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Concrete formicarium?

Started By Manitobant , Jul 6 2019 12:03 PM

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2 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Manitobant - Posted July 6 2019 - 12:03 PM

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Members
2,900 posts

LocationWinnipeg, Canada

My stepdad (parents are divorced) is a construction worker and I was wondering if I could use some of the concrete he has to make formicariums. I want to mainly make something similar to nurbs pencil case formicariums but I could theoretically make bigger constructions. Will this work and is it safe for ants?

Edited by Manitobant, July 6 2019 - 12:24 PM.

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 6 2019 - 6:31 PM

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3,307 posts

LocationOrange County, California

Well, it depends on the type of concrete. If it is too porous, then it might not work for small species. For big species it should work just fine. I think it depends on the lime content in the cement, as apparently lime deters, but does not kill ants. I personally think it could work.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies.

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant).

#3 Offline SuperFrank - Posted July 7 2019 - 3:49 AM

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207 posts

LocationFlorida, USA

Concrete would not be ideal as it contains gravel, however the ingredients used in it are safe and are the same main ingredients as grout (Portland cement and an aggregate) what would work better and what your stepdad definitely has access to is something called sand topping/sand mix, which is just Portland cement and sand, no large rocks.

Edited by SuperFrank, July 7 2019 - 3:52 AM.