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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2012 18:53:52 GMT 1
I am 90% that I want this species, now. I already have 2 ants in dirt farms ( Myrmica Rubra and Lasius Niger). And especially for the Rubra's it is very obvious that even when tunnels which are against the side are often covered in sand particles, which makes it vAry hard to see anything. So I have decided to make a y-tong nest. I will most likely have this flat down in a 25X15X15 foraging arena, covered in a glass plate. The only problem is going to be providing darkness. Do they NEED darkness, my desk doesn't get much light anyway? On here I also read that nest need to be moist whatever the substance is, is this true?Thanks guys, if you want to suggest anything else please do.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2012 19:33:24 GMT 1
I don't really understand what you mean by "flat down in a... foraging arena." Do you mean with the chambers facing up or down? For now I'll assume you mean they're facing up, as when they're facing down it would be hard to see into them. I would suggest having the chambers up against the side of the arena instead, with something taped on the outside of the glass to provide darkness, or perhaps having the ytong nest completely external, connected to the arena with a tube. They may get used to light, but that is not guaranteed.
I don't know much about Pheidole pallidula, but most British ants do require a moist nest. I think if you have a sort of reservoir dug into the ytong but not directly connected to the chambers, and fill it with water, the water will soak through the ytong given time, making the nest moist.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2012 19:37:21 GMT 1
Thanks for the help billy.. Exal
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2012 20:27:06 GMT 1
No problem.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 10:21:19 GMT 1
I wanted To make a Ytong nest so I bought some aerated concrete, carved it out perfect, but the ant's died...
I dislike Ytong unless the ant's don't die.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 10:48:02 GMT 1
I wanted To make a Ytong nest so I bought some aerated concrete, carved it out perfect, but the ant's died... I dislike Ytong unless the ant's don't die. You can't say it's the ytong, as many people have had success with it, and one occasion of a colony dying is not conclusive evidence by any means.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 12:26:08 GMT 1
I have held 3 colonies in the Aerated concrete and they all died!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 12:43:33 GMT 1
Pheidole pallidula likes a fairly dry environment, but it should still be slightly moist and preferably have a source of water (Wet cotton). They are tiny enough that condensation can drown them if you're not careful, although this hasn't happened to me so far. They're ferocious little predators and are surprisingly strong- I once saw a cricket seemingly moving on its own, but on closer inspection it was being pulled by one worker- a feat that is comparable to a Human attempting to pull a bus. They like spiders as well (Dead of course) and queens are quite prolific when they're fed and happy. Good luck if you get this species.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 13:21:08 GMT 1
Thanks. And rubra did you use a toxic glue?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 15:33:12 GMT 1
Silicone, Even Myrm said Silicone would be fine If it is left to dry.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 15:46:45 GMT 1
I dunno then, maybe just unlucky I have seen huge colonies on youtube living in ytong and heard of some as well.
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Post by icewhyte on Feb 4, 2012 18:56:50 GMT 1
I think the key is to have large numbers before putting the ants in the ytong nest.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 19:52:13 GMT 1
Oh I only had like 7 with my fusca's :L
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Post by icewhyte on Feb 4, 2012 22:02:03 GMT 1
Yeh my had about 15 in my barbarus colony and they died when winter kicked in so this time I am going to get to them to around 30-40 workers before letting them loose in the ytong.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 22:47:51 GMT 1
My room gets very hot in summer and stays hot in winter. So no chance of dying of cold. I guess I could "grow" a big colony as they are very small ants.
Does anybody know why they are risk class 3 on antstore?
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