Formicariums?

[SandDeku]

Sorry for posting a lot of questions. But I'm trying to get all of my questions answered if possible.
Uhh anyone know how I can keep an ant farm that provides visual(for gathering), and tunnels(not the deeper tunnels), as well as prevent any escapees.

Anyone know where to find queen ants? Though... In my house right now... Like inside of my house there are a ton of ants by the stairs. Where can I get the queen from inside my house? Or outside? Any pictures on how to safely keep ant farms with the efficiency of being able to feed them without any climbing out? As well as big enough to provide visual aesthetics?

 

[H. laoticus]

I used the search function on "ants" and found some pretty good reads.

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=204364&highlight=ants

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=97748

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=4270&highlight=ants

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=194615&highlight=ants

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=190199&highlight=ants

 

[SandDeku]

I used the search function on "ants" and found some pretty good reads.

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=204364&highlight=ants

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=97748

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=4270&highlight=ants

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=194615&highlight=ants

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=190199&highlight=ants

Thanks. :8o

---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------

when they say "test tube" set up. Do they mean that's basically all they need to live for ever in? Inside a small test tube? I'm confused by that term..

 

[H. laoticus]

Thanks. :8o

---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------

when they say "test tube" set up. Do they mean that's basically all they need to live for ever in? Inside a small test tube? I'm confused by that term..

No problem lol
I believe that means taking care of the queen until she pops out some workers.

 

[echostatic]

Antfarm.yuku.com is a great resource for antkeeping. You will find a hydrostone/ytong nest is best (and most practical) to keep most species in. Depending on where you live, this is a good time to find new queens out wandering around. I found two carpenter ant queens this year so far myself.

 

[SandDeku]

Antfarm.yuku.com is a great resource for antkeeping. You will find a hydrostone/ytong nest is best (and most practical) to keep most species in. Depending on where you live, this is a good time to find new queens out wandering around. I found two carpenter ant queens this year so far myself.

I'm looking for something that is not consider a "pest". So in the case it accidentally gets out. It won't survive long. Plus it'd be a secret. There's a colony of ants inside of my house. I'm thinking they're destructive so my mom's trying to kill em. Good thing I found some honey in my house. We almost never carry honey. Basically because I myself hate the taste of it. So does most of my family--- I'm not too much of a fan of sweets. Exception of some like icecream. Other than that--- not really. Aren't carpenter ants destructive? I'm hoping to find a species that is somewhat active and likes to forage often. Asides a harvester. I'm not too keen on aggressive ants(towards humans). I could go with a lasious niger or something. But I hear they're not overly active. Something that doesn't build an overly large colony. Like I know all ants have a large colony---- but some have even larger colonies than other.

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Btw. Does anyone know how I can identify an ant that is under a stepping stone in the entrance to my yard? Their nest is on sand basically.
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P.s. for ytong is there some other form of keeping it with using that? But not strictly just that? like putting it in a container for better viewing? With arena?

I'm also liking the termites. lol. I love the queen look. This may sound stupid--- but it reminds me of an old video game. lol. Anywho what are the largest species of ant in nj that one can safely keep? Without infestation problems? Or problems to finding them? I like when the ants go sometimes in a single file. It's flippin' sweet!

 

[echostatic]

Why do you need to keep the ants a secret? If you aren't allowed to have them, it wouldn be a good idea to keep them at all.

 

[SandDeku]

Why do you need to keep the ants a secret? If you aren't allowed to have them, it wouldn be a good idea to keep them at all.

mmm my dad's okay with it. My mom---- not so much. xD She never goes to my room so its okay.

 

[echostatic]

Ehh... I still wouldn't recommend it. Besides, if they do happen to get out, destructive or not, and she notices, I imagine you'll be in a heap of trouble. And they will get out, until you perfect the art of containing ants. (Some are trickier than others, I've had Solenopsis invicta escape several times, sometimes by the hundreds.) It's an art, really. Can you show her the interesting side of ants, try to turn her on to the idea?

 

[SandDeku]

Ehh... I still wouldn't recommend it. Besides, if they do happen to get out, destructive or not, and she notices, I imagine you'll be in a heap of trouble. And they will get out, until you perfect the art of containing ants. (Some are trickier than others, I've had Solenopsis invicta escape several times, sometimes by the hundreds.) It's an art, really. Can you show her the interesting side of ants, try to turn her on to the idea?

She's well... closeminded. xD But I can try to open her to the idea. I'm just fascinated by insects. If anything I'd have the formicarium ontop of water(not the ants--- the container). Imagine a mote. like the terrarium will be ontop of a pail of water to function as a mote.


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Btw what about keeping termites? Would they do well in a formicarium? I love the look of termites and their queen.

 

[echostatic]

Termites will need different care, depending on what kind you want to keep. Plus if they escape, it's generally a really bad thing. (The reproductives can fly and found new colonies in the home.) I don't have much experience keeping them myself.

BTW, some ant species can cross water moats.

 

[H. laoticus]

You can always keep an ant colony without the queen.

 

[echostatic]

A colony without a queen is a shadow of the real thing. If you get a lot of brood with the workers, you can get some fairly normal behavior, but with no queen or brood, the workers have no purpose and don't do much.

 

[SandDeku]

A colony without a queen is a shadow of the real thing. If you get a lot of brood with the workers, you can get some fairly normal behavior, but with no queen or brood, the workers have no purpose and don't do much.

Agreed. As for the other comments.


Echo: I understand some can cross water. But thats why I would pick one that CANNOT cross water.

I'd like to keep termites or something with that termite look. I understand their destructiveness. So I'm assumming the tank must be completely sealed but be able to open anytime I wish. As well Iam wondering if petroleum jelly works if I dab it on the sides?

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I wouldn't be comfortable keeping a colony of ants or termites without a queen. It bears no point. Workers are short lived.

Also wondering if there are ants that have that yellow/white look
I guess like this ones are the ones that interest me:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/506866
http://bugguide.net/node/view/509301

I can't think of any other. Asides of the little black ants as well.

One question is--- what are the tactics to keep ants in without many escapees or any at all?

And how do you keep the "princess" and "prince" (soon to be queen, and soon to die kings), how do you keep them from flying out and wreaking havoc? Can one capture them somehow and release them outside or kill them? Since that would pose a problem.

 

[H. laoticus]

A colony without a queen is a shadow of the real thing. If you get a lot of brood with the workers, you can get some fairly normal behavior, but with no queen or brood, the workers have no purpose and don't do much.

I would have to disagree about them not doing much. I've owned a few myself and they went about their business gathering and building. They built pretty elaborate tunnels as well. Since you want a long-term project, sure, a queen would be needed.

 

[SandDeku]

I would have to disagree about them not doing much. I've owned a few myself and they went about their business gathering and building. They built pretty elaborate tunnels as well. Since you want a long-term project, sure, a queen would be needed.

Yeah. That's what I'm trying to get. Thing is.... finding a queen may prove hard for a "newbie". I'd to know exactly where the queen would be in a colony--- should I decide to dismantle an already formed colony. OR how to tell if the queen is preggerz when I see her flying or on the ground. Etc.

 

[H. laoticus]

Yeah. That's what I'm trying to get. Thing is.... finding a queen may prove hard for a "newbie". I'd to know exactly where the queen would be in a colony--- should I decide to dismantle an already formed colony. OR how to tell if the queen is preggerz when I see her flying or on the ground. Etc.

You should definitely try to get a fresh queen during nuptial flights.
Here's the link on capturing queens: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=97748

 

[Louise E. Rothstein]

Agreed. As for the other comments.


Echo: I understand some can cross water. But thats why I would pick one that CANNOT cross water.

I'd like to keep termites or something with that termite look. I understand their destructiveness. So I'm assumming the tank must be completely sealed but be able to open anytime I wish. As well Iam wondering if petroleum jelly works if I dab it on the sides?

-----------------
I wouldn't be comfortable keeping a colony of ants or termites without a queen. It bears no point. Workers are short lived.

Also wondering if there are ants that have that yellow/white look
I guess like this ones are the ones that interest me:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/506866
http://bugguide.net/node/view/509301

I can't think of any other. Asides of the little black ants as well.

One question is--- what are the tactics to keep ants in without many escapees or any at all?

And how do you keep the "princess" and "prince" (soon to be queen, and soon to die kings), how do you keep them from flying out and wreaking havoc? Can one capture them somehow and release them outside or kill them? Since that would pose a problem.

If the ants are a local species they CAN be released outside.
If you don't have a butterfly net you might manage by popping a glass over each escapee,slipping a stiff sheet of paper under the glass and its feet,and carrying the whole shebang outside before you lift the glass from the paper.

 

[SandDeku]

If the ants are a local species they CAN be released outside.
If you don't have a butterfly net you might manage by popping a glass over each escapee,slipping a stiff sheet of paper under the glass and its feet,and carrying the whole shebang outside before you lift the glass from the paper.

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

 

[H. laoticus]

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

You can try a thin layer of vaseline or some similar substance. It worked for me after one of my scorpions was killed by ants; they couldn't get in again and in your case out lol.