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Is Vaseline a Good Ant Barrier?

ant barrier fluon vaseline

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21 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Ender Ants - Posted October 1 2017 - 6:54 PM

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Is it ok if I just use vaseline as an ant barrier? Or would it be better if I used something else? 

 

Thanks!



#2 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted October 1 2017 - 6:56 PM

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It depends on the species a lot.


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#3 Offline Ender Ants - Posted October 1 2017 - 6:57 PM

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It depends on the species a lot.

What about Lasius?



#4 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted October 1 2017 - 6:59 PM

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It depends on the species a lot.

What about Lasius?

 

I'm pretty sure that would work, it usually does not work for Aphaenogaster and I think a lot of other long legged ants


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#5 Offline Ender Ants - Posted October 1 2017 - 7:01 PM

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It depends on the species a lot.

What about Lasius?

 

I'm pretty sure that would work, it usually does not work for Aphaenogaster and I think a lot of other long legged ants

 

So, don't use vaseline as a barrier for long legged ants? Does dorymyrmex bicolor count as long legged ants?



#6 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted October 2 2017 - 3:44 AM

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For any ant species, I rememver this rule-
When in doubt, always choosr baby powder.
It even keeps my T. Sessile from climbing up the walls(and also keeps me from driving up the walls
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Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

 


#7 Offline Ender Ants - Posted October 2 2017 - 3:18 PM

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For any ant species, I rememver this rule-
When in doubt, always choosr baby powder.
It even keeps my T. Sessile from climbing up the walls(and also keeps me from driving up the walls

Alright, I'll keep that one in mind!



#8 Offline AntsCalifornia - Posted December 7 2017 - 10:15 PM

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Plain baby powder, or mixed in alcohol? 



#9 Offline dermy - Posted December 7 2017 - 10:49 PM

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I prefer to use Oils, like Canola Oil but I've heard others use Olive oil too.



#10 Offline T.C. - Posted December 7 2017 - 11:11 PM

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I prefer to use Oils, like Canola Oil but I've heard others use Olive oil too.


Olive, canola, and veggie oil all work. Fluon is no doubt the best though.
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“If I am killed for simply living, let death be kinder than man.” -Althea Davis

#11 Offline Diesel - Posted December 8 2017 - 4:53 AM

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all barriers have there pros and cons. IMO baby powder alcohol works the best. other barriers like oils and vaseline allow ants to carry substrate and body parts that will stick so they can cross a barrier. food for thought.


Edited by Diesel, December 8 2017 - 5:03 AM.

Ant Species kept

 

Temnothorax Longispinosus.-Journal(discontinued)-(formerly)

Camponotus Noveboracensis (formerly)

Camponotus Nearticus-formerly

Tetramorium sp.-formerly

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Queen & brood.-formerly

Tapinoma Sessile-Journal (3 queen colony)-formerly

​Tapinoma  Sessile #2 (2 queen colony)-formerly

Aphaenogaster Picea-Journal-active

Crematogaster sp.(Cerasi or Lineolata) Queen with 3 workers and brood-formerly

​Crematogaster sp. #2 (Cerasi or Lineolata) Queen with brood-formerly

Formica sp. polygenus-active 300+ workers-active

Formica Subsericea-active 25+ workers-active

Myrmica Rubra 400+ workers 3 queens-active


#12 Offline Goldsystem - Posted December 8 2017 - 7:46 PM

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Vaseline failed to keep in my first ant colony when I first started ant keeping, that's the only time I've had a queen escape.



#13 Offline Penguin - Posted December 8 2017 - 7:59 PM

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Vaseline failed to keep in my first ant colony when I first started ant keeping, that's the only time I've had a queen escape.

 

I used it for one of my current Formica colonies, needless to say, I had to keep the lid on.

 

I knew they could cross it when I lost one nanitec and when the queen crawled out onto my hand as I was feeding them  :lol:


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I'm here to learn, mostly. 

:hi:


#14 Offline Serafine - Posted December 9 2017 - 3:36 AM

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Formica specifically like to cover sticky barrriers such as vaseline with debris.

We should respect all forms of consciousness. The body is just a vessel, a mere hull.

Welcome to Lazy Tube - My Camponotus Journal


#15 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted December 9 2017 - 4:04 AM

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It depends on the species a lot.

What about Lasius?

 

I'm pretty sure that would work, it usually does not work for Aphaenogaster and I think a lot of other long legged ants

 

Yeah, my Aphaenogaster can climb pretty much anything. 


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#16 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted December 9 2017 - 4:11 AM

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 Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly is the weakest barrier, suitable for ants that can't climb smooth surfaces, such as Tetramorium and Pogonomyrmex. PTFE/Fluon is very effective and can contain virtually all ants. However, it is fairly pricey. What I find works just as well is talcum powder mixed with rubbing alcohol. So far, I haven't had any species that can walk over it.


Edited by Mettcollsuss, December 9 2017 - 4:13 AM.


#17 Offline Lazarus - Posted January 2 2018 - 12:57 PM

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When buying Baby Powder to mix with alcohol as a barrier, do I have to worry about scented/unscented brands? Will any baby powder do?


My online ant spreadsheet


#18 Offline Kevin - Posted January 2 2018 - 1:47 PM

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I suggest vegetable oil over talcum powder and Vaseline. Vaseline is probably the worst barrier I have every used, it's slimy and a pain to get off.


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#19 Offline EllisWyatt - Posted January 2 2018 - 5:47 PM

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Will any baby powder do?

 

This is something I was wondering. Most baby powder sold around me that I've seen isn't made of talcum powder; it's made of corn starch. Being organic, I would think it could promote bacterial or fungal growth, but I don't actually know one way or another. Is corn starch ok as well? Does it depend on the humidity maintained in the formicarium/out world that it's used in? I made sure to buy talcum powder because it's what I've seen recommended, but I haven't seen anyone mention anything about corn starch.



#20 Offline Zeiss - Posted January 2 2018 - 8:57 PM

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If you wish to use vaseline, it will work best in humid conditions.  If you live somewhere with low humidity levels, it will not hold. 


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