Regarding Dirt Formicarium

[Tallant]

Hi guys, my colony is starting to get big and I can't buy a formicarium because I am underage. Is it safe to put my ants in tub of dirt?

[Good2Know15]

Hi guys, my colony is starting to get big and I can't buy a formicarium because I am underage. Is it safe to put my ants in tub of dirt?

Hi there!
It is safe to put your ants inside a tank of dirt, but you have to consider some important notes:
1. You wouldn't be able to observe your queen and brood.
2. You could put a smaller box inside a bigger box, so there is like 5 cm whidth of space for your ants to dig in and you will have a better chance to see your ants dig chambers.
3. Always make sure that you have some sort of an escape proof barrier, like babypowder around the edge of your tub or a lid with a mesh for ventilation.
4. Make an additional hole for further extension when your colony outgrows your dirt setup.
5. Make sure that the ground is always somewhat moist, so your ants don't dry out.

6. You can ask your parents permission to buy a small, cheap formicarium. Why can't you

- You could also try to build a formicarium yourself from cheap materials like plaster or ytong. It's highly water absorbent and easy to carve tunnels in. You can search up video's on YouTube about "How to make a formicarium" or "Formicarium diy". It is always a cheaper option than buying a 'professional' formicarium

- What is always a good way to observe your ants is to put them in a 'tubs and tubes setup'. It is basically an escape proof outworld with many water test tubes inside it. When your colony outgrows the old test tube, just put another one inside so they can move to that other one. You can keep this setup empty (with only test tubes) or put some sand and decorations in it. This type of setup works great for me

Hope this helps you and if you have any more questions, then just ask me. Good luck!
- Ants Netherlands (good2know15)

[Tallant]

Hi guys, my colony is starting to get big and I can't buy a formicarium because I am underage. Is it safe to put my ants in tub of dirt?

Hi there!
It is safe to put your ants inside a tank of dirt, but you have to consider some important notes:
1. You wouldn't be able to observe your queen and brood.
2. You could put a smaller box inside a bigger box, so there is like 5 cm whidth of space for your ants to dig in and you will have a better chance to see your ants dig chambers.
3. Always make sure that you have some sort of an escape proof barrier, like babypowder around the edge of your tub or a lid with a mesh for ventilation.
4. Make an additional hole for further extension when your colony outgrows your dirt setup.
5. Make sure that the ground is always somewhat moist, so your ants don't dry out.

6. You can ask your parents permission to buy a small, cheap formicarium. Why can't you

- You could also try to build a formicarium yourself from cheap materials like plaster or ytong. It's highly water absorbent and easy to carve tunnels in. You can search up video's on YouTube about "How to make a formicarium" or "Formicarium diy". It is always a cheaper option than buying a 'professional' formicarium

- What is always a good way to observe your ants is to put them in a 'tubs and tubes setup'. It is basically an escape proof outworld with many water test tubes inside it. When your colony outgrows the old test tube, just put another one inside so they can move to that other one. You can keep this setup empty (with only test tubes) or put some sand and decorations in it. This type of setup works great for me

Hope this helps you and if you have any more questions, then just ask me. Good luck!
- Ants Netherlands (good2know15)

Thank you! The reason I can't get a formicarium is because my parents aren't too fond of my hobbies. For the homemade outworlds, I was considering using my father's concrete and some modified ziplock bags. I haven't done it yet is because I had no time.

P.S. The box inside another box was genius. I could've never thought of something like that.