How to Make Your Own Formicarium: AntsCanada Tutorial #30

Summary

In this informative video, Mikey Buos from Ants Canada shares creative ideas for homemade ant farms, suitable for hobbyists and beginners on a budget. He discusses various materials like cork, white Tong (autoclaved aerated concrete), plaster, and even wood, showcasing different designs sent by viewers. Mikey emphasizes the importance of moisture gradients and nest cycling for healthy ant colonies, while also highlighting the benefits of natural nests for mimicking ants' natural behaviors.

Takeaways

• 🐜 Mikey Buos from AntsCanada is discussing homemade ant farms as an alternative to purchasing pre-built formicaria.
• 🌐 Many viewers, especially young ones, are catching ants during the nuptial flight season and starting to get into the hobby.
• 📚 Mikey appreciates the feedback from viewers whose tutorials have helped them and feels encouraged to create more content.
• 🏡 The video covers various DIY ant farm ideas, including cork nests, white Tong blocks, and plaster nests, highlighting their benefits and considerations.
• 🔩 Cork nests are suggested for carpenter ants due to their wood-loving nature and the need for drier nests, with a caution about potential rot and mold.
• 💧 White Tong blocks, made from autoclaved aerated concrete, are praised for their water retention properties and ease of tunnel drilling.
• 🌱 Plaster nests are noted for their water absorption and long history of use in ant keeping, but caution is advised due to potential mold issues.
• 🏺 The video showcases creative designs like attaching white Tong nests inside aquariums and using cement to create formicaria with water ducts.
• 🌳 Natural nests are presented as an option, allowing ants to behave naturally and manage their waste, with the added benefit of being an attractive display piece.
• 🌐 The video mentions the availability of formicaria on AntsCanada's website, including the flagship Omni nests, which are fully disassemblable and designed for practical ant keeping.
• 👍 Mikey encourages viewers to experiment with different designs and learn from others' experiences in ant keeping.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker in the video script is Mikey Buos from AntsCanada.

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about creating homemade ant farms or formicaria for ant keeping as an alternative to purchasing pre-built nests.

Why might young viewers be interested in the video?

Young viewers might be interested because the script mentions that many of the viewers are young, even as young as 12, who are getting into the hobby of ant keeping and may not be able to afford purchased nests.

What is a 'formicarium'?

A formicarium is a type of ant farm or artificial nest for keeping ants, which can be homemade or purchased.

What material is mentioned for creating a homemade formicarium that is water retentive?

White Tong, also known as autoclaved aerated concrete, is mentioned for its water retentive properties and ease of drilling tunnels.

What are the concerns with using a cork-based nest for ants?

The concerns with using a cork-based nest include the possibility of it rotting and potentially developing mold if not properly maintained.

What kind of ants does Mikey suggest keeping in a cork-based nest?

Mikey suggests keeping kongus, which are a type of carpenter ant, in a cork-based nest due to their preference for drier nests.

What is a 'natural nest' as described in the video?

A 'natural nest' is a setup where ants are given a digging medium like cork bark and allowed to behave as they would in nature, including creating their own chambers and waste disposal systems.

What is the 'Omn Nest' mentioned in the video?

The 'Omn Nest' is a flagship formicarium product from AntsCanada that is fully disassemblable, cleanable, and allows for full visibility of the ants' activities.

What advice does Mikey give for beginners interested in creating their own formicaria?

Mikey advises beginners to review the video for ideas, choose a design that suits their tastes and their ants' needs, and to experiment and learn from others' experiences.

What is the website viewers are directed to for purchasing formicaria?

Viewers are directed to antscanada.com for purchasing formicaria from AntsCanada.