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#author("2022-03-04T12:05:54+09:00","","")
<img width="474" src="https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_nbcnews-fp-1024-512,f_auto,q_auto:best/msnbc/Components/Photos/060914/060914_antfight_hmed.jpg">Ant farms are, by far, one of the most popular vivariums in the hobby. Many might not see a formicarium the exact way they see an aquarium or terrarium. But those of us that are here for the sheer magnificence of the ant empire will appreciate this precise guide of housing ant colonies! What Is A Formicarium?A formicarium, also commonly known as an “ant farm”, is a vivarium consisting of ant colonies. The formic part of the word arises from the Latin word Formica, meaning “ant.” The term itself translates to “a place of ants.” The plural form of formicarium is formicaria. Care Taking Tips For A Vigorous FormicariumTaking care of an ant farm is fairly simple. This is why https://talis-us.com/blogs/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ants-colony are perfect for young children starting in the vivarium hobby. Here are some tips that will guide any level ant keeper to maintaining a thriving ant colony: Chill The Colony Out Before Introducing ThemA brilliant trick to moving ants in a controlled manner is to reduce their body temperature before the institution. Placing them in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes will soothe ants down, and they will move a lot slower until warming back up. Prepare The Nest Before Introducing A New ColonyAnts might find their new environment stressful and confusing. A simple yet viable task to help jump-start a new set of ants is to create tunnels. Looking for a quick place of shelter, pre-probed holes about two inches deep will be all needed for ants to discover their place. Keep Your Ants HydratedThis is a vital necessity for ants, along with a healthy diet. Keeping a small tray full of water at all times would be perfect, but if the enclosure is too small for a tray, you could also use a dropper to keep the top layer of substrate moist. Feed Ants Proportionately And AccordinglyIt’s easy to see ants in the wild will eat just about anything. But if we want a thriving colony, we will have to provide our ants with a well-balanced diet. Ants need protein and simple carbohydrates to survive. Fruits and any sugar are good sources of carbs. Insects, dead or alive, are an excellent source of protein. Be cautious not to overfeed your ants; wasted uneaten food will bring undesirable mold and bacteria to the enclosure. Remove Any Signs Of DecompositionAnts are tidy animals. They do a fantastic job of keeping the nest clean. They bring all of their dead and uneaten food out to the landscape area. Eliminate this type of waste as needed to prevent mold build-up. Keep The Enclosure In A Cool AreaTemperature is the real secret to the longevity of an ant colony. Remember in the earlier tip how cooling them down slowed their movement. Well, this also slows their actual life span and their metabolism as well. Finding a place in your house that’s about 70 -75 degrees Fahrenheit will be ideal for the ant nest to thrive as a community. Keep it away from direct sunlight, and don’t place it in an area too cold, or the ants might fall into hibernation. Don’t Mix Ant SpeciesMost ants will not take nicely to foreign colonies. Ants will battle with one another if you place two or more species together. So certainly don’t do that! Don’t Move The FormicariumSo this might not be obvious, but once your ants begin building tunnels, moving the ant farm could potentially cause tunnels to collapse. Find a suitable place to set the formicariums and leave it entirely still to stop unnecessary stress. Keep An Ant Species Native To Your EnvironmentThere are several reasons to adhere to colonies found locally within your respective area. For one, it’s illegal to bring some species of ants into some countries. If a specific ant species are invasive and breaks free, it could cause severe damage to the environment, causing other insects to go extinct. Another common reason to go with native ants is they will find it much easier to care for already being used to environmental factors like temperature and resources. Cover The Ant Farm When Not ObservingAnts like being in the dark. They feel secure and thrive when having a cozy nest to retreat too. A black sheet or box to protect the ant farm when you aren’t looking at them will lead to a more active and developed colony. This is bonus advice for those looking to make a sandwich-style formicarium.
