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I think maybe that I haven't really been able to convey my plans.. :)
I'd like to make a vertical nest, either out of ytong or cast gipsum/concrete. What I was talking about was the actual chambers. I'd like to make them bigger, ie more floorspace. That they stretches deeper into the concrete/gipsum/ytong. To resemble the examples of natural ant nest that I've seen (pictures above).
I understand your concerns about concrete and I appreciate your input! How about just having glass on one side and leaving the other sides open to aeration? And if I go with Messor sp., I wouldn't have to water the nest as much, right?
If I go with gipsum, can the Messor ants chew through it? I know that they can chew through Ytong.
/Karl
if I go with Messor sp., I wouldn't have to water the nest as much, right?
Yes.
I cant predict what moisture level is necessary to cause the water aggregation effect, that made one of my experimental nests usless.
If I go with gipsum, can the Messor ants chew through it? I know that they can chew through Ytong.
Yes again :D
It depends on the colony size and time of exposure to the ants.
The right mixture of cement, gypsum and water could maybe solve the problem or delay the erosion process of the nest.
I'd like to make them bigger, ie more floorspace. That they stretches deeper into the concrete/gipsum/ytong. To resemble the examples of natural ant nest that I've seen (pictures above).
Ok, i think i did understand this.
Is it simply for design reasons? Or do you expect a benefit for the ants?
greetings
The most nests I've seen has quite "shallow" chambers and seem to do very well in those, so I guess it's more for my own sake that I want to make them bigger.
About aggregation in Messor nests... I've read a few diaries where people don't water their nests at all and leave them very dry (normal room humidity). They seemed to do quite well...
Is it the brood chamber that needs the humidity? So with a tall nest where you water the bottom, the top chambers keeps dry enough for seed storage?
Another question regarding Messor barbarus - the trash basin, is that normally made up of a separate container or do the ants choose one of the chambers inside the nest? If so, how do you normally "take out the trash" when it's full?
Thanks again for all support! :)
/Karl
i never had Messor spec. I cant give you specific advice.
Is it the brood chamber that needs the humidity?
I think so.
So with a tall nest where you water the bottom, the top chambers keeps dry enough for seed storage?
This is possible.
The usage of separate nests can simplify the handling.
Ants try to put the trash at a dry place. They try to heap the trash on few places. It is impossible to predict where they place teyr garbage heaps.
Alls trash thats end up in the arena is easy to remove by hand. Trash in the nest stays there until you exchange the nest.
greetings
Thanks for your help! :)