8 replies to this topic

[Scoob]

So, I have a carpenter ant colony that is about to get its first workers and i really would like to set them up in a Ants Aus outworld. However, I wanted to know if they would dig in soil or if I would need to put in a big piece of wood for them

[ZllGGY]

they should definitely be able to dig and nest in dirt

[Scoob]

they should definitely be able to dig and nest in dirt

thanks so much!

[Major]

Ants from the genera Camponotus tend to create and establish their colonies in rotten wood. Though, I have seen Camponotus Novaeboracensis living in soil, it's just not very common and nit their preferred habitat. They would choose wood over soil any day. Just make sure to bake (sterilize) anything you bring from outside to use for their nest!

They are most definitely capable of digging in soil, just it wouldn't be a nest very suited to their specific needs. I would go with a chunk of wood that has plenty of holes in it, sterilize it, and then give it a go! If the don't seem interested, just keep on experimenting with various different habitats and humidity levels.

[Scoob]

Ants from the genera Camponotus tend to create and establish their colonies in rotten wood. Though, I have seen Camponotus Novaeboracensis living in soil, it's just not very common and nit their preferred habitat. They would choose wood over soil any day. Just make sure to bake (sterilize) anything you bring from outside to use for their nest!

They are most definitely capable of digging in soil, just it wouldn't be a nest very suited to their specific needs. I would go with a chunk of wood that has plenty of holes in it, sterilize it, and then give it a go! If the don't seem interested, just keep on experimenting with various different habitats and humidity levels.

I will try to find something for them, the reason i asked was because I haven't found any pieces of wood that would fit in the enclosure while being suitable for making nests, but I am still trying to find something 

[ZllGGY]

 

Ants from the genera Camponotus tend to create and establish their colonies in rotten wood. Though, I have seen Camponotus Novaeboracensis living in soil, it's just not very common and nit their preferred habitat. They would choose wood over soil any day. Just make sure to bake (sterilize) anything you bring from outside to use for their nest!

They are most definitely capable of digging in soil, just it wouldn't be a nest very suited to their specific needs. I would go with a chunk of wood that has plenty of holes in it, sterilize it, and then give it a go! If the don't seem interested, just keep on experimenting with various different habitats and humidity levels.

I will try to find something for them, the reason i asked was because I haven't found any pieces of wood that would fit in the enclosure while being suitable for making nests, but I am still trying to find something 

 

Try buying some cork bark pieces and putting them together

[Ikerrilove]

I've seen Camponotus novaeboracensis nest in old rail road ties around a garden in our yard. The wood is almost buried at this point,  it has been in the ground being watered over and over for a few decades now. They seemed to be living in both the wood and the soil around it. Maybe try a bit of both? My Dad's a messy gardener who seems addicted to tomato bushes and lettuce but the only plant they mess with is the old rhubarb no one bothers to do anything with growing in the corner.

 

What about finding something that's soft and rotten enough you can break it into many smaller pieces? Layer pieces of that over some soil so they have lots of shaded, hidden spots plus the dirt to play with. Would give them extra space to wander around also.

 

I'm just not sure how dry the soil should be. My dad really likes to water back there but I haven't heard of them liking high humidity. 

[sirjordanncurtis]

I believe that Camponotus pennsylvanicus are arboreal ants, so that piece of wood would still be ideal.

[CampoKing]

I want to add my own suggestion: i like using coconut fiber for Carpenters. It provides the stable humidity they need without being a high mold risk. The only downside is it doesn't hold shape well, so coconut fiber is better as a floor substrate where the eggs/larvae can stay hydrated. They "could" build tunnels and galleries in coconut fiber, but they can collapse if the habitat is moved. You can buy the stuff at pet stores.
Here's a photo of one of my claustral queens doing just fine with coconut fiber:

Edited by CampoKing, August 25 2018 - 8:26 PM.