11 replies to this topic

[Hothkinstroy]

Title basically says it all. I'm a cheapskate and don't want to have to use fluon and it happens i just have olive oil around for cooking and things. Couldn't find answers to this elsewhere so any and all information is appreciated!

[Flu1d]

I haven't had any luck with olive oil at all. It's more like a deterrent than an actual barrier in my experience, and they always eventually just walk over it.

Talcum/baby powder are the way to go, personally. I like to mix talcum powder with alcohol to make a paste and use a paint brush to coat the top inch of the enclosure with it. Once painted, I set it upside down to dry. Upside down prevents the wet mixture from sliding down so it dries where it should stay. Always let the alcohol dry out and evaporate before allowing your ants to come in contact with the enclosure. If you don't have alcohol, I know people who just brush/pour it on there without alcohol.

[Hothkinstroy]

Damn it. I was really hoping it would work. I was told baby powder doesn't work on this species, so I guess over-priced fluon is my only option here. That's a shame.

[Flu1d]

Damn it. I was really hoping it would work. I was told baby powder doesn't work on this species, so I guess over-priced fluon is my only option here. That's a shame.

Weird, I have never heard of any species walking over baby powder, maybe some super tiny species perhaps? Maybe some larger species can step over the barrier? Not sure what is up with that.

[Hothkinstroy]

They aren't super large ants though. Like 5-7mm so idk why. I think a thick enough barrier would still prevent them, but in any case, talcum powder is banned in my country because it caused cancer in like 0.000001% of people. Do you know anybody that sells fluon cheap that lives in the US as to avoid high shipping costs?

[Hothkinstroy]

Nevermind, apparently its still being sold.

[Flu1d]

They aren't super large ants though. Like 5-7mm so idk why. I think a thick enough barrier would still prevent them, but in any case, talcum powder is banned in my country because it caused cancer in like 0.000001% of people. Do you know anybody that sells fluon cheap that lives in the US as to avoid high shipping costs?

I live in Florida and talcum is not illegal here. I use it, and baby powder does the same thing. One isn't better than the other.

It works because an ants weight cannot be supported by loose powder. They will always just fall.

Edit: I bought fluon from TarHeelAnts, however I only use it to coat the outworld lid.. I use talcum powder on the walls of the outworld

Edited by Flu1d, April 2 2023 - 12:48 PM.

[Manitobant]

Yeah olive oil isn’t the best barrier choice. Besides what has been already mentioned here, olive oil tends to result in worker deaths.

[ANTdrew]

What species are you working with?

[Manitobant]

He said myrmicaria brunnea, which is a southeast asian species.

[ANTdrew]

Ah, plot twist.

[Hothkinstroy]

Yeah olive oil isn’t the best barrier choice. Besides what has been already mentioned here, olive oil tends to result in worker deaths.

That too. I find a couple of workers die every now and then when they're trying to cross the border. Sad stuff. Baby powder it is. Thanks for all the responses everybody!