64 replies to this topic

[FSTP]

It seems termites have been a topic every so often and that got me interested in some. So I got myself one of those termitats, you may have seen them on kickstarter. So I just emailed the creator and bought one from him directly. Pretty happy with the thing so far but I've only got it last friday so I'll see how things go. But the design seems sound and termites don't require all that much care, just some water every few weeks. Which may work out pretty good for me since I am away from home fairly often.

 

Here are two pics and a very short vid of them.

 

 

 

[Alabama Anter]

Wooohooo FSTP u are back!

[SamKeepsAnts]

Where is the queen?

[Loops117]

=O How and were did you get that setup? I need to order one or 5 of these today.

[T.C.]

Super awesome. I would like to know the same answers as Loops.

[FSTP]

I first learned of it on Kickstarter https://www.kickstar...?ref=nav_searchI missed the kickstarter so I emailed the creator directly and he set me up. Really quick turn around after I payed him considering he makes them himself. Its also some really nice construction very professional. It looks nice enough for me to have it on display in my living room like in my picture.

 

If you're interested I can PM you his email.

[T.C.]

Loops117, on 02 Mar 2017 - 8:30 PM, said:

=O How and were did you get that setup? I need to order one or 5 of these today.

Loops, no you already have too many critters! You are going to over whelm yourself!

 

FSTP, on 02 Mar 2017 - 10:14 PM, said:

I first learned of it on Kickstarter https://www.kickstar...?ref=nav_searchI missed the kickstarter so I emailed the creator directly and he set me up. Really quick turn around after I payed him considering he makes them himself. Its also some really nice construction very professional. It looks nice enough for me to have it on display in my living room like in my picture.

 

If you're interested I can PM you his email.

I myself have quite the collection, and people are starting to call me crazy.  :pleasantry:  but ... I still maybe interested in getting one of these. I will PM you if I decide I want some. 

[FSTP]

you can never have to many critters! lol

 

I want to get another one to put in my room. So I'll have one in the living room and one in my bedroom...

[Connectimyrmex]

LUCKY! I see reproductive nymphs! You may get a full colony!

When you see reproductives hatch, check them for wings and dark colors. If they have that appearance, then you should take them out and let them have a nuptial flight. You could also always just keep them in there, but by budding the alates you can get a new colony.

[FSTP]

I've been thinking about making a similar setup for maybe some sp of Camponotus. Might be really neat.

[sgheaton]

that's a really neat display! I'm excited to watch your colony grow.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:57 PM.

[jsCoder]

Wow! It is great! Always dream to keeping the termites  it is a pity that not living in CA  

So termites don't feed? They obtain food from their "house", it is very interesting :-) 

[antgenius123]

Awesome setup, it looks so naturalistic like something you would see if you cut up a tree. Good luck with these guys.

[drtrmiller]

jsCoder, on 04 Mar 2017 - 09:53 AM, said:

Wow! It is great! Always dream to keeping the termites  it is a pity that not living in CA  
So termites don't feed? They obtain food from their "house", it is very interesting :-)

The termites are included with the habitat, except for a couple states. I wonder how they manage to get around the plant pest laws?

[gcsnelling]

We

 

drtrmiller, on 04 Mar 2017 - 10:32 AM, said:

 

jsCoder, on 04 Mar 2017 - 09:53 AM, said:

Wow! It is great! Always dream to keeping the termites  it is a pity that not living in CA  
So termites don't feed? They obtain food from their "house", it is very interesting :-)

The termites are included with the habitat, except for a couple states. I wonder how they manage to get around the plant pest laws?

 

 

Well he states he has permits. However this species is considered a low risk species due to very specific habitat requirements,  specific enough in fact that I wonder how they will fare long term in this contraption.  I suspect that most first time keepers will fail.

[FSTP]

Just a quick update. 

 

 

So now there are a lot of alates with wings. Also there seems to be a brood of eggs that the nymphs are tending to, however I'm not sure who laid them. Also there are now at least 3 unique soldiers I've counted. 

 

I'm wondering what is going to happen to all these large winged alates since they can't leave the nest...

 

 

I'll post pictures asap.

Edited by FSTP, April 10 2017 - 1:18 AM.

[Connectimyrmex]

FSTP, on 10 Apr 2017 - 09:18 AM, said:

Just a quick update. 

 

 

So now there are a lot of alates with wings. Also there seems to be a brood of eggs that the nymphs are tending to, however I'm not sure who laid them. Also there are now at least 3 unique soldiers I've counted. 

 

I'm wondering what is going to happen to all these large winged alates since they can't leave the nest...

 

 

I'll post pictures asap.

Told you hehe

The alates may have laid the eggs. There might also be some backup reproductives.

Maybe you should try opening a small hole in the side of the wood. You can place an outworld attached to a pipe there and let them have a mini nuptial flight.

gcsnelling, on 04 Mar 2017 - 4:10 PM, said:

We

 

drtrmiller, on 04 Mar 2017 - 10:32 AM, said:

 

jsCoder, on 04 Mar 2017 - 09:53 AM, said:

Wow! It is great! Always dream to keeping the termites  it is a pity that not living in CA  
So termites don't feed? They obtain food from their "house", it is very interesting :-)

The termites are included with the habitat, except for a couple states. I wonder how they manage to get around the plant pest laws?

 

 

Well he states he has permits. However this species is considered a low risk species due to very specific habitat requirements,  specific enough in fact that I wonder how they will fare long term in this contraption.  I suspect that most first time keepers will fail.

I have a feeling that the plant pest laws would get triggered at the reproductives popping up

[FSTP]

Well, since i'm having such a bad ant week I thought I'd update this termite thread like I said I would.

 

 

Well good news, they're doing amazing. Lots of eggs and lots of new babies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDIT: After looking at these photos more closely, I can't get over how adorable those little baby nymph terms are.

Edited by FSTP, April 25 2017 - 11:07 AM.

[Superant33]

Good journal