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Hot glue gun safe for ants?

Started By ANTdrew , Aug 22 2018 10:54 AM

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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 22 2018 - 10:54 AM

ANTdrew

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Hi!

 I was wondering if using a hot glue gun was safe for gluing things used for ant keeping? I'm thinking of making liquid feeders by gluing mesh to small containers.

 

             Thanks!


"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#2 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted August 22 2018 - 2:50 PM

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Ya, it's totally safe. The only problem is that it doesn't stick well to smooth surfaces, and will definitely come off with any slight amount of moisture.


I accidentally froze all my ants 

#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 23 2018 - 6:20 AM

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Thanks! How about superglue?


"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline AntPhycho - Posted August 23 2018 - 5:05 PM

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Haha, I just did this actually. The hot glue is fairly water tight and I often just set the feeder on a paper towel to capture the little liquid that does escape. For the most part hot glue is a great alternative to having to buy anything such as  "aquarium grade silicon". #PoorPeopleAntHacks

(Been using for about a week, no real leaks yet.)


Edited by AntPhycho, August 23 2018 - 8:18 PM.

Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

#5 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 24 2018 - 3:53 AM

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Good to hear! I wonder if sanding the acrylic I'm hot gluing to would help it grip a bit better?


"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#6 Offline AntPhycho - Posted August 25 2018 - 9:59 AM

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Good to hear! I wonder if sanding the acrylic I'm hot gluing to would help it grip a bit better?

Yeah that sounds like it should work a lot better.


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

#7 Offline DaveJay - Posted August 25 2018 - 5:50 PM

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Superglue is safe once cured, but it doesn't stick all plastics. "Aquarium" silicone is a rip off, 100% silicone is 100% silicone, the only types to avoid are those with additives to prevent mould etc.
That said, even if it's under $5 a tube I hate wasting it, often by the time I need it again all I have is a cylinder of rubber and I have to buy more.
I think superglue would be the best bet for a feeder, but for gluing mesh I've used clear fabric glue, it has similar properties to hot glue but is clearer and dries a bit harder. It's supposed to be waterproof and certainly can take being washed and soaked in hot water but I'm not sure if it's safe in a drinking supply, I think it would be once fully cured. Like hot glue it can be removed by force, but it grips a lot stronger than hot glue.
Recently I've used Bostick Clear, that sets very hard and I don't think I could remove it by force but once again no idea about using it in a water supply.
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