4 replies to this topic

[smares]

Has anyone used plastic mesh to ventilate there ant nests? I have made a few nests using mesh that came with cut flowers and so far the queens have not been able to damage it (they have been trying). We will see if the workers have better luck. I was wondering if anyone has tried mosquito netting or anything of the sort?  I know metal mesh is pretty standard.

[Shifty189]

living in the mosquito capital of the world i might be able to give a small word of caution. Not all "screen" or "mosquito mesh" is equal. I have witnessed small black "sugar ants" going rite threw some of the larger screens that we have down here that where designed to keep mosquito's out. My advice would be to know your species, and how large (or small) there first workers get, and get a mesh that will keep them in.

 

As far as metal vs plastic, i would think plastic would be better. it won't rust. but i myself use some fabric designed for bug nets for my projects (such as covering the holes in the lid of my outworlds)

Edited by Shifty189, June 19 2018 - 10:32 AM.

[Barristan]

The queens are busy doing other things. The stress test begins when you have have several hundert workers, after that point they will start trying to break out and this will only increase with colony size. I think most ants will be able to chew through plastic mesh. Some ant species with large Major-workers were even able to chew through mess made out of stainless steel after some time (Messor barbarus for example)

[drtrmiller]

The queens are busy doing other things. The stress test begins when you have have several hundert workers, after that point they will start trying to break out and this will only increase with colony size. I think most ants will be able to chew through plastic mesh. Some ant species with large Major-workers were even able to chew through mess made out of stainless steel after some time (Messor barbarus for example)

 

I have used polypropylene (PP) mesh for years, with no issue.  The primary advantage for me is that I can cut it with a laser cutting machine, and it won't rust.

Ants can only chew something they can grab with their mandibles.  A fine enough mesh is impossible for the ants to chew, so long as there is no tear or other surface for the ants to grab and begin chewing and tearing away with their mandibles.

[CoolColJ]

The fine mesh on my acrylic founding nest, to the naked eye it looks like grey "cloth" but at macro view it looks like this.
These Melophorus are fairly small ants

Edited by CoolColJ, June 18 2018 - 2:42 PM.