10 replies to this topic

[Ants Galore]

I'm kind of worried about haveing to stick my hand into the formicarium part of the Tar Heel Ants Mini Hearth. The workers dragged the cricket inside and tore its head off. Will they put the leftovers in the outworld?

[ultraex2]

Unless there's a lot of extra space in the formicarium part that they might use as a garbage they should eventually take it out.

[Ants Galore]

Ok thanks! Will it mold the they won't take it out?

[Serafine]

Yes, they will take it out, it may take a while though.

Unless the nest is very moist it shouldn't mold too much.

[nurbs]

I'm kind of worried about haveing to stick my hand into the formicarium part of the Tar Heel Ants Mini Hearth. The workers dragged the cricket inside and tore its head off. Will they put the leftovers in the outworld?

 

What species is this?

 

I have several different Camponotus in a number of mini hearths. Workers dragging insect parts into the nest should be fine, mold won't set in unless it is very humid and warm.

 

Also, if you have the "nest mate" option, you may not even need to fill the water tower. I've found that it may be too humid with the water tower, and leave just the nest mate with water.

 

Different species have different habits, at least from what I've observed.

 

C. laevigatus:

Very clean. One day they will drag all the insect parts into the nest, munch on them for a few hours, and then completely clean out the nest put all of the insect parts back into the outworld. They will do this a number of times, day in and day out. About 25 workers.

 

C. modoc:

Generally messy, but they do clean up the nest after everything is eaten. About 25 workers.

 

C. sansabeanus:

They like to eat outside of the nest and only drag a few things inside. This may be partly because the colony only has ten workers.

 

C. vicinus, black:

They like the nest very dry. You do not need water in the water tower. They also like to eat in the outworld.

[Antking117]

Also, if you have the "nest mate" option, you may not even need to fill the water tower. I've found that it may be too humid with the water tower, and leave just the nest mate with water.

 

I am a little confused of what you were saying

[nurbs]

 

Also, if you have the "nest mate" option, you may not even need to fill the water tower. I've found that it may be too humid with the water tower, and leave just the nest mate with water.

 

I am a little confused of what you were saying

 

 

Do you own a Tar Heel Mini Hearth? Would make more sense if you did. It does sound confusing if you're not aware of what it comes with.

[Antking117]

 

 

Also, if you have the "nest mate" option, you may not even need to fill the water tower. I've found that it may be too humid with the water tower, and leave just the nest mate with water.

 

I am a little confused of what you were saying

 

 

Do you own a Tar Heel Mini Hearth? Would make more sense if you did. It does sound confusing if you're not aware of what it comes with.

 

I do, do you mean not use the water tower at all and just the nest mate, so they can get water and have a good humidity? the wording just seemed a little weird at the end of the sentence

[nurbs]

 

 

 

Also, if you have the "nest mate" option, you may not even need to fill the water tower. I've found that it may be too humid with the water tower, and leave just the nest mate with water.

 

I am a little confused of what you were saying

 

 

Do you own a Tar Heel Mini Hearth? Would make more sense if you did. It does sound confusing if you're not aware of what it comes with.

 

I do, do you mean not use the water tower at all and just the nest mate, so they can get water and have a good humidity? the wording just seemed a little weird at the end of the sentence

 

 

Yeah, there are two ways to use the nestmate. You can flip it over with no water which makes it like a vent. Flip it around with water and it is a feeder as well as humidifier. 

[Antking117]

ahh, interesting diddn't know that. xD

[Kevin]

While Camponotus can be an exception, I wouldn't use only the "nestmate" to hydrate a colony. I also recommend to saturate the nest itself as some species need that, or at least do better with it IMHO.