Rubber in Ant Setups?

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Swirlby
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat May 21, 2022 11:24 pm

Rubber in Ant Setups?

Post: # 92800Post Swirlby
Fri May 27, 2022 4:18 pm

I'm new to antkeeping, and I have a few ideas for setups that I want to ask about. I previously worked at a septic business that made use of ferncos and gaskets with piping, and I was thinking I could use ferncos to link sections of plastic tubing together and use gaskets to create escape-proof ports for inserting test tubes and tubing into a homemade setup.

Fernco: https://library.coburns.com/Images/IMAGE_Fernco_1056-075.jpg?width=&height=&mode=max
Rubber Gaskets: http://www.toilet-fittings.com/photo/pl18500523-corrosion_resistant_toilet_flush_rubber_seal_gasket_with_no_deformation_leakage_free.jpg

Is rubber a good material for ant setups? Does it harm the ants? Will the ants chew through the rubber and escape?

SolenopsisKeeper
Posts: 2402
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
Location: United States, Florida

Re: Rubber in Ant Setups?

Post: # 92805Post SolenopsisKeeper
Fri May 27, 2022 8:06 pm

Swirlby wrote:
Fri May 27, 2022 4:18 pm
I'm new to antkeeping, and I have a few ideas for setups that I want to ask about. I previously worked at a septic business that made use of ferncos and gaskets with piping, and I was thinking I could use ferncos to link sections of plastic tubing together and use gaskets to create escape-proof ports for inserting test tubes and tubing into a homemade setup.

Fernco: https://library.coburns.com/Images/IMAGE_Fernco_1056-075.jpg?width=&height=&mode=max
Rubber Gaskets: http://www.toilet-fittings.com/photo/pl18500523-corrosion_resistant_toilet_flush_rubber_seal_gasket_with_no_deformation_leakage_free.jpg

Is rubber a good material for ant setups? Does it harm the ants? Will the ants chew through the rubber and escape?
Camponotus can chew through silicone so… probably not a great idea for Camponotus species.
When you accidentally reply to yourself…

Swirlby
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat May 21, 2022 11:24 pm

Re: Rubber in Ant Setups?

Post: # 92806Post Swirlby
Fri May 27, 2022 8:37 pm

SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Fri May 27, 2022 8:06 pm
Swirlby wrote:
Fri May 27, 2022 4:18 pm
I'm new to antkeeping, and I have a few ideas for setups that I want to ask about. I previously worked at a septic business that made use of ferncos and gaskets with piping, and I was thinking I could use ferncos to link sections of plastic tubing together and use gaskets to create escape-proof ports for inserting test tubes and tubing into a homemade setup.

Fernco: https://library.coburns.com/Images/IMAGE_Fernco_1056-075.jpg?width=&height=&mode=max
Rubber Gaskets: http://www.toilet-fittings.com/photo/pl18500523-corrosion_resistant_toilet_flush_rubber_seal_gasket_with_no_deformation_leakage_free.jpg

Is rubber a good material for ant setups? Does it harm the ants? Will the ants chew through the rubber and escape?
Camponotus can chew through silicone so… probably not a great idea for Camponotus species.
I have an idea of how to test this. I'll take one of my test tubes, fill it up halfway with sugar water and block it off with cotton. Then, I'll block the entrance with a gasket with a coin or marble in the center, perfectly sealing the tube, and leave the tube right next to a wild black carpenter ant nest.

SolenopsisKeeper
Posts: 2402
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
Location: United States, Florida

Re: Rubber in Ant Setups?

Post: # 92833Post SolenopsisKeeper
Sat May 28, 2022 10:03 am

Swirlby wrote:
Fri May 27, 2022 8:37 pm
SolenopsisKeeper wrote:
Fri May 27, 2022 8:06 pm
Swirlby wrote:
Fri May 27, 2022 4:18 pm
I'm new to antkeeping, and I have a few ideas for setups that I want to ask about. I previously worked at a septic business that made use of ferncos and gaskets with piping, and I was thinking I could use ferncos to link sections of plastic tubing together and use gaskets to create escape-proof ports for inserting test tubes and tubing into a homemade setup.

Fernco: https://library.coburns.com/Images/IMAGE_Fernco_1056-075.jpg?width=&height=&mode=max
Rubber Gaskets: http://www.toilet-fittings.com/photo/pl18500523-corrosion_resistant_toilet_flush_rubber_seal_gasket_with_no_deformation_leakage_free.jpg

Is rubber a good material for ant setups? Does it harm the ants? Will the ants chew through the rubber and escape?
Camponotus can chew through silicone so… probably not a great idea for Camponotus species.
I have an idea of how to test this. I'll take one of my test tubes, fill it up halfway with sugar water and block it off with cotton. Then, I'll block the entrance with a gasket with a coin or marble in the center, perfectly sealing the tube, and leave the tube right next to a wild black carpenter ant nest.
They might not detect sugar water with it perfectly sealed off. Does it help you if I have seen mine begin to chew through tubing?
When you accidentally reply to yourself…

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