Open Air Formicarium

Show us your formicariums and ant setup, ask formicarium-related questions, or share your experiences with building an ant home. Here you will also find formicarium requirements for specific ant species.

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FolloweroftheWay
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:07 pm
Location: Mississippi

Open Air Formicarium

Post: # 31691Post FolloweroftheWay
Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:48 pm

I'm looking for anybody who has experience keeping an open air formicarium. In going to try a large plate pulled with dirt, plants and wood for the nest and out world. Under the plate will be another container filled with water to form a 'natural' barrier.

Does this sound like it would work?

I saw a YouTube video with a colony of larger ants from Singapore kept in setup like this. I've been unable to find any other documentation on this.

Thanks.

M.J.
Solenopsis Richteri x 2
Lasius Neoniger x 2
Camponotus spp. x1
Wish List:

Monomorium pharaonis

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idahoantgirl
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:52 am
Location: Idaho, USA

Re: Open Air Formicarium

Post: # 31694Post idahoantgirl
Fri Sep 22, 2017 3:36 pm

FolloweroftheWay wrote:
Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:48 pm
I'm looking for anybody who has experience keeping an open air formicarium. In going to try a large plate pulled with dirt, plants and wood for the nest and out world. Under the plate will be another container filled with water to form a 'natural' barrier.

Does this sound like it would work?

I saw a YouTube video with a colony of larger ants from Singapore kept in setup like this. I've been unable to find any other documentation on this.

Thanks.

M.J.
It technically could work... but many ants can cross over water easily.
Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile

FolloweroftheWay
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:07 pm
Location: Mississippi

Re: Open Air Formicarium

Post: # 31729Post FolloweroftheWay
Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:00 pm

Maybe I'll try a few workers first and a drop of soap in the water. That should definitely prevent crossing, but they may kill themselves. I really hope this will work without damage to the ants.
Solenopsis Richteri x 2
Lasius Neoniger x 2
Camponotus spp. x1
Wish List:

Monomorium pharaonis

AntsOnTheCoast
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2017 4:01 am
Location: Endless void

Re: Open Air Formicarium

Post: # 31935Post AntsOnTheCoast
Sat Sep 30, 2017 6:57 pm

This will work but it'll most likely kill many ants in the process. Ants might also start to form a bridge with dirt or other pieces of wood that you have provided for them.

Honestly, I've never tried one of those so my opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

FolloweroftheWay
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:07 pm
Location: Mississippi

Re: Open Air Formicarium

Post: # 31952Post FolloweroftheWay
Sun Oct 01, 2017 2:35 pm

It'll be a while but if I do it, I'll update the thread with pictures and video.
Solenopsis Richteri x 2
Lasius Neoniger x 2
Camponotus spp. x1
Wish List:

Monomorium pharaonis

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