34 replies to this topic

[LowQualityAnts]

There are some guides on formiculture.

Just looked at the antscanada website and the antowers look cool.

Edited by LowQualityAnts, December 15 2022 - 8:32 AM.

[antsriondel]

 I strive to make high quality nests at economical prices.

I agree with this.

Edited by antsriondel, December 15 2022 - 11:29 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Please keep the thread on topic.

[antsriondel]

                Deleted. 

Edited by antsriondel, December 16 2022 - 4:36 PM.

[ANTS_KL]

My 9yo so is *so* into ants and desperately wants to get some. He doesn't want the standard Amazon/walmart ant farm, be wants a *real* farm that he starts from the beginning. I tried to push him off since interests change so quickly at this age, but we are going on close to two years of him wanting this. I have to accept that it's a real interest.

I'm not into ants, but am willing to learn. The problem is that I'm overwhelmed and would love to have someone local-ish (maybe 4 hours or less?) that he can go and see their set up and ask questions of and turn to for help.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Hello and welcome to the forum! I may be a day or two late, but I'm going to make a post anyway, so I hope you see this. I had a strong interest in ants when I was around your son's age too. It's been 3-4 years since that interest started, so it hasn't even been that long. When I started out, due to me being located in Malaysia, which is a tropical country, I was able to find queen ants every night. I housed them in a small container with one tiny hole poked on top of the lid and a piece of damp toilet paper on the bottom for humidity. Though this housing would not be as good as a test tube setup, it certainly works if you're on an extremely low budget. If you want to check out videos on YouTube, I highly recommend the tutorials made by Jordan Dean (formerly Ants Australia). They should be in a playlist somewhere on his channel, hope you can find it. 

[Serafine]

My 9yo so is *so* into ants and desperately wants to get some. He doesn't want the standard Amazon/walmart ant farm, be wants a *real* farm that he starts from the beginning. I tried to push him off since interests change so quickly at this age, but we are going on close to two years of him wanting this. I have to accept that it's a real interest.

I'm not into ants, but am willing to learn. The problem is that I'm overwhelmed and would love to have someone local-ish (maybe 4 hours or less?) that he can go and see their set up and ask questions of and turn to for help.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

For the start: YOU DO NOT NEED A FULL NEST TO START.

 

Test tubes with water tank setup are MUCH better for a starting colony. You don't need to bother with giving them water and humidity (which is a crucial thing for ant brood) will always be fine.
Only give your ants a nest once they have like 100-500 workers (essentially when they don't fit the tube anymore). Putting ants in a big nest too early is one of the most common newbie mistakes.

 

Here's some videos that might help you.

 

 

 

[Serafine]

Overpriced and dangerous for ants that use formic acid. My Camponotus like the testube portals though

What? No, they aren't. Price is debatable but the hybrids are objectively good nests for most ant species (and that's coming from someone who doesn't like AC at all).

He's not trying to keep Formica rufa wood ants in there.
 

My Simants nests are basically a better version of the AC hybrids and there's zero issues with my Camponotus.

Edited by Serafine, December 17 2022 - 2:51 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Yes, the nest prices are fine, and they can easily be modified to be ideal nests by pouring a layer of hydrostone or similarly absorbent material in the bottom of the chambers. It’s the semi-opaque outworlds that are grossly over-priced.

[LowQualityAnts]

Yes, the nest prices are fine, and they can easily be modified to be ideal nests by pouring a layer of hydrostone or similarly absorbent material in the bottom of the chambers. It’s the semi-opaque outworlds that are grossly over-priced.

My mistake, the last time i looked at ac was a while ago. Sorry for the misinformation.

[NicholasP]

 

I create ant nests at my website coldbloodedcreaturae.com. I strive to make high quality nests at economical prices.

Does the website have a tutorial on how to make ant nest?

 

Not at the moment because then people could just make them on their own. I will make a video though on how to make the wooden nests that Miles Maxcer made on his channel once I recover yet again from sickness, but I'd show how to do it with a hand saw.

Edited by NicholasP, December 17 2022 - 8:56 AM.

[Ant-nig321]

I create ant nests at my website coldbloodedcreaturae.com. I strive to make high quality nests at economical prices.

Does the website have a tutorial on how to make ant nest?

Not at the moment because then people could just make them on their own. I will make a video though on how to make the wooden nests that Miles Maxcer made on his channel once I recover yet again from sickness, but I'd show how to do it with a hand saw.

Wow,that would be great!

[AntsCali098]

I guess I'm just going to have to start watching videos - I know so little that I don't know what I don't know.

Jordan dean/aus ants made a great tutorial a while back (serafine posted it), I'd recommend it (on YouTube).

Edited by AntsCali098, December 24 2022 - 10:23 PM.

[Saltypickles22]

Everyone has been super helpful! Thank you! We will watch the videos together and get started soon.

[Saltypickles22]

For the start: YOU DO NOT NEED A FULL NEST TO START.

Test tubes with water tank setup are MUCH better for a starting colony. You don't need to bother with giving them water and humidity (which is a crucial thing for ant brood) will always be fine.
Only give your ants a nest once they have like 100-500 workers (essentially when they don't fit the tube anymore). Putting ants in a big nest too early is one of the most common newbie [/quote]

This is very helpful. The videos, too. Thank you!

Edited by Saltypickles22, March 9 2023 - 5:47 PM.

[antperson24]

My 9yo so is *so* into ants and desperately wants to get some. He doesn't want the standard Amazon/walmart ant farm, be wants a *real* farm that he starts from the beginning. I tried to push him off since interests change so quickly at this age, but we are going on close to two years of him wanting this. I have to accept that it's a real interest.

I'm not into ants, but am willing to learn. The problem is that I'm overwhelmed and would love to have someone local-ish (maybe 4 hours or less?) that he can go and see their set up and ask questions of and turn to for help.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Well, I am not in your area, but I can send you the any pictures you need. I would be glad to help out with any questions to the best of my ability. Oh, also forgot to mention, store bought formicaria (ant nests) can be a bit pricy, but I have a fair amount of experience making my own formicaria, so if you would like help making one, I can help. 

Edited by antperson24, March 10 2023 - 5:14 AM.