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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2012 21:24:04 GMT 1
Hey guys,
I am planning to make my own plaster ant nest and perhaps use it for a Lasius Queen is I catch any in the flights. I am going to document each step of the process so that if anyone else wants to try their hand at building a formicarium they can either learn from my mistakes or copy any of my ideas that they like.
Hope you enjoy and comments welcome... ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2012 21:29:25 GMT 1
Day 1Today I dug out my last fish tank. It is only small but should be up to the job of holding a small colony in its first couple of years... I cleaned it out with fresh water and left it to dry. I didn't use as washing fluids as I was worried any residue may cause the ants harm. I have also purchased a block of white plasticine which I can use to mold with and a tub of plaster of paris. The reason I got white plasticine is because if it was a different color than it might leave marks on the final nest making it look unsightly - a little tip if you try to make one of these yourself Picture: Shows the dirty old fish tank, Plaster of paris (£3.50), Plasticine (£1.75) and my dog.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2012 21:45:02 GMT 1
Day 2Today, with the help of my younger sister, I used the plasticine to mold the tunnels and chambers of the ant nest. We started quite simple with just a few sausage shapes and round balls. The idea was then to put them together in an interesting way and smooth them out into different shapes so it looks like a natural ant tunnel/chamber Picture: The final design of the chambers and tunnels made from plasticine. After creating the final design for the nest we set about making the Plaster of Paris mixture... Note to anyone who trys making up the mixture - do use too much water! The mix was very runny but we just kept stirring and it eventually started to thicken up. Picture: Mixing the Plaster of Paris. As the formicarium stands now, it is filled with 2 1/2 inchs of the mix which will be left to set over night. I put in a small piece of wood to leave room on top for the ants to forage. I have pored the plaster onto the design on the bottom of the tank which I will then remove tomorrow and attach it to the side. Picture: As the formicarium stands now the clamp is to stop the wood from floating.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2012 21:52:44 GMT 1
Sounds great fraggs, kewp us posted!
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2012 22:00:51 GMT 1
Sounds great fraggs, kewp us posted! Thanks jon, and I sure will! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2012 22:36:01 GMT 1
If i get a bug box like the one i used for my stick insects, it would be really good. If I can get it with my money, then i may get my dad to help me create a plaster nest. The idea of the tunnels looks good. If they go around all sides and have lot's of chambers a colony can do well. Once the plaster dries, you should add a small layer of sand to the top of the plaster with glue, and then add wood and stones. The ants would like that.
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