12 replies to this topic

[Jonny8040]

Hey guys,
I’ve never kept termites in my entire life, and I was thinking about trying it. After doing some research, I believe what is most common around me is the Easter subterranean termite. If I built something like the termitat, would they live in that or do they NEED soil to nest in?

Thanks

In Jesus,
Jonny

Edited by Jonny8040, August 3 2020 - 5:48 PM.

[ponerinecat]

Hey guys,
I’ve never kept termites in my entire life, and I was thinking about trying it. After doing some research, I believe what is most common around me is the Easter subterranean termite. If I built something like the termitat, would they live in that or do they NEED soil to nest in?

Thanks

In Jesus,
Jonny

Subterranean termites are subterranean for a reason. They won't really nest in wood. You can raise them in a test tube, though. Just stuff it with dirt and rotten wood/plant material.

[Antkid12]

I mostly find them under rocks in the woods.

[ANTdrew]

One of my successful pairs just kicked the bucket. These are a lot harder than you’d expect. Nare’s guide in the Termite Keeping section covers everything you need to know.
In VA, I find hundreds of alates flying around Memorial Day. They fly around 12:00pm.

[Jonny8040]

Thank you! If I get workers and nymphs will this species turn into reproductive adults? I know some species will and I didn’t know if they would or not

[ANTdrew]

Yes, they will, but getting a king and queen is a better route, according to Nare. He’s the expert on these, but he hasn’t been active in a while, sadly.

[Jonny8040]

Yes, they will, but getting a king and queen is a better route, according to Nare. He’s the expert on these, but he hasn’t been active in a while, sadly.

So it’s possible to have a colony start from reproductive workers? Sorry to keep asking questions but I’ve never kept them before haha. Will the workers become king and queen?

[Jonny8040]

And could they managed to chew through a clear plastic box?

[ANTdrew]

https://www.formicul...es/#entry150455
Nare hasn’t had much luck starting reproductives from worker groups, so I doubt I would either.

[ponerinecat]

And could they managed to chew through a clear plastic box?

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't.

[ponerinecat]

 

Yes, they will, but getting a king and queen is a better route, according to Nare. He’s the expert on these, but he hasn’t been active in a while, sadly.

So it’s possible to have a colony start from reproductive workers? Sorry to keep asking questions but I’ve never kept them before haha. Will the workers become king and queen?

 

It is possible, but It's not a very predictable way to keep termites. I've never had any luck, even if I include unmated reproductives that were previously workers in the group.

[VenomousBeast]

I’ve kept Reticulitermes flavipes no problem with just workers and nymphs! (The nymphs are what you want cause the workers tend to not morph much afterwards and don’t tend to become reproductives but the nymphs do! It just takes 6ish months)

[LC3]

They aren’t dependent on soil. Really you’ll want to pay attention to the number collected, humidity + temperature and the type of wood used. Ideally if starting from a colony chunk you’ll want at least 100 workers, preferably a soldier and some nymphs; the more the merrier. Humidity and temp wise they should be kept at high humidity and around room temp (20-25C). Wood preference is more of trial and error but do not use sound wood, use rotten wood instead.

Edited by LC3, August 17 2020 - 8:45 PM.