18 replies to this topic

[Leo]

can charcoal be used as ant substrate?

[drtrmiller]

I don't foresee any bio incompatibilities in terms of harming the ants. They may not prefer to nest in the material, however.

[Leo]

so i can make a little terrarium and attach a testube to it?

[Alabama Anter]

I would not reccomend this because the fumes from the charcoal might be too much.

[drtrmiller]

I would not reccomend this because the fumes from the charcoal might be too much.

Only if it's on fire.

[Alabama Anter]

 

I would not reccomend this because the fumes from the charcoal might be too much.

Only if it's on fire.

 

Mmmm cooked ant Anyways no, it would still smell. Get a piece of charcoal and sniff it. You can smell all the artificial crap.

[Leo]

oh

[drtrmiller]

I would not reccomend this because the fumes from the charcoal might be too much.

Only if it's on fire.

Mmmm cooked ant Anyways no, it would still smell. Get a piece of charcoal and sniff it. You can smell all the artificial crap.

Charcoal briquettes do contain filler and other components to aid ignition. Activated charcoal without additional ingredients, however, is universally used in both fresh- and saltwater aquariums, and is also generally recognized as safe for consumption by humans. On an atomic level, unadulterated charcoal is pure carbon, which is inert and odorless.

It poses no harm to ants. However, as I mentioned, there may be other factors that make the substrate unattractive as a nesting location, beyond the chemical composition and biocompatibility.

[Leo]

i understood 50% of that

[Alabama Anter]

i understood 50% of that

Me too. The rest of it was scientific mubo jumbo (I think Drtmiller is right)

[Leo]

[gcsnelling]

No reason not to give it a try, however I suspect it might interfere with chemical cues used in the nest.

[drtrmiller]

No reason not to give it a try, however I suspect it might interfere with chemical cues used in the nest.

One note on that point: activated charcoal may not affect foraging pheromones. Pheidole dentata, Solenopsis invicta, and Linepithema humile have no difficulty infiltrating and destroying Collembola sp. ("springtails") cultures in which activated charcoal is used as the substrate material.

Edited by drtrmiller, February 12 2017 - 7:08 PM.

[T.C.]

If you set a wood pile on fire and used the charcoal, I bet the ants would be fine. However if you added garbage to that pile and burnt it... I bet there would be a higher chance of chemicals in it which may or may not harm the ants.

[Leo]

sooooooo, it is ok?

[sgheaton]

It'll be very messy. I use it in my fish filters and the granuals that don't make it into the bag will cause "steaks" on surfaces. Wet rag cleans it up so it isn't permanent by any means. 

 

I don't see anyone asking as to WHY you are wanting charcoal? I feel like everyone has access to a brick, which I'd have to believe is better, and cleaner, than charcoal. 

[AntsTexas]

 

I would not reccomend this because the fumes from the charcoal might be too much.

Only if it's on fire.

 

solenopsis invicta!!!  lol

[Kevin]

Yeah I wouldn't use charcoal as a substrate as the ants probably wouldn't prefer it, but you could mix peat moss some activated charcoal to get the black hues you are likely going for.

[Leo]

It'll be very messy. I use it in my fish filters and the granuals that don't make it into the bag will cause "steaks" on surfaces. Wet rag cleans it up so it isn't permanent by any means. 

 

I don't see anyone asking as to WHY you are wanting charcoal? I feel like everyone has access to a brick, which I'd have to believe is better, and cleaner, than charcoal. 

erm, sadly no access, i have a sad life