Managing Your Ant Colony - AntsCanada Ant Tutorial #28 feat. Omni Nest Xtra Large

Summary

In this informative video, Mikey Bustos, aka Aunts Canada, introduces a new extra-large Omni nest designed for large ant colonies, such as Camponotus ants. He demonstrates how to manage an ant colony by setting up the new nest, ensuring proper feeding, and maintaining the ants' living space. The video also covers strategies for preventing escapes, using Insecta Slip to contain ants, and the importance of monitoring and adapting the colony's environment for optimal growth and health.

Takeaways

• 🐜 Mikey Bustos introduces a new product: the extra-large Omni nest, designed for large ant colonies like Camponotus ants.
• 🔍 The extra-large Omni nest is significantly larger than the standard large Omni nest, offering more space for ants to live and expand their colony.
• 🏡 Ant keepers need to manage their ants' living space, ensuring proper feeding, nourishment, and control over escapes.
• 👋 Gloves are recommended when handling aggressive ant species to prevent stings and ensure safety during colony management.
• 🌳 Two paintbrushes can be useful for gently scooping up escaped ants and transferring them back to their colony.
• 🔧 Insecticide, specifically Insecta Slip, can be used to prevent ants from escaping by creating a barrier that is hard for them to cross.
• 🌡️ Ants prefer dark, enclosed, and moist areas for nesting. Providing a suitable nest space and managing the outer world (out world) is crucial for their well-being.
• 🍽️ Feed ants in their out world to discourage them from nesting there and to maintain a clear distinction between nest and foraging areas.
• 🌬️ Creating a slight breeze in the out world with an air pump can deter ants from nesting there, as they dislike wind.
• 🔥 Adding heat to the out world can also discourage ants from nesting there, as they prefer cooler areas for their nest.
• 🏆 Aunts Canada is hosting a contest with prizes including free Omni nests and ant keeping handbooks to celebrate reaching 5,000 subscribers.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video and what is their role?

The speaker is Mikey Bustos, also known as Aunts Canada, who is presenting a tutorial on managing ant colonies and introducing a new product for ant keeping.

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is managing ant colonies, including how to plan and set up their living spaces, and the introduction of an extra-large ant nest product.

What is the new product being introduced in the video?

The new product being introduced is an extra-large Omni nest, designed for large ant colonies such as Camponotus ants or harvester ants.

How does the size of the extra-large Omni nest compare to the large Omni nest?

The extra-large Omni nest is significantly larger than the large Omni nest, holding about three times as much space and resembling the size of a laptop.

What is the purpose of the 'Outworld' in an ant colony setup?

The 'Outworld' is a part of the ant colony setup where the ants forage, dispose of refuse, and where dead ants are placed. It is separate from the nest where the queen and young reside.

Why should the ants' Outworld be kept as bare and simple as possible?

Keeping the Outworld bare and simple helps the ants to favor the formicarium for nesting, preventing them from choosing the Outworld as their nesting space due to the presence of soil, decorations, or other elements.

What is the recommended way to encourage ants to use the Outworld for foraging and not nesting?

Feeding the ants through their Outworld and creating a slight breeze or heat in the area are recommended, as ants typically avoid nesting in places where they encounter prey or other animals, and dislike wind and heat.

What is the importance of monitoring the ants' living conditions?

Monitoring the ants' living conditions is crucial for ensuring they are properly fed, nourished, and protected from outside threats such as predators, diseases, and fungal infections.

What is Insecta-Slip and how is it used in ant keeping?

Insecta-Slip is a liquid fluon (PTFE) that hardens into an enamel-like substance, used to create a barrier that prevents ants from escaping their setup. It is applied to the edges of the ant enclosure to contain the ants effectively.

How often should the ants' Outworld and formicarium be changed in captivity?

In captivity, the ants' Outworld and formicarium should be changed at least once every one or two years to maintain cleanliness and prevent the buildup of waste and bacteria.

What contest is being mentioned at the end of the video, and what are the prizes?

A contest is being held to celebrate 5,000 subscribers on the Aunts Canada channel, with two free Omni nests and eight free ant-keeping handbooks as prizes.