8 replies to this topic

[Siddharth]

In my area (Mumbai, India) i have three species of Camponotus ants. C. compressus, C.angusticollis and C.irritans

After doing some research i saw that C. ants don't seem to do well in bare setups and do best with some digging medium. so, i was wondering if I can keep Carpenter ants in a naturalistic dirt setup.

my idea was to take a large plastic bin (Like AntsCanada did for his solenopsis ants) fill it about halfway with dirt, some rocks, basically making a natural topography to the dirt and just introduce a queen to it, let her make her claustral; chamber and all that comes after that.

so, my question is, can I keep Camponotus ants in such a setup? also, how do I go about hydrating a natural setup?

[Serafine]

Better fill it to only a third unless you're sure the hills they produce don't get very high.

Yes you can keep Camponotus in such a setup. Camponotus are dry-loving ants that start to develop brood deformations at 20% humidity and below (which is WAY less than any non-climated room will ever have), many of them actually nest in dead (dry) wood.

To moisture the dirt use a spray bottle and just moisture one half of the surface so they have a choice (humidity gradient). Also provide them a water source at all times (test tube, feeder) and they'll be capable of mostly moisturing their nest area by themselves.

Edited by Serafine, March 10 2017 - 1:27 AM.

[Jelly]

I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

[Alabama Anter]

My ants love Eco Soil. It is a substrate that is made out of shredded coconut shells, therefore contains moisture very well.

[dspdrew]

I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 

I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

[Jelly]

I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 
I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

That's what I've heard too.
Where did you find these ones at? Lol

[MichiganAnts]

all of my Camponotus species have a play sand substrate in the outworld and seem to enjoy it

[dspdrew]

 

 

I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 
I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

That's what I've heard too.
Where did you find these ones at? Lol

 

 

I found mine near Joshua Tree National Park.

[Jelly]

 

 

 

I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 
I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

That's what I've heard too.
Where did you find these ones at? Lol

 

 

I found mine near Joshua Tree National Park.

 

 

Any local areas you think would work? I literally need like 1-2 cups of this dirt so driving a few hours to Joshua Tree is kind of hard.