Formicariums?

[desertanimal]

Is there a way to prevent any non-flying yet possibly climbing escapees?

Fluon. (10 characters)

 

[echostatic]

Definitely fluon. It also goes by the name Insect-a-slip. I use it and it works great.

 

[H. laoticus]

Definitely fluon. It also goes by the name Insect-a-slip. I use it and it works great.

Cool, didn't know there was an official insect barrier

 

[SandDeku]

Definitely fluon. It also goes by the name Insect-a-slip. I use it and it works great.

insect-a-slip? Will it harm them? Also will it wear off?

 

[H. laoticus]

insect-a-slip? Will it harm them? Also will it wear off?

If you google fluon you will be able to see that it's safe and easy to apply as well as clean off. I'm reading that it will last quite a long time if you keep your container dry, but you can always apply a new layer.

 

[SandDeku]

If you google fluon you will be able to see that it's safe and easy to apply as well as clean off. I'm reading that it will last quite a long time if you keep your container dry, but you can always apply a new layer.

To be on the safeside. How often should I apply a new layer?

 

[H. laoticus]

From what I understand, it depends on the conditions the fluon is in. If the area is kept dry and nothing touches the fluon layer, then it can last a very long time. If you notice that the layer is losing its integrity based on the insects' contact with it over time or due to moisture, just apply again.

 

[SandDeku]

From what I understand, it depends on the conditions the fluon is in. If the area is kept dry and nothing touches the fluon layer, then it can last a very long time. If you notice that the layer is losing its integrity based on the insects' contact with it over time or due to moisture, just apply again.

Where could one buy fluon asides online? And I can't seem to find testubes for sale in stores.... I looked everywhere. Anything else I can use to keep the queen in instead of testubes?

 

[H. laoticus]

I don't know where else you'd buy it besides online unless there's a hobbyist nearby that can sell it to you. Fluon is pricey as well, but vaseline and vegetable oil are other alternatives you can try out.
As for a test tube substitute, you can try otter pops or bolis, which are basically sweet, flavored ice sticks. I don't know if you have them in your area though.

The cases they're in aren't sturdy, but it looks like they'll work. Just be creative with it, there are plenty of things you can make/use.

 

[SandDeku]

I don't know where else you'd buy it besides online unless there's a hobbyist nearby that can sell it to you. Fluon is pricey as well, but vaseline and vegetable oil are other alternatives you can try out.
As for a test tube substitute, you can try otter pops or bolis, which are basically sweet, flavored ice sticks. I don't know if you have them in your area though.

The cases they're in aren't sturdy, but it looks like they'll work. Just be creative with it, there are plenty of things you can make/use.

So I'm not limited to just a test tube? Wonder if I can find a substitute for the test tube thing. Sadly my parents don't allow those popsicles at my house. Too sugary. Plus no one in my family is too much of a fan of them. Most we get for icecream is just regular vanilla ice cream every couple of months(which I worf it down since its one of the few sweet foods I do like--- but rarely eat lol.) I'm wondering exactly what the environment has to be for the queen. Because they said mini atmosphere. The whole testtube thing.

Wondering if a jar would work.

Ill try looking for long and thin test tube- like objects that I could perhaps use.

---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:03 PM ----------

I know this is a very stupid question. Should I fail at finding newly mated queen ants(Currently Iam ill-- severe cold/possible infection) is it possible to buy queens online? Or another member from the SAME state sell one to me or give one?
I heard a german store called "antstore" can ship ants. But not sure if to the us.

 

[echostatic]

Test tubes are popular for queen rearing because it is easy to simply fill them a bit more than halfway full of water and stuff a cotton ball in there, to create a long term water source for the queen. This would not be as easy to do with a jar.

I recommend going to a pet store and buying clear aquarium tubing. You can use that in place of a test tube. Just plug one end up good so the water cannot leak out.

As for buying queens, it is illegal to transport queens across state lines. You are unlikely to find anyone selling queens either. This is the season, so just do your best to remain observant and ready.

 

[SandDeku]

Test tubes are popular for queen rearing because it is easy to simply fill them a bit more than halfway full of water and stuff a cotton ball in there, to create a long term water source for the queen. This would not be as easy to do with a jar.

I recommend going to a pet store and buying clear aquarium tubing. You can use that in place of a test tube. Just plug one end up good so the water cannot leak out.

As for buying queens, it is illegal to transport queens across state lines. You are unlikely to find anyone selling queens either. This is the season, so just do your best to remain observant and ready.

if all else fails. I know that you can dig up a nest and take the queen. This will sound messed up so please forgive me for the gruesome and messed up idea but wondering if this would work: coax them out by stress. aka water, invaders(another group of more aggressive ants--- soldiers). Or how do I get one without hurting the nest itself and without so much hassle as well not have to wait for the flight of the ants? because dear lord its extremely hard to get any queens...


--------------
As for the tubing... Will a tubing thats similar to the one for "siphoning" work? Not the airline tubing(though I do have those as well), How would I close one end to hold the water in though?

maybe if I put more cotton balls in there???? It would cause a blockage. Plus binding it with something else will help stop any leaks?

 

[echostatic]

You can dig up a queen, but depending on species and maturity of the colony, this will be anything from fairly easy to impossible. Plus you run the risk of killing the queen or simply not finding her and destroying her colony. Different tactics will work for removing a colony depending on the situation. I would really recommend spending the next few months looking for a queen first though, as they really aren't that hard to find if you keep an eye to the ground all the time. I saw one scurrying along just yesterday.

Siphon tubing and airline tubing are pretty much the same thing, as far as I can tell. You really just need a tube with a large enough inside diameter. Plugging the end with cotton should work, and should make it easy to refill with water if that becomes necessary.

 

[SandDeku]

You can dig up a queen, but depending on species and maturity of the colony, this will be anything from fairly easy to impossible. Plus you run the risk of killing the queen or simply not finding her and destroying her colony. Different tactics will work for removing a colony depending on the situation. I would really recommend spending the next few months looking for a queen first though, as they really aren't that hard to find if you keep an eye to the ground all the time. I saw one scurrying along just yesterday.

Siphon tubing and airline tubing are pretty much the same thing, as far as I can tell. You really just need a tube with a large enough inside diameter. Plugging the end with cotton should work, and should make it easy to refill with water if that becomes necessary.

Hmm okay. Thank you for the input. Any time of day where I may see them more often btw? I'm a midday-- to afternoon person. I wake up 11am or so. Sometimes earlier but rarely. I go back in by 6pm or 7ish pm.

 

[echostatic]

Again, it really all depends. I've found queens in the morning, midday, evening, and my newest queens were found wandering at 1am. Just keep an eye to the ground for the next few months every time you go out, and a few small containers on your person for when you do find one.

If you live around Solenopsis invicta, the red imported fire ant, it's impossible to NOT did them when they fly. I found so many last year without trying. They're easy to raise, but form huge colonies and are excellent at escaping.

 

[SandDeku]

Again, it really all depends. I've found queens in the morning, midday, evening, and my newest queens were found wandering at 1am. Just keep an eye to the ground for the next few months every time you go out, and a few small containers on your person for when you do find one.

If you live around Solenopsis invicta, the red imported fire ant, it's impossible to NOT did them when they fly. I found so many last year without trying. They're easy to raise, but form huge colonies and are excellent at escaping.

see that's what I DON't want. I'm thinking of going for lasius niger. The little black ant. I just went outside found nothing. I went back in within 15mins(still sick--- should be able to fully go outside tomorrow without any problems. Tommorrow will be sunny). I just don't want anything that can escape easily--- or will give me a huge hassle. lol. I did manage to find some spiders but that's for another thread.

I think I saw a flying ant inside my house... It has green metallic sheen in its face(I tried catching it--- but my mom kept bugging me. It got away--- now I can't seem to find it) it was hovering over the kitchen light. Kept buzzing at it persay.