How would you hydrate log formicarium?

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idahoantgirl
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How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32234Post idahoantgirl
Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:33 pm

Ok, So I would consider myself an intermediate ant keeper (I've been keeping ants for 2 years) and I'm thinking about making my hobby look prettier. I have a lasius hybrid nest housing a colony of tetramorium which I think is very beautiful in its own way, but lately I have been really drawn to the idea of a wooden formicarium, specifically a log one. I found a few designs i really like, but I have no idea how they are hydrated.

http://antclub.org/node/3171 (all in russian, but some really nice photos of the nest)

http://antclub.org/node/3171 (scroll down a bit to see the photo)

Also if anyone has ideas on how to sterilize the log or even if I need to sterilize the log.

Thnx!
Idahoantgirl
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

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idahoantgirl
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Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32266Post idahoantgirl
Wed Oct 11, 2017 10:08 am

bump
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

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Batspiderfish
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Location: Maine

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32285Post Batspiderfish
Thu Oct 12, 2017 7:56 am

you can't really hydrate wood formicariums directly without them swelling.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

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idahoantgirl
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Location: Idaho, USA

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32288Post idahoantgirl
Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:02 am

oh... so its not possible?
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

AntsSA
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Location: South africa
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Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32296Post AntsSA
Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:12 am

I keep my lepisiota colony in a log nest I haven't had swelling problems. Just use a very hard wood. To hydrate it just drill a 1 cm wide hole into the log then use a pipet or syringe to hydrate it.
Keeping.
lepisiota capensis colony
Cardiocondyla sp.
Founding
Messor. Sp. X 4
Myrmicine Sp. X 2
atopomyrmex Sp. X 2
Ants SA
:lol: :lol:
YouTube :
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC404jNiUH33dFnxqSZajoPg

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

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32300Post idahoantgirl
Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:59 am

AntsSA wrote:
Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:12 am
I keep my lepisiota colony in a log nest I haven't had swelling problems. Just use a very hard wood. To hydrate it just drill a 1 cm wide hole into the log then use a pipet or syringe to hydrate it.
do you drill the hole into one of the chambers?
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

Will230145
Posts: 133
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:06 am
Location: Grove City PA, US

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32314Post Will230145
Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:37 pm

No, I’m the wood part NOT in the chambers otherwise the ants could escape
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pensilvanicus
Founding: Lasius Neoniger
Lasius Claviger
Formica subsericea

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

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32315Post idahoantgirl
Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:43 pm

:arrow:
Will230145 wrote:
Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:37 pm
No, I’m the wood part NOT in the chambers otherwise the ants could escape
So the hole would be horizontally alongside the chambers but not in? Or vertically.
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

Will230145
Posts: 133
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:06 am
Location: Grove City PA, US

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32316Post Will230145
Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:41 pm

You would leave a chunk of wood like a circle piece in a big chamber and drill a hole on the top of it and you can hydrate from there, you can also put a small sponge in the hole to keep moisture.
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pensilvanicus
Founding: Lasius Neoniger
Lasius Claviger
Formica subsericea

AntsSA
Posts: 218
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:08 am
Location: South africa
Contact:

Re: How would you hydrate log formicarium?

Post: # 32373Post AntsSA
Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:49 am

I have the hydration hole next to one chamber. I can post a picture later of you like
Keeping.
lepisiota capensis colony
Cardiocondyla sp.
Founding
Messor. Sp. X 4
Myrmicine Sp. X 2
atopomyrmex Sp. X 2
Ants SA
:lol: :lol:
YouTube :
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC404jNiUH33dFnxqSZajoPg

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