The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

Hi guys and gals,

Just an engineering question about the minimum diameter of passages required for ants to go through. I'm designing a part for formicariums and outworlds and my design has a hole for ants to traverse that is 6 mm diameter (a poofteenth away from 1/4 inch). Would this be wide enough for.... say.... a large Camponotus ant? If not, what would the recommended diameter of the hole so I can scale it up to this? The ants only have to pass through for about 3 mm and I do not imagine queens to spend any length of time anywhere near this. I could potentially go as far as 10 mm (3/8 inch) but am reluctant to go any larger because of other design issues.

Thanks

6mm is fine for a Camponotus major, but the queen will probably have a lot of difficulty turning around.

Thanks mate. That is very useful

For e.g. Camp. Ligniperda is 5mm fine, but we are talking about hole. If it is longer tube I would recommend at least 6mm as Batspiderfish said:)
good luck

Yep. Just a hole, not a tunnel. Thanks Marty!