I know that in the united states, the ant keeping community normally stay's clear away from dirt nests. Although there are some exceptions, for the most part, the online community in the U.S. houses their ants in artificial setups.
Though this site ( http://queenant.proboards.com) has made me realize, that natural nests might just be the way to go.. Now we all know the downsides to natural nest: It can be hard to see them. They are hard to hydrate. That's the old way of doing things...
Well many journal's on this site have people using natural nests. The ants seem a lot more prolific, and they LOVE digging in the dirt. Some people there just have a tank full of dirt, with plants and intricate decor. This would be a good idea for large colonies. If you have a large Solenopsis invicta, or geminata, or whatever... All you see is ants, and brood, and more ants. You never really see the queen. So why not give them what they want?
I know natural nest's aren't very popular, but you almost have to with some species, such as Pogonomyrmex, Carebara diversus, myrmecocystus, Ponera, Paraponera, Formica rufa group, underground lasius sp, and many more.
One of the dirt nests recomended there was a product called "Worm World" ( http://www.amazon.co...PGHKFXF9YQEP931) I am thinking about getting one, and housing my Aphaenogaster tennesseensis colony.
So what do you guys think about natural nests? Love 'em or hate 'em?