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Solenopsis Ideal Captivity Conditions, Humidifier?


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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline AntPhycho - Posted January 21 2018 - 12:40 PM

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I was just wondering what are the preferred conditions that my Solenopsis Invicta colony would like the best. Now that I am basically starting from scratch with them I want them to explode and grow as fast as possible. People say that this is easy to do especially with Invicta but I have never had the "population explosion" that I have heard of. I know they like wet conditions but since I live in the middle of the desert, it is kinda hard to acquire these conditions. I was wondering if I could use a small humidifier in my ant room to make it more comfortable for them? I have always been afraid to use heating mats because I don't wanna accidentally cook them. I do wet their soil well, in hopes that the little extra moisture will boost them. Any other tips on how to boost this colony?  Yes, I am aware that if I am successful they could reach millions and potentially try to escape. Just so you know if they ever reach an amount I can no longer handle I will not release them, I will freeze them, so please hold back the invicta hate comments.  :yes:


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 


#2 Offline Ants_Texas - Posted January 21 2018 - 3:57 PM

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If the queen was caught near you, I don't think you would need too much humidity (since you're in a desert). If you're keeping them in a natural setup, keep half of the setup wet and the other half dry. No need to worry about cooking Solenopsis invicta. If they're in a tube, plug it and put the heat pad under the entrance side, this way you can see if they like the heat.



#3 Offline AntPhycho - Posted January 21 2018 - 4:17 PM

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If the queen was caught near you, I don't think you would need too much humidity (since you're in a desert). If you're keeping them in a natural setup, keep half of the setup wet and the other half dry. No need to worry about cooking Solenopsis invicta. If they're in a tube, plug it and put the heat pad under the entrance side, this way you can see if they like the heat.

Half wet and half dry, already wet the whole thing, I hope it doesn't have a negative effect...


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 


#4 Offline Ants_Texas - Posted January 21 2018 - 4:23 PM

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If the queen was caught near you, I don't think you would need too much humidity (since you're in a desert). If you're keeping them in a natural setup, keep half of the setup wet and the other half dry. No need to worry about cooking Solenopsis invicta. If they're in a tube, plug it and put the heat pad under the entrance side, this way you can see if they like the heat.

Half wet and half dry, already wet the whole thing, I hope it doesn't have a negative effect...

 

I'm sure it won't. Just only keep one side wet from now on. :)



#5 Offline AntPhycho - Posted January 21 2018 - 6:57 PM

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If the queen was caught near you, I don't think you would need too much humidity (since you're in a desert). If you're keeping them in a natural setup, keep half of the setup wet and the other half dry. No need to worry about cooking Solenopsis invicta. If they're in a tube, plug it and put the heat pad under the entrance side, this way you can see if they like the heat.

Half wet and half dry, already wet the whole thing, I hope it doesn't have a negative effect...

 

I'm sure it won't. Just only keep one side wet from now on. :)

 

One question, she already dug a founding chamber on one side, do I make the dry side on her founding chamber side or the wet on founding chamber side.


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 


#6 Offline Ants_Texas - Posted January 21 2018 - 7:10 PM

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If the queen was caught near you, I don't think you would need too much humidity (since you're in a desert). If you're keeping them in a natural setup, keep half of the setup wet and the other half dry. No need to worry about cooking Solenopsis invicta. If they're in a tube, plug it and put the heat pad under the entrance side, this way you can see if they like the heat.

Half wet and half dry, already wet the whole thing, I hope it doesn't have a negative effect...

 

I'm sure it won't. Just only keep one side wet from now on. :)

 

One question, she already dug a founding chamber on one side, do I make the dry side on her founding chamber side or the wet on founding chamber side.

 

Make the area she is in slightly moist. Then make the opposite half of the container wet. Continue to only slightly moisturize her area.



#7 Offline AntPhycho - Posted January 21 2018 - 7:16 PM

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If the queen was caught near you, I don't think you would need too much humidity (since you're in a desert). If you're keeping them in a natural setup, keep half of the setup wet and the other half dry. No need to worry about cooking Solenopsis invicta. If they're in a tube, plug it and put the heat pad under the entrance side, this way you can see if they like the heat.

Half wet and half dry, already wet the whole thing, I hope it doesn't have a negative effect...

 

I'm sure it won't. Just only keep one side wet from now on. :)

 

One question, she already dug a founding chamber on one side, do I make the dry side on her founding chamber side or the wet on founding chamber side.

 

Make the area she is in slightly moist. Then make the opposite half of the container wet. Continue to only slightly moisturize her area.

 

Ok so I have a few water pipettes so just a few drops on her founding chamber?


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 


#8 Offline Martialis - Posted January 21 2018 - 8:25 PM

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I don't think a humidifier is necessary. Just give them a test tube setup and leave them alone.

 

Also, aren't you in California? If so, then you probably want to get those ants IDed a second time to make sure they aren't S. invicta. You can't have them in CA, unfortunately.


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#9 Offline AntPhycho - Posted January 21 2018 - 8:52 PM

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I don't think a humidifier is necessary. Just give them a test tube setup and leave them alone.

 

Also, aren't you in California? If so, then you probably want to get those ants IDed a second time to make sure they aren't S. invicta. You can't have them in CA, unfortunately.

 

I don't think a humidifier is necessary. Just give them a test tube setup and leave them alone.

 

Also, aren't you in California? If so, then you probably want to get those ants IDed a second time to make sure they aren't S. invicta. You can't have them in CA, unfortunately.

 

She is already moved out of the test tube into the soil of the terrarium setup, I don't want to mess with her now. They are not illegal in all of CA, luckily in my county they do not have them on the blacklisted species,


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Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 


#10 Offline Noah Norman - Posted February 4 2018 - 9:08 AM

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How do you see ants that are blacklisted in a state?




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