11 replies to this topic

[Chromerust]

What methods are acceptable for sterilizing dirt? Heating in the oven, freezing etc,. Would putting the dirt in the microwave for a few minutes work?


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[dspdrew]

Don't bother using a microwave unless the dirt is wet. I just use an oven at 200 or above for 30 minutes or so.

[Crystals]

Baking it in the oven is the most common way.  Freezing for one week would remove most unwanted things.

[nurbs]

Yeah, what Crystals said. When I first reared Pogonomyrmex with dirt in the test tube, I put dirt over a sheet of tinfoil and baked it. Then let it cool --- and it should be good to go.

[Chromerust]

Ok thanks I ended up filling a bread pan with the dirt and putting it in the oven for 30 min at 250 deg


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[Inlineants]

When baked dose the dirt or sand give off any unwanted odor? 

[Crystals]

Not when dry.  When you wet it, you can get odor from whatever might have been there before.  Not sure what scents might be unwanted.  Wet dirt will smell like wet dirt. 

For example - Manure...  No matter how long you bake manure, when you wet it there will still be an odor,

[dspdrew]

If there is organic matter in it, like potting soil, then yes it will smell up the place, and even burn if it's too hot. If it's just sand or clay dirt, there isn't much of a smell.

[Inlineants]

Thanks.

[DesertAntz]

Just curious, why would one want to sterilize the dirt? 

 

I'm thinking because there are natural processes in nature that eliminate the risk of a fungal/bacterial outbreak that don't happen in a controlled environment? 

[Gregory2455]

There are thing like possible parasite eggs, along with certain bacteria and other threats.

Look what is happening with my Solenopsis xyloni after giving them non-sterilized sand, and also forgot to freeze a termite before giving it to them.

 

If you do not sterilize this can happen:

http://forum.formicu...-updated-82114/

[Anhzor]

sterilizing dirt gives harmful fungi the opportunity to establish itself if competing naturally occuring microbes are eliminated.

Edited by Anhzor, August 30 2014 - 1:17 AM.