5 replies to this topic

[Ameise]

I'm trying to make some sawdust/wood-shaving based formicaria for Camponotus, and walnut has a nice coloration that will let me see the brood.

 

I am a bit wary, however, as black walnut can be dangerous/deadly to some animals. I do know that in nature, carpenter ants *do* infest walnut trees, but I'm wondering if there are any risks to using walnut dust/shavings for queens and colonies?

[Volant]

http://forums.finewo...-dangeroustoxic

According to this forum, black Walnut wood contains natural pesticide to fight off insects. This may include Camponotus, but I'm not sure. I personally wouldn't risk it. (I'm no expert so I may be wrong)

[Ameise]

What wood species would be safe to use?

[drtrmiller]

I have been using walnut in a wood formicarium housing Camponotus the past couple months, with no observed ill effects.

Any questionable material may be tested for biocompatibility by placing a handful of workers on the material and observing the effects. Most environmental toxins result in small ants quickly losing motor control, which is very easily observed after minutes or hours of constant exposure. It is worth noting that many toxins that are harmful to mammals and other vertebrates do not affect insects, and vice versa; so even if walnut was somehow toxic to humans—a claim which I seriously doubt, given its overwhelming prevalence in woodworking—that doesn't necessarily translate into toxicity to insects.

Edited by drtrmiller, June 22 2017 - 5:11 AM.

[ultraex2]

I think it should be okay - not sure if there's a difference between the nuts and the actual tree, but I found a L. Alienus colony living in a black walnut and collected it awhile ago and they're still living in it, brood and all, with no problems so far except the fact that they're starting to outgrow it.

[Ameise]

Before I use the Walnut ones, I will test them on a worker. They are all still curing, anyways.

 

These are the tubes right now: http://imgur.com/a/ptfQK