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If I were to use soil? What type

soil ants hibernation new year bang bang

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12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline CamponotusLover - Posted March 3 2017 - 8:59 AM

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So, I have not yet taken my ants out of hibernation but idk if I should now, nor have I checked them ALL winter so I don't know if they are alive.

 

But anyway, I am thinking about making an outworld with some soil/dirt.

 

What kind to use?

 

I mean i know the whole baking dirt from outside thing, but are there any other options?

 

Perhaps I could buy a bag of good soil that won't harm ants from home depot or something?

 

eh?

 

 


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#2 Offline Alabama Anter - Posted March 3 2017 - 9:17 AM

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You can buy Aqua Soil made for aquariums and fishies.


YJK


#3 Offline Martialis - Posted March 3 2017 - 9:20 AM

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Soil without pesticides or artificial fertilizer.


Edited by Martialis, March 3 2017 - 9:20 AM.

Spoiler

#4 Offline CamponotusLover - Posted March 3 2017 - 9:31 AM

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You can buy Aqua Soil made for aquariums and fishies.

Oh thanks!

 

Soil without pesticides or artificial fertilizer.

I know that! But this thread asks what type to get? I am looking for that type of soil, but I need names, where to buy, or what type, yknow?



#5 Offline BMM - Posted March 3 2017 - 10:30 AM

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It's not purchasable obviously, but I get my soil from nearby ant nests. It's pretty much guaranteed to be safe and it's in a nice granulated form.



#6 Offline dspdrew - Posted March 3 2017 - 10:36 AM

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Yeah, why not just use soil from their natural habitat?


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#7 Offline Martialis - Posted March 3 2017 - 10:54 AM

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There's a company that sells Indiana dirt near me. I'm probably going to buy from them if I ever make a soil nest.


Spoiler

#8 Offline andavane - Posted March 3 2017 - 11:08 AM

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So, I have not yet taken my ants out of hibernation but idk if I should now, nor have I checked them ALL winter so I don't know if they are alive.

 

But anyway, I am thinking about making an outworld with some soil/dirt.

 

What kind to use?

 

I mean i know the whole baking dirt from outside thing, but are there any other options?

 

Perhaps I could buy a bag of good soil that won't harm ants from home depot or something?

 

eh?

  Tried this?
      http://www.ebay.co.u...ziNJTOBQ-mshPdQ



#9 Offline Loops117 - Posted March 3 2017 - 11:09 AM

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I use organic soil from home depot. The brand is "earth ____" i forgot the actual name. Black bag with an earth on it.

This soil i've used in a couple of my builds and it hold very very well. My panera cup farm for example uses that soil. It has been dropped, kicked, as well as the sides being compressed and the tunnels NEVER collapsed. It's also not sterilized, so there's added beneficial nutrients and fungus that help. It also never gunked the walls, so i was always able to see my ants.

 

Not saying that soil directly from the area isn't the best, but it could have other issues. Spent nutrients, mites or bugs that were closing in to the nest (if that's possible) or even the chance of old fertilizer or pesticides that could be in the dirt.  I've never had any of these issues with soil from the area, but i also don't use that soil after the colony is moved. Just throwing that out there.



#10 Offline antgenius123 - Posted March 3 2017 - 11:15 AM

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I know eco earth is pretty common in pet shops.


 
Currently own:
(1x) Camponotus Sp.
(1x) Pheidole aurivillii (?)
(1x) Monomorium Sp. (?)

Other

#11 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted March 3 2017 - 11:35 AM

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Coconut fiber substrate is great for most insects including ants, and is basically mold proof.

Edited by Nathant2131, March 3 2017 - 11:35 AM.


#12 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 16 2019 - 10:31 AM

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Would the peat used to grow carnivorous plants work? I know it has no fertilizer, and it holds its structure well.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#13 Offline SuperFrank - Posted July 16 2019 - 11:42 AM

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Cocofiber and sand is a great and simple substrate





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