ANTSTORE World of Ants

[martyncarr]

Hello Antshop and friends,

I would like to set up a colony of Leaf cutters. I have an unused greenhouse with humidity control that I can use.

My plan is to dig 2 moated pits in the floor of the greenhouse. 1 for the brood and 1 for the fungus. These would have a cover for shade from the sun.

I would then have a stick to a platform for the food.

What should the 2 pits be filled with and how big should they be?

I am worried the ants will not survive a very hot day. What is the maximum temperature that they can cope with?

Does the supplied colony come with starter fungus?

I have a very large oak tree next to the green house. Would it be possible to let a mature colony feed from this tree or would they get eaten by Birds, Cats or other animals. Or maybe this would be illigal?

When are you likely to get stock of these ants?

Thanks

Martyn Carr

[JNet]

First of all you wouldn't need to dig pits for the ants, they'll dig a nest for themselves.

It wouldn't be possible to have the ants in the tree as they live in the ground and would die in the winter depending on climate.

You would also have to make sure the greenhouse is escape-proof which will cost a lot of money.

It may be illegal to have a non-native ant species living outside. Where do you live?