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Hetrobob: Messor barbarus Iron oxide poisoning (16. Mai 2010 14:48)

Hi

I am just about to set up a basin for a Messor barbarus colony. I had ordered coloured sand/loam mix from antstore only to later be told that this is no good since it is coloured with Iron oxide, which the ants are intolerant to.
My question is: can I used this coloured sand/loam for the floor of the feeding arena instead or is it best to keep it away from the Messor totally?
I have now ordered plain sand loam mix for the nest so that problem is solved at least.

Thanks for any pointers you can give!
Regards
Hetrobob

Dadave: Re: Messor barbarus Iron oxide poisoning (18. Mai 2010 21:43)

I added a room with red sand/loam mix from antsotre. Then I throw in some dead insects, the next day there were 10 dead ants. So I removed it and since then no dead ants anymore.

So dont buy this shit! Dont use it!

I use Quarzsand and normal loam!

Hetrobob: Re: Messor barbarus Iron oxide poisoning (22. Mai 2010 13:01)

ok thanks for the tip :shock: I have covered the coloured floor with plain sand loam mix and sprayed it with water so hopefully that will avoid any trouble!