Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Cardboard nest for pavement ants?

cardboard nest pavement ants

  • Please log in to reply
7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Antlover23 - Posted May 4 2022 - 4:20 AM

Antlover23

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts

Hi, 
I am planning to capture a pavement ant queen, but I am considering non-money options. So, i thought of cardboard. Would it be fine if i could construct the various chambers in a cardboard box with more cardboard? I will reinforce the box with aluminum foil and more cardboard so that they cannot get out. If i need to buy a formicarium, i will, but will this potentially work?

Thanks!
 



#2 Offline OiledOlives - Posted May 4 2022 - 5:32 AM

OiledOlives

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 657 posts
  • LocationVirginia

Hi, 
I am planning to capture a pavement ant queen, but I am considering non-money options. So, i thought of cardboard. Would it be fine if i could construct the various chambers in a cardboard box with more cardboard? I will reinforce the box with aluminum foil and more cardboard so that they cannot get out. If i need to buy a formicarium, i will, but will this potentially work?

Thanks!
 

No.


  • Aquaexploder, Manitobant and ColAnt735 like this

#3 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 4 2022 - 6:13 AM

azzaaazzzz00

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 544 posts
  • LocationBogota, NJ

A problem is that the ants will probably chew through the cardboard and escape. Use test tubes for your queen, they're pretty cheap. When the colony grows bigger you could use plaster (or grout) and glass to make a cheap formicarium. You can go to youtube and search up how to make one.


Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#4 Offline Manitobant - Posted May 4 2022 - 6:33 AM

Manitobant

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,898 posts
  • LocationWinnipeg, Canada
If you plan to capture your own queen, you won’t even need a formicarium until your colony reaches around 30 workers. A test tube will hold them until then.
  • Antkeeper01 likes this

#5 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted May 4 2022 - 6:45 AM

Antkeeper01

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,392 posts
  • LocationA random state in the US

Hi, 
I am planning to capture a pavement ant queen, but I am considering non-money options. So, i thought of cardboard. Would it be fine if i could construct the various chambers in a cardboard box with more cardboard? I will reinforce the box with aluminum foil and more cardboard so that they cannot get out. If i need to buy a formicarium, i will, but will this potentially work?

Thanks!
 

I don't think this will work check out ant drews cheaap setup for young colonies

EDIT: I don't have the link hopefully ant drew sees this and posts the link


Edited by Antkeeper01, May 4 2022 - 6:46 AM.

1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube....kUjx-dPFMyVqOLw

 

 Join Our Fledgling Discord Server https://discord.com/...089056687423489


#6 Online ANTdrew - Posted May 4 2022 - 7:14 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,376 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
This is a spectacular disaster waiting to happen. If you try it, please document.
  • Aquaexploder, CheetoLord02, Polyacanthus and 6 others like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline That_one_ant_guy - Posted May 4 2022 - 4:00 PM

That_one_ant_guy

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 477 posts
  • LocationCalifornia
Honestly I kinda wanna see that too

#8 Offline CheetoLord02 - Posted May 4 2022 - 4:59 PM

CheetoLord02

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 781 posts
  • LocationMesa, AZ

Hi, 
I am planning to capture a pavement ant queen, but I am considering non-money options. So, i thought of cardboard. Would it be fine if i could construct the various chambers in a cardboard box with more cardboard? I will reinforce the box with aluminum foil and more cardboard so that they cannot get out. If i need to buy a formicarium, i will, but will this potentially work?

Thanks!
 

Honestly, if you're on an extreme budget, just do tubs & tubes. Kartersci has test tubes available for just a few cents each, and stacking a few in a large bin is a more than adequate setup for a species like this. As antdrew said, your current idea will almost certainly result in disaster. Cardboard will grow mold very easily, and Tetramorium will tear it to shreds, and will likely be able to chew through tin foil as well.


  • Antlover23 likes this





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: cardboard, nest, pavement ants

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users