5 replies to this topic

[Reevak]

I'm planning on making an ant nest using something similar to the water towers used in TarHeelAnts' nests. The problem is that I can't find anywhere to buy a fine mesh that ants won't be able to pass through. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for making my nest humid without using a substrate to absorb water or if anyone knew where I could buy such a mesh for the nest. Thanks

[MaxGen]

eBay. 100 micron mesh. You can also find 50 micron mesh. Not sure what mesh size Mack is using.

[KBant]

http://www.ebay.com/...UAAOSw8gVX39JT 

 

i bought this yesterday. 

 

how do you plan on making the watertower? i am curious if there are any guides to make something similar to tar heel ants

[Bryce]

I buy all my micro mesh screen at a smoke shop. I can by (5) 1 inch pre cut circles for $1. Or a square 6" x 6" for $5. Check out a smoke shop first.

[Reevak]

how do you plan on making the watertower? i am curious if there are any guides to make something similar to tar heel ants

Not sure how I'm going to make it exactly yet, but at the moment, I plan on using aquarium silicon to connect the mesh to a cup or other cylindrical object, then connecting a tube to the side of it that will lead out, allowing me to water it, and then just using unsanded grout to make up the nest and hold it in place. Not sure how it'll work out but I'm hoping it works out well because I need to move my Prenolepis imparis colony sooner rather than later.

Edit: I may just connect the mesh directly to the nest and then make it so that I can take the water tower out when I need to (for whatever reason) without causing any problems, since the mesh will separate the inside of the nest and the tower.

Edit (again): How does this mesh look https://www.amazon.c...stainless steel

Edited by Reevak, August 16 2017 - 8:19 PM.

[MaxGen]

I was thinking of ways to make the water tower like tarheel ants, and what I came up with was to clamp the screen between blocks, then stretch the mesh screen out suspended above the the ground.  Apply glue to the rim of the container and place it on the mesh until dry.  After that, cut the container out of the mesh.

 

You could make several water towers at a time on a square of stretched out mesh.