64 replies to this topic

[Runner12]

Hey, would you mind PMing me the email address you contacted the maker at? I'd like to get one of these.

Thanks!

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

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

[FSTP]

These are really suspicious. Every time I ask or anyone else brings it up (not just this thread, but there was another one and it was asked a lot), on how to replace the wood or expand it or anything once the wood runs out...EVERYONE completely ignores the person who says it or asks.

 

That tells me there is no way to replace the wood and its a one use (expensive) toy prop.

 

That is really cruel to the termites inside...so they'll starve to death...that is great.

 

No thanks.

 

 

 

I thought I had answered this but I guess not. The wood apparently last anywhere from 2-3 years. But when they do need more wood you have several options. You can either send the termitate back in and they will replace the wood for you. Or you can just buy a slice of wood and replace it yourself.  I'm not sure its available yet but eventually you'll be abel to expand by connecting a few together if you want. 

 

I don't really want connect more so what I have in the works is to just custom make my own termitat but at a much larger size. The wood (douglas fir) in the termitat is about 9-10". I've purchased supplies to make one with a 24" slice of douglas fir.

[Vendayn]

 

65q24g4g5f

 

 

 

65q24g4g5f

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

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

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

[Runner12]

Try contacting him through Kickstarter, I got a response. He told me he is working on a new website that will be ready sometime in the near future. Not sure when that will be unfortunately

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

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

[Gabraime]

My question is if the termitat comes with the queen and king, let me know.

[Runner12]

It doesn't come with a true king or queen but the "workers" or nymphs that come with it are capable of molting into secondary reproductives which will keep the colony going.

[Runner12]

Well on further research I'm honestly not really sure how it works,but they are capable of developing secondary reproductives.

Whether or not you get right mix of workers that can do this I don't know. It seems like it might be possible to get a colony that isn't capable of this type of reproduction, the way this species produces neotenic reproductives is confusing to me, maybe someone with more knowledge can clarify this?

Edited by Runner12, May 21 2017 - 4:31 PM.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[Gabraime]

Yaa so confuse,hmm.

[Runner12]

I actually read that same bug guide page and wasn't sure what to make of it or how reliable it was. Even if the workers can become reproductives it seems like you would need to have both male and female neotenics since as far as I can tell they still need to mate?

I do know that it's not uncommon for these colonies to end up without their king and queen in the wild and be carried on solely by secondary reproductives. Colony fusion apparently happens a lot and the primary reproductives are often killed in the process.

https://www.scienced...91006095628.htm

So they CAN continue with just secondaries but whether every termitat is going to get you the right mix I don't know. I guess I'll ask the creator when the time comes.

Edited by Runner12, May 21 2017 - 8:45 PM.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[Runner12]

Yeah I had read that about them not having true workers, but I still am not sure whether any non soldier non reproductive "worker" can become a neotenic if the queen and king are lost?

It seems that way but I'm not sure. If that's the case I would think that any termitat is going to have the potential for reproductives to appear.

The other thing that was a little confusing was which ones are the neotenics? Earlier in the thread it was mentioned that the nymphs with wing buds were the secondaries, then elsewhere I've read the golden colored workers without wing buds are the neotenics. Which is it? Who's laying the eggs?

It's hard to find reliable information about these guys since a lot seems to conflict

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[Vendayn]

65q24g4g5f

Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 6:58 PM.