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Lawrence: Preparing a formicarium for new Colony (10. Nov 2005 13:01)

I have a glass formicarium that I previously kept a colony of rubra in.

I want to re-use this for a new colony of Lasius flavus.

q. Do I need to steralize the loam? as there a few bits of fungus in some of the chambers.

Regards
Lawrence

uta: (10. Nov 2005 23:41)

Before you give the new colony Lasius flavus in the glass formicarium, you should clean it well. If you liked to use the old loam-/sandmixture, so I would like to recommend to 'sterilize' this in the oven with high temperature.

However, better it would be, if you take sand-/loammixture new.

regards

Cephalothorax: (11. Nov 2005 11:22)

I´m of the same opinion as uta...
It´ll be much better to sterilize it! Just put it into the oven at at least 200°C for at least 15min. Then you can use it again!

Do you keep them in an antfarm or just in an earth nest?
Flavus won´t come out as much as rubra does... ...just keep that in mind!

Lawrence: (11. Nov 2005 12:09)

Thanks for the replies,

I just went to start cleaning the glass and noticed that there are still a few rubra left, so all is not lost.

I may try and revive them and put the Lasius flavus in somthing else.

Regards
Lawrence

Lawrence: New farm from Glazing unit (14. Nov 2005 22:39)

I made a new Enclosure at the weekend from an old double glazing unit.

I took some photos as I went along in case others want to try the same.

1. I used a diamond scribe to score the glass on both sides.
http://www.w4x4mud.co.uk/ants/scribe.jpg

2. Next I flexed the unit on each side until the glass broke.
http://www.w4x4mud.co.uk/ants/break.jpg

3. Then using a diamond knife sharpner I removed the sharp edges from the glass.
http://www.w4x4mud.co.uk/ants/file.jpg
This very important as the glass is very sharp. (Use Gloves)

4. The unit is now ready to fill with soil.
http://www.w4x4mud.co.uk/ants/empty.jpg

5. Fill with loam and sand mix.
http://www.w4x4mud.co.uk/ants/fill.jpg

If you want to fit a tube you can drill a hole in through the side level with the top of the soil.

Regards
Lawrence

Cephalothorax: (16. Nov 2005 21:55)

How big is it?

Seems to be pretty big, though!

I think your Flavus spread as much as they want...

You´ll not need to let them move the next few years...

...but I hope, you´ll give them an arena for feeding and stuff?!?

Greetings from Germany