idea to me. Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

I bake mine and agree with the inherent logic behind it. I want control in the nests I use, and the helpful bacteria and organisms can be added afterwards in a more controlled, limited way.

[Barristan]

 

According to Subverted, drtrmiller, and Reacker I am crazy because I had the nerve to put dirt and wood in the oven to kill any mites or other pathogens I didn't want infecting my ant colonies. I had no idea I was the only person that does this. It seems like a reasonable idea to me. Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

I bake mine and agree with the inherent logic behind it. I want control in the nests I use, and the helpful bacteria and organisms can be added afterwards in a more controlled, limited way.

 

 

There are so many different type of bacteria fungus etc. in soil. How will you add all helpful bacteria etc? What bacteria do you add?

[Miles]

 

 

According to Subverted, drtrmiller, and Reacker I am crazy because I had the nerve to put dirt and wood in the oven to kill any mites or other pathogens I didn't want infecting my ant colonies. I had no idea I was the only person that does this. It seems like a reasonable idea to me. Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

I bake mine and agree with the inherent logic behind it. I want control in the nests I use, and the helpful bacteria and organisms can be added afterwards in a more controlled, limited way.

 

 

There are so many different type of bacteria fungus etc. in soil. How will you add all helpful bacteria etc? What bacteria do you add?

 

You won't end up adding everything that's nice and nothing that isn't. That's not feasible. But, if you want microbes and bacteria, you can add a small amount of them (depending on the nest) from a small piece of soil that has been inspected and quarantined for some time. It's not worth the risk of mites and other harmful organisms, in my experience, to not sterilize the soil or wood first.

I would mention that for the past seven years, I haven't needed the presence of these bacteria either. Ants kept in sterile, soil-free containers have done just fine, although they seem less comfortable in such habitats. Helpful bacteria are, yes, helpful, but for many ants they are not necessary. Same goes for springtails, which I do now add if necessary. They are not needed often.

Edited by Miles, March 14 2016 - 11:36 AM.

[Ants4fun]

Quarantined soil or wood would do what good? Would the 'bad' bacteria simply die, while the good ones stay? In my opinion, as long as there are no visible mites, I will just leave it be. The only mite problems I have ever had where in non-dirt formicariums. I would rather keep the beneficial stuff.

Edit:fixed soil into formicariums

Edited by Ants4fun, March 14 2016 - 3:23 PM.

[Miles]

Quarantined soil or wood would do what good? Would the 'bad' bacteria simply die, while the good ones stay? In my opinion, as long as there are no visible mites, I will just leave it be. The only mite problems I have ever had where in non-dirt soil. I would rather keep the beneficial stuff.

The quarantine would have little to do with bacteria, and everything to do with mites. If, for a prolonged period of time, no mites appear, then the soil can be deemed relatively safe.

 

What is non-dirt soil?

[Ants4fun]

Sorry typo. I meant non-soil formicariums. Usually I look through to look for mites.

Edited by Ants4fun, March 14 2016 - 3:22 PM.

[dspdrew]

 

... and Reacker I am crazy because...

Actually in chat I was agreeing with you as I've done it myself before. Don't know how you came to think I wasn't...

 

 

Haha, sorry. I must have misunderstood you.