Unboxing/Assembling | Cheap Ant Formicarium

Summary

In this tutorial, the host addresses a common issue with ant farms' rubber bands that weaken over time, creating gaps and posing a threat to the colony. They guide viewers through unboxing and assembling a new formicarium, emphasizing the importance of proper nesting space management to avoid mold and disease. The host shares a personal story of an ant colony raid by pharaoh ants and demonstrates a solution using acrylic cement to seal gaps. The video concludes with the introduction of a growing fire ant colony, showcasing the excitement of ant keeping and the anticipation of a bioactive setup for a more natural living environment.

Takeaways

• 📦 The video features an unboxing and assembly of an ant farm, which comes with various components like a test tube, screws, rubber rings, and an acrylic formicarium.
• 🐜 The script addresses a common issue with ant farms where rubber bands weaken over time, creating gaps that can be problematic for the colony's security.
• 🔧 The video provides a tutorial on how to fix the problem with the rubber bands by using acrylic cement to permanently secure the acrylic pieces, preventing any gaps.
• 🚫 It warns against the danger of small gaps, as they can allow invading ants, such as pharaoh ants, to enter and potentially destroy the colony.
• 🏰 The assembly process is detailed, including the correct order of layers, the use of rubber for hydration, and the placement of a test tube holder and dividers for nest control.
• 👷‍♂️ The importance of not giving the ants more space than they need is highlighted to prevent them from using the extra space as a bathroom or garbage site, which could lead to mold and endanger the colony.
• 🌳 The video shows the excitement of moving a new colony into the ant farm, specifically a fire ant colony that was caught indoors during lockdown.
• 🛠️ A temporary solution using rubber rings is suggested before applying the acrylic cement for a permanent fix to prevent ants from escaping and to keep intruders out.
• 🚫 The use of barriers such as baby powder with alcohol or olive oil, or 'flow on' is recommended to prevent ants from escaping when the ant farm is opened for feeding or cleaning.
• 🎉 The video concludes with the successful moving of the fire ant colony into the newly secured ant farm and the anticipation of the colony's growth and future bioactive setup.
• 📚 The script ends with an invitation to learn more from the video and a call to action for viewers to like, share, and subscribe for more ant-related content.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the rubber band or ring in ant farms?

The rubber band or ring weakens over time, creating gaps on the corners and lid of the acrylic pieces, which can lead to security issues for the ant colony.

What are the components included in the package of the ant farm?

The package includes a test tube, screws, rubber rings, and a hydration source, along with the acrylic formicarium.

Why is it important to fix the gaps in the ant farm?

Fixing the gaps is crucial to prevent invading ants, such as pharaoh ants, from entering and potentially raiding the colony.

What is the recommended method to fix the gaps in the ant farm?

The recommended method is to use acrylic cement, which sets in 20 seconds, to permanently secure the acrylic pieces and prevent gaps.

What is the purpose of the red films used in the formicarium?

The red films serve as nest dividers, allowing the user to control the space given to the colony and prevent it from becoming a bathroom or garbage site.

Why should you not give the ants more space than they need in the nest?

Excess space can be used by the ants as a bathroom or garbage site, which is undesirable as it can lead to mold formation and endanger the colony.

What is the colony that is being moved into the new formicarium?

The colony being moved is a fire ant colony, which belongs to a queen caught indoors during lockdown in May 2020.

How can you prevent ants from escaping when you open the formicarium?

You can use a barrier such as baby powder with alcohol, olive oil, or flow on to prevent ants from escaping when the formicarium is opened for feeding or cleaning.

What is the significance of the test tube in the ant farm setup?

The test tube is used for hydration, providing a source of water for the ants within the formicarium.

What is the speaker's plan for the future regarding the fire ant colony?

The speaker plans to create a bioactive setup for the fire ant colony in the future, allowing them to live in a more natural environment.

What is the speaker's advice for viewers who enjoy the content?

The speaker encourages viewers who love ants and nature to like and share the video, and to look forward to future updates on the ant colonies.