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Formica Nesting Medium

Started By Mettcollsuss , Oct 31 2017 5:54 PM

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#1 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted October 31 2017 - 5:54 PM

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I currently have a small 5 worker colony of Formica subsericea. Their test tube is getting a little moldy, so I'm planning on moving them into a small container with some digging medium on the bottom. My question is, what sort of digging medium should I use? In the past, I've seen wild colonies nesting in sand, but many websites say that they nest in soil at the base of trees. What should I use? Thanks in advance!

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#2 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted October 31 2017 - 6:44 PM

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Ant type is fine but I'd lean towards sand since it rarely molds and can be sometimes reused. However, soil can be better since it will easily spot mites and eggs and larvae.

Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.