43 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

LOL! For real?

[mmcguffi]

LOL! For real?

https://www.google.c...&biw=1164&hl=en

Edited by mmcguffi, November 9 2020 - 4:15 PM.

[TwistyPunch]

So far I've only stuck to ants as insect pets, but this sounds really cheap, cool, and easy! I live in GA where there are termites under every rock and stump. I don't know too much about termites/keeping termites, so excuse me if this is an obvious question, but will the workers turn into reproductives and inbreed in this thing? Or do they have to go through a nuptial flight like ants? Also, I would be keeping Eastern subterranean termites in this setup and I'm wondering if substrate is a must for them. I would be filling the Petri Dish entirely with wood, more like a Termitat in that aspect (I found a huge branch in my backyard that would PERFECTLY fit into my dish when cut into slices), and I would be keeping it super moist, but I don't know if subterranean termites would die without soil. Has anybody tried this out?
Thanks!

P.S.)I know this is an older thread, but it seemed like the one to post my termite questions on

Edited by TwistyPunch, February 14 2025 - 6:59 PM.

[Nare]

So far I've only stuck to ants as insect pets, but this sounds really cheap, cool, and easy! I live in GA where there are termites under every rock and stump. I don't know too much about termites/keeping termites, so excuse me if this is an obvious question, but will the workers turn into reproductives and inbreed in this thing? Or do they have to go through a nuptial flight like ants? Also, I would be keeping Eastern subterranean termites in this setup and I'm wondering if substrate is a must for them. I would be filling the Petri Dish entirely with wood, more like a Termitat in that aspect (I found a huge branch in my backyard that would PERFECTLY fit into my dish when cut into slices), and I would be keeping it super moist, but I don't know if subterranean termites would die without soil. Has anybody tried this out?
Thanks!

P.S.)I know this is an older thread, but it seemed like the one to post my termite questions on

- Yes the workers will turn into reproductives. You will likely collect some individuals from the nymphal caste that can also turn into reproductives. So no matter what you will get reproductives. You will want a couple hundred termites at least though - from my experience small groups don't really take off.

- Substrate is a good idea yes. Even for non-subterranean termites (like Zootermopsis) I'm thinking substrate isn't a bad idea because it can help regulate moisture.

- While a petri dish isn't a bad setup, in the time since I wrote this thread I've found termites usually do better in something larger. Think a plastic storage tote with a layer of soil and big blocks of wood ontop. I kept some in a fence post in a similar setup and they did really well. I think a petri dish is more of a short-term option, especially if you're founding from swarmers/imagoes. You might want to keep a "reserve" colony in a big bin and then sample individuals from that bin regularly to restock your petri dish setup.