16 replies to this topic

[Works4TheGood]

So I have 2 Solenopsis molesta colonies, both of which are in test tube setups.  Today I decided to put their test tubes in tupperware containers that had a thin layer of play-sand at the bottom.  Now, both colonies are busy transporting the sand INTO their test tubes.  Why on earth would they do that?

[drtrmiller]

Soil-dwelling ants have a genetic disposition to tailor their nest with tunnels and chambers of a pre-defined geometry.  

 

Without substrate, the ants adapt to a living space, such as a test tube, as a matter of survival.

 

However, when substrate is available, which can be anything from the sand in your container, to scavenging any and all loose litter within an area, the ants will use the substrate to achieve their genetically-motivated form, to the greatest extent possible.  In your case, it is easy to speculate that the ants would like a smaller nest entrance, and so they may be placing sand around the entrance, similar to how they would have a very small nest entrance in nature.

[antmaniac]

My ants often collect small particles they can find to block off the edge of the chamber. Perhaps they can sense the tiny gaps. They also like to block off the entrance, especially when rain is coming. I guess it is their natural instinct for security and protection.

[Nes187]

I added some sand in a omni nest for my campanotis and they hardly will even walk across it and I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle it would be to remove most of it though,

[prettycode]

I'm new to ant keeping too and have three small colonies that did this as well.

 

Once there were a few workers, I removed the cotton plug on their test tubes and put them in a sand-filled acrylic container so I could feed them easily without stressing them.

 

All three colonies brought sand into the entrance of the test tube soon after they were placed in their setups.

 

Interestingly, there's not enough sand to actually create any sort of barrier--just a small layer a couple cm long and a few mm high. They're also putting trash on it instead of taking it into the outworld so I'm thinking I probably moved them into these setups too early.

 

Edited by prettycode, September 26 2015 - 3:56 PM.

[Works4TheGood]

 

... and put them in a sand-filled acrylic container so I could feed them easily without stressing them.

What are the cotton balls for?  Just curious.

[dspdrew]

Those cotton balls look like they are in the lid. I do the same thing for access and ventilation.

[dspdrew]

The ants love to customize their nests. This Crematogaster colony I used to have used cotton strands and trash to close off their test tube.

 

[prettycode]

Those cotton balls look like they are in the lid. I do the same thing for access and ventilation.

 

Exactly. They're on the lid, in 3/4" holes.

 

I bought 40, 60, and 80 mesh that I planned to use to cover holes, but I've struggled to find an easy (and aesthetically clean) way to adhere the mesh to the acrylic container (over the hole).

 

I've tried using: Krazy Glue (isn't a solvent/doesn't melt plastic into mesh), Oatey PVC Cement, and SCIGRIP 16 for Acrylics as types of glue. None are easily applied with the precision/detail I want. The latter two worked but are sloppy.

 

In the end, I gave up (although I still have Loctite Plastic Bonding System epoxy which I haven't tried) when I realized how much easier cotton would be.

The ants love to customize their nests. This Crematogaster colony I used to have used cotton strands and trash to close off their test tube.

 

 

That's awesome/beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[dspdrew]

 

Those cotton balls look like they are in the lid. I do the same thing for access and ventilation.

 

Exactly. They're on the lid, in 3/4" holes.

 

I bought 40, 60, and 80 mesh that I planned to use to cover holes, but I've struggled to find an easy (and aesthetically clean) way to adhere the mesh to the acrylic container (over the hole).

 

I've actually been doing just that on all of my dirt boxes. I bought 1" circular cutouts of #100 mesh, and a nylon spacer. Using a strip of masking tape, I hold the spacer onto the hole with the mesh sandwiched between it. The spacer and mesh both overhand the hole about 1/16". I then apply acrylic solvent all around it, and then clamp it very tightly using clamps with rubber ends. Once the solvent has evaporated, and the plastic is cured, the mesh is pushed into the plastic in a very clean fashion. The nylon spacer is what confines the solvent to only the 1/16" overhand of mesh. I can show pictures if you want.

[Crystals]

I found my ants are much more likely to pile sand/debris at the end of their open test tube if the air gets drier (possibly to help raise humidity inside the tube).

 

With my northern species, some first and second year colonies tend to plug their nest entrance when they are ready to hibernate.

[William. T]

Adding dirt or sand to test tubes help queens feel more secure and comfortable.

[prettycode]

 

 

Those cotton balls look like they are in the lid. I do the same thing for access and ventilation.

 

Exactly. They're on the lid, in 3/4" holes.

 

I bought 40, 60, and 80 mesh that I planned to use to cover holes, but I've struggled to find an easy (and aesthetically clean) way to adhere the mesh to the acrylic container (over the hole).

 

I've actually been doing just that on all of my dirt boxes. I bought 1" circular cutouts of #100 mesh, and a nylon spacer. Using a strip of masking tape, I hold the spacer onto the hole with the mesh sandwiched between it. The spacer and mesh both overhand the hole about 1/16". I then apply acrylic solvent all around it, and then clamp it very tightly using clamps with rubber ends. Once the solvent has evaporated, and the plastic is cured, the mesh is pushed into the plastic in a very clean fashion. The nylon spacer is what confines the solvent to only the 1/16" overhand of mesh. I can show pictures if you want.

 

 

Hmm, I think my visualization skills need some improving!

 

I'm not understanding where you're applying the solvent/how the nylon spacer confines the solvent.

 

A picture is worth a 1,000 words--that'd be awesome if you didn't mind!

Edited by prettycode, October 4 2015 - 11:30 AM.

[dspdrew]

It wasn't a very thorough description. I'll get some pictures.

[dspdrew]

I just made a post that explains it all.

 

http://www.formicult...ge-4#entry28567

[prettycode]

I just made a post that explains it all.

 

http://www.formicult...ge-4#entry28567

 

You're the man, drew! Seriously--so thankful to have someone like you at the vanguard of the ant community!

[dspdrew]

Haha thanks. No Prob.