10 replies to this topic

[iXvXi]

I was wondering if anyone has a few types of glues that are safe for ants (when dried)

I know elmer's glue is one of them but the cure time is terrible, and I need something with some strength.

Without giving too much information on what I'll be working on (don't want to spoil what I have in the works just yet)

I'm going to need to glue hundred or so pieces of hydrostone.

It's going to be a formicarium that probably hasn't been seen before. It's a long term build that I'll be writing and taking pictures of so I can make a build thread when it's complete. It's going to cost a small fortune and tons of hours unfortunately, so I'm trying to plan so no mistakes happen and I lose everything.

What's a formicarium if ants die in it?

Thanks

Edited by iXvXi, December 17 2015 - 7:45 PM.

[iXvXi]

Also, I'd be appreciative if you know of any safe paints.

[Mdrogun]

I'm pretty sure pete moss is safe. I have no experince with glue however

[iXvXi]

I'm pretty sure pete moss is safe. I have no experince with glue however

Thanks, I do plan to use peat moss but only a small amount. It would be used as more of a texture than a color change of the hydrostone.

[dspdrew]

Hot-melt glue is perfectly safe. Also, once cured, any epoxy is safe as well.

[iXvXi]

Hot-melt glue is perfectly safe. Also, once cured, any epoxy is safe as well.

Thanks!!!! Exactly what I needed. I'll be using epoxy for this project. It will have ample time to cure, considering it's going to be very time consuming. Or so I think lol

[Crystals]

To add to drew's statement, anything that is safe in a marine aquarium is safe for ants.  And there are many more tutorials out there on how to build things for an marine aquarium (or safe glues) than there are for ants.

 

Certain spray paints are safe, keeping in mind they may prevent proper humidity in tunnels if the tunnels themselves are painted.  There are many natural types of dyes (like the black that comes from boiling walnut shells, or various colors from tea).

[john.harrold]

I've used super glue without any problem. 

[iXvXi]

To add to drew's statement, anything that is safe in a marine aquarium is safe for ants. And there are many more tutorials out there on how to build things for an marine aquarium (or safe glues) than there are for ants.

Certain spray paints are safe, keeping in mind they may prevent proper humidity in tunnels if the tunnels themselves are painted. There are many natural types of dyes (like the black that comes from boiling walnut shells, or various colors from tea).

Awesome! It definitely helps to be able to apply other research to ants. Maybe I'll try a natural dye, that sounds the least risky.

[iXvXi]

I've used super glue without any problem.

Super glue tents to flake, I'd be weary of ants carrying small pieces of it around. Especially due to the mass amount of pieces I need to glue together. Although it would make life easier.

[Crystals]

I use aquarium silicone a lot.  Even 100% silicone with no additives works, but the aquarium silicone works better if your nest gets stored for a long time.

 

Take about 48 hours or so to cure, but it has no issues with water or humidity.