8 replies to this topic

[Bugdaddy]

After thinking long and hard about who my first queen will be!

I believe Tetramorium is the best one for my interests.

1. I keep reading about mold in formicariums and Springtails are a good clean up crew for ants. Are there any species specific? Would tetramorium just eat all the springtails?

Two! According to the care sheet in the ant care guides forum, PTFE is the best barrier for their size? What if PTFE? I tried to google it, and the results came up for Teflon?


Three! Also according to the care guide, they prefer between temperatures of 70-76 degrees F

Are there any good live plants I can place into their outworld?

[CNewton]

#1, I have no experience with springtails.

 

#2, PTFE is a liquid Teflon. You apply it in a single layer along the rim of the outworld. Most all ants cannot cross the barrier.

 

#3, Most plants are probably fine, but keep in mind that ants would prefer to dig than use a formicarium. If you want plants, you'll probably need soil. IF you want to avoid soil, there are a couple plants you could find epiphytes that grow on driftwood decorations. Plants like Bromliads you can find pretty easily at home improvement stores. Airplants require no rooting medium. Some succulents, like Hens and chickens, will grow directly on rocks. I'm sure other people have better ideas.

[sgheaton]

Sweet and sour jesus... PTFE = Poly-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene ..... 

 

Edit:

That "a" in there saved ya!

Edited by sgheaton, November 9 2017 - 5:52 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

1. Unless you're making a naturalistic setup, springtails aren't really necessary, just make sure you clean out the garbage pile every week or so. 

2. Tetramorium can't climb smooth surfaces very well, so even the weakest of barriers will keep them at bay. Vaseline is pretty effective, and cheap. Personally, I use talcum powder (baby powder) mixed with rubbing alcohol. PTFE is one of the strongest barriers, and pretty expensive. I would only use it for ants that are true escape artists, such as Solenopsis and Crematogaster.

3. If you place live plants in the out world, you will have to have soil. If there is soil present, the ants will nest in the soil rather than the formicarium. You can, however, use fake plants and other decorations. Just make sure that they are completely sterile. There should also be a water source in the outworld for the ants to remain hydrated while foraging. A simple test tube setup should work.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, November 9 2017 - 6:36 AM.

[Bugdaddy]

1. Unless you're making a naturalistic setup, springtails aren't really necessary, just make sure you clean out the garbage pile every week or so. 

2. Tetramorium can't climb smooth surfaces very well, so even the weakest of barriers will keep them at bay. Vaseline is pretty effective, and cheap. Personally, I use talcum powder (baby powder) mixed with rubbing alcohol. PTFE is one of the strongest barriers, and pretty expensive. I would only use it for ants that are true escape artists, such as Solenopsis and Crematogaster.

3. If you place live plants in the out world, you will have to have soil. If there is soil present, the ants will nest in the soil rather than the formicarium. You can, however, use fake plants and other decorations. Just make sure that they are completely sterile. There should also be a water source in the outworld for the ants to remain hydrated while foraging. A simple test tube setup should work.

Thanks!

For liquid teflon, good to know! I tried to google the PTFE, and majority were like Thread sealant for pipes, but those are labeled "With" PTFE, is this what I'd use? This is more for future reference, if I do decide to get Solenopsis, I don't think I get Crematogaster here.

Appreciated, I'll keep note of that!

[sgheaton]

You can find Crematogasters in Colorado...........Kujawaorchids has. They've been incredibly successful in their anting this year.

[MegaMyrmex]

You can find Crematogasters in Colorado...........Kujawaorchids has. They've been incredibly successful in their anting this year.

Yeah in August I went anting and the sidewalks were LITTERED woth crematogaster queens. I collected very easily about 20 but i lost half of them due to infertility, mold, etc. I actuallu ran out of test tubes and had to use vinyl tubing as a substitute.

[sgheaton]

My "success rate" this year was abysmal compared to year 1. At least half of the captured L. Flavus queens died. Mind you they are still in empty containers so I can't really blame anyone but myself.....

 

Glad you were able to find some Crematogasters.  

[AntHUB]

I never even saw a camponotus queen

but i have seen a bunch of polyergus, When I collected them somebody stole them while i was using the rest room