Are plaster of paris nests ok?

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Antfan
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:44 am
Location: UK

Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 57955Post Antfan
Mon May 06, 2019 6:38 am

Hello, I am wanting to know if I can make plaster of paris for a nest for a friend. I'm making him a nest but don't have hydrostone but I have heard that it molds

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WillWithAnts
Posts: 263
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:22 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 57990Post WillWithAnts
Tue May 07, 2019 12:59 am

I can confirm that it molds. Depending on how much moisture your species prefers, you might be able to add just enough where it isn't a problem.

Antfan
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:44 am
Location: UK

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 57996Post Antfan
Tue May 07, 2019 1:25 am

WillWithAnts wrote:
Tue May 07, 2019 12:59 am
I can confirm that it molds. Depending on how much moisture your species prefers, you might be able to add just enough where it isn't a problem.
Thank you! I didn''t want to kill my friends Ants.

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WillWithAnts
Posts: 263
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:22 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 57998Post WillWithAnts
Tue May 07, 2019 1:29 am

That sounds like a good idea! What are they?

Antfan
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:44 am
Location: UK

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 58090Post Antfan
Thu May 09, 2019 4:29 pm

WillWithAnts wrote:
Tue May 07, 2019 1:29 am
That sounds like a good idea! What are they?
I think its messor barbarus and a Camponotus species

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WillWithAnts
Posts: 263
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:22 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 58093Post WillWithAnts
Thu May 09, 2019 8:25 pm

Campontus spp. are usually pretty dry-tolerant. . . not sure about Messor spp.

Hunter36o
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2018 9:57 am
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 58282Post Hunter36o
Wed May 15, 2019 9:25 am

Messor Barbarus are from hotter areas and tolerate dryer nests as a result so the plaster should be okay and should not mold as quick since it's moisture levels do not need to be too high.
Research is important before during and even after you have established a colony. There is always time to learn and to listen to others experiences. Live by this and your ants will thrive. Fail to do so and your experience may be brief.

Antfan
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:44 am
Location: UK

Re: Are plaster of paris nests ok?

Post: # 58351Post Antfan
Fri May 17, 2019 3:02 pm

Thanks for all your feed back!

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