10 replies to this topic

[FelixTheAnter]

I just built a sandwich style nest to fill with sand, similar to this:


I've read you should mix clay with the sand, so tunnels don't collapse. But I cannot figure out where you guys find the right kind of clay?! The local hardware stores have no clay. Online when I search for clay I only find modeling clay or those expanded clay balls for growing plants in. Where do you get clay? What kind of clay?
Located in Europe, don't have access to American stores

Edited by FelixTheAnter, June 2 2023 - 10:30 AM.

[Ernteameise]

You can buy the sand/ clay mixtures from Anthouse (where you got the picture from) as well as Antstore.

I know it is more expensive, but both companies have a certain mix of clay and sand which they say helps to keep the tunnels stable.

I personally would not use pure sand, because I heard that this is a deathtrap for ants.

[FelixTheAnter]

Is clay the only option to mix with the sand? I thought I'd seen someone saying you can do sand/perlite (which I have on hand), but maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[Ernteameise]

I have never heard of that....

but then I am a newbie and still learning.

[ANTdrew]

I am (un)fortunate enough to have straight, hard brick-making clay in my backyard.

[FelixTheAnter]

I am (un)fortunate enough to have straight, hard brick-making clay in my backyard.

I live in the Netherlands which is basically straight sand. You dig down 6 inches anywhere and you hit pure sand. Not even any natural rocks here, just sand and seashells :')

[rptraut]

Hello FelixTheAnter;

 

The reason for adding clay to sand is to stick the sand particles together.  Perlite isn't sticky, so I suspect it will collapse just as readily as sand.  As ANTdrew mentioned, you may have clay or clay loam soil in your area that you can mix with the sand.  I would dry the clay as much as possible, break it up as much as possible, (almost to powder) and then mix it with the sand.  Put it in the formicarium when dry, then wet it and the clay should help stick the sand together.  (I was writing this as you posted the information about your sandy soil.  It's unfortunate that you can't easily access clay loam soil, but maybe this information will help someone else with a similar problem.)  

 

Once I accidently used the sand that is sold to put between the cracks of paving stone to make a formicarium.  It has an added adhesive that sticks the sand particles together when it is wetted and then dried.  I was worried that the ants wouldn't be able to dig through it, but I was pleased to see that they were able make tunnels and chambers with no problem.  The adhesive isn't that strong, but the remaining sand seems to hold together well enough that there have been no collapse problems.   Unfortunately, this sand is usually sold in fairly large bags, but any landscaping contractor will have smaller amounts.

RPT

[FelixTheAnter]

Makes sense regarding clay vs perlite. I was looking into buying it from an ant store as mentioned above, but it's hard to justify spending €6 + shipping on 1kg of substrate.

This site sells "porcelain powder" clay, is that a suitable type?

https://www.keramiko...roodb-5-kg.html

I'd like to be able to buy a bag of clay so I can make my own substrate whenever I want... would be a fraction of the price

[ANTdrew]

Look up bentonite clay.

[rptraut]

I suspect the porcelain clay is a very fine form used to make pottery. It is sticky like all clay, but very white. It’s like the dry powdered clay I mentioned in my previous post. The challenge will be to mix in enough with the sand to stick the particles together and not so much that it will turn hard like concrete when dry, which is another trait of clay. Clay will also stick to the glass and may obscure your view. This approach may not give you what you are looking for.

I think the risk of pure sand collapsing in a sandwich style formicarium can be reduced by making sure the sand is as stable as possible. Put the sand in moist, almost wet. Make sure the sand is well packed, in layers. Wetting the sand and tapping the sides helps settle the sand. The more locked together the sand particles are, the more stable it will be. Put some solid pieces of stick, straw, wood chips or something to act as a roof or floor for the ants to dig under as you fill the layers. This will further reduce the risk of collapse. Lastly, minimize any shaking, jarring or disturbance that might destabilize the sand. Ants seem to be able to make chambers that aren’t prone to collapse. Good luck with yours!
RPT

[ANTdrew]

Another simple solution is to lay the sandwich formicarium flat.