7 replies to this topic

[NPLT]

So, my colony of Formica rufibarbis has reached the size where the hang out permanently in the outworld, and, the outworld's pretty small. As such, with being such quick ants, they escape, a lot, when I feed them, and last time, three fatalities had occured.

 

I've already ordered a new outworld, but it won't arrive for a bit yet, so, what can I do? I've been thinking about slowing them down in around 15 degrees celcius before feeding, but I'm worried such frequent temperature fluctuations would adversly affect my ants.

[ZTYguy]

Do you use any escape barriers like fluon, baby powder, etc

[ANTdrew]

Make a large hole in their lid and plug it with a cotton ball. Drop food in that hole when needed. Also apply/ reapply fluon. A larger outworld will solve the issue.

[NPLT]

Do you use any escape barriers like fluon, baby powder, etc

No, and i'm not sure ho I'd even apply it now since they hang around the lid all the time.

 

 

Make a large hole in their lid and plug it with a cotton ball. Drop food in that hole when needed. Also apply/ reapply fluon. A larger outworld will solve the issue.

Er, How do I make the hole? I'm sorry if it''s a stupid question, but I don't have any power tools at my disposal.

[ANTdrew]

You could make a starter hole with a hot nail, then twist a scissors blade in it like a drill.
To apply a barrier, plug the outworld entrance hole and aspirate up the remaining workers in the outworld (hopefully it’s not too many). Then apply your barrier.

[NPLT]

You could make a starter hole with a hot nail, then twist a scissors blade in it like a drill.
To apply a barrier, plug the outworld entrance hole and aspirate up the remaining workers in the outworld (hopefully it’s not too many). Then apply your barrier.

I see, I'm afraid both of these are not possible for me to do, as I do not have an aspirator, neither do I possess a lighter to heat a nail with, or would be a able to get permission to heat a nail to begin with, and I think my fluon may have gone bad because I didn't shake it every day. ( on the bottle it says to shake it everyday, and I kind of forgot about it )

Edited by NPLT, June 13 2022 - 8:39 AM.

[ANTdrew]

You actually should never shake fluon. Just gently roll it. You could make the hole entirely with a scissors point it will just take longer. Do you have a drill?

[NPLT]

You actually should never shake fluon. Just gently roll it. You could make the hole entirely with a scissors point it will just take longer. Do you have a drill?

Huh, alright, in any case, I didn't do that either, you think the floun would still be good to use? Also, after wiping it on the plastic, how long should I ventilate the formicarium?

As for a drill, as I said, I do not have power tools.