- Formiculture.com
- Forums
- Gallery
- Members
- Member Map
- Chat
How do you clean your Mini Hearths and/or your TarHeel Formicaira?
Started By
TechAnt
, Jun 1 2020 5:36 PM
12 replies to this topic
#1 Offline - Posted June 1 2020 - 5:36 PM
So, I just used a Mini Hearth for my Pheidole, then I noticed it was a little bit too large for them. So I swapped it out with a Ants Australia Founding Formicarium, which fit them great. But that is besides the point, anyways the Pheidole left err....past food and..stuff. I just came to ask how you clean your TarHeel Formicaria and/or specifically Mini Hearths. I just picked out the stuff that was not difficult to reach with tweezers, then soaked my Mini Hearth in warm water, and now letting it dry. But I’m not sure if this is the best method, so I came to ask experienced ant keepers how to properly clean these kinds of set-ups.
Thanks in advance, TechAnt.
Thanks in advance, TechAnt.
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
#2 Offline - Posted June 1 2020 - 7:06 PM
I would take off the glass and soak it in hot water.
Currently Keeping:
Pogonomyrmex Californicus Bicolor & Concolor
Pogonomyrmex Subnitidius
Camponotus Sansabeanus
#3 Offline - Posted June 2 2020 - 6:30 AM
I heard somewhere that you can soak the nest in Ammonia for a few days to kill off any mold or fungi living in the nest. Not sure if this is a valid option or if it even works, but it is something you could try if you're having issues with dirty nests after the hot water soak.
Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis
Pheidole pilifera
Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi
Pheidole bicarinata
Aphaenogaster rudis
Camponotus chromaiodes
Formica sp. (microgena species)
Nylanderia cf. arenivega
#4 Offline - Posted June 2 2020 - 10:08 AM
I tried what Broncos said, it seemed to wash out all the stuff where I put it in a tray where it would soak for a few hours. Then I covered the sink in towels so the gravel did not get in, and I poured the water out. Now it seems clean and ready, not sure about the ammonia thing, theoretically it could work. Not saying I know anything about ammonia cleaning methods for nests.
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
#5 Offline - Posted June 2 2020 - 1:15 PM
A toothbrush works great, but be careful around the mesh.
- ANTdrew and Ants_Dakota like this
I accidentally froze all my ants
#6 Offline - Posted June 3 2020 - 10:43 AM
On a Type III I have used a H2O2 solution soak, followed by a rinse and a vinegar soak, followed by a thorough rinse/soak in plain water, followed by sun drying.
As a warning I have used the freezer to kill mites and it cracked the outworld.
Formiculture Journals::
Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli
Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola
Liometopum occidentale; Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus
Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus
Tetramorium sp.
Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis
Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus
Spoods: Phidippus sp.
#7 Offline - Posted June 3 2020 - 12:10 PM
I tried what Broncos said, it seemed to wash out all the stuff where I put it in a tray where it would soak for a few hours. Then I covered the sink in towels so the gravel did not get in, and I poured the water out. Now it seems clean and ready, not sure about the ammonia thing, theoretically it could work. Not saying I know anything about ammonia cleaning methods for nests.
So... YAY? It worked? I have a mini Hearth, and have never cleaned it out yet so this will help me.
Currently Keeping:
Pogonomyrmex Californicus Bicolor & Concolor
Pogonomyrmex Subnitidius
Camponotus Sansabeanus
#8 Offline - Posted June 3 2020 - 6:37 PM
So... YAY? It worked? I have a mini Hearth, and have never cleaned it out yet so this will help me.I tried what Broncos said, it seemed to wash out all the stuff where I put it in a tray where it would soak for a few hours. Then I covered the sink in towels so the gravel did not get in, and I poured the water out. Now it seems clean and ready, not sure about the ammonia thing, theoretically it could work. Not saying I know anything about ammonia cleaning methods for nests.
Oh yeah, it worked completely and nothing is leftover, and I will introduce my C. Vicinus Queen to she if she likes it.
- Broncos likes this
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
#9 Offline - Posted June 3 2020 - 6:40 PM
I even flooded the outworld, it cleaned up anything left out there. Only thing was it got rid of the fluon, which I had just applied onto it, but I have more so whatever
- Broncos likes this
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen
#10 Offline - Posted June 4 2020 - 4:58 AM
Good.
Currently Keeping:
Pogonomyrmex Californicus Bicolor & Concolor
Pogonomyrmex Subnitidius
Camponotus Sansabeanus
#11 Offline - Posted June 4 2020 - 10:08 AM
FYI, the February 16 entry in the Tar Heel Ants Ant Blog covers the cleaning of their formicaria. No soaps, warm water with a toothbrush along with spot cleaning with a water-alcohol or water-vinegar mix.
- OhNoNotAgain and Ants_Dakota like this
#12 Offline - Posted June 4 2020 - 8:14 PM
For a deep clean, I always use baking soda and vinegar, although I have never used it for these nests.
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. -Proverbs 6: 6-8
My South Dakotan Shop Here
Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)
#13 Offline - Posted June 4 2020 - 10:55 PM
FYI, the February 16 entry in the Tar Heel Ants Ant Blog covers the cleaning of their formicaria. No soaps, warm water with a toothbrush along with spot cleaning with a water-alcohol or water-vinegar mix.
Yeah I talked with Mack quite a bit. No bleach, no heat. H2O2 solution sounded like it might be okay so that's why I tried it, along with the vinegar solution. And freezer. The crack sucks but the outworld is still usable.
Formiculture Journals::
Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli
Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola
Liometopum occidentale; Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus
Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus
Tetramorium sp.
Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis
Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus
Spoods: Phidippus sp.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users