Ants are popular insects for their labory habits. And, as with bees, worker ants are engaged in group work for the sake of the colony and queen. It is common to see them run to increase their anthill or collect food, as ants are present all over the world.
In this sense, observing them can be a fascinating activity for insect lovers. If you’re also one of them, you’ve probably already wondered how to make an anthill, right? Then continue reading this Animal Expert article that will explain everything you need to know about this process.
- The first thing you need to do is get a suitable container to start your anthill.
- Some people use simple plastic cookers.
- But the most recommended thing.
- For reasons of hygiene.
- Size and maintenance.
- Is to use glass containers.
It is possible to buy glass containers for other functions, such as a glass, boats or aquarium. However, the most recommended thing to ensure the survival of the colony and the creation of spaces is the purchase of a glass anthill in a physical pet store or online. It is possible to find very varied and creative options in the market. If you choose to use recycled glass containers or bottles, make sure they are clean, without labels or inscriptions.
But in addition to the nest itself, you will need a feeding area, that is, a second space you need to connect to the homemade nest. In this space, ants will be able to find food, in addition to eliminating their waste and exercising, fundamental to their well-being.
There are many types of anthills, both commercial and artisanal. We can find a part of the terrain, where it starts without holes. In these, ants have to dig for themselves, and they can be a very interesting option for curious people who want to know what an anthill looks like inside, seeing the process in the most natural way possible. In other cases, you can opt for anthills with prefabricated spaces, in which it is probably better to observe the process, but more artificially.
Commercial (and homemade, because they can also be made at home) with spaces already created before the introduction of ants are:
In this YouTube video from ABC do Sabre, you’ll know how to make an anthill with the respective feeding area. This is a simple and inexpensive option, see:
If you’ve decided to make an anthill with dirt, you’re probably wondering what kind of substrate to use. Know then that the land can be easily obtained in your own garden, just make sure it is a wet soil, with the presence of some small stones. Of course, you should control the amount of moisture, because the soil should not be soaked, but it should not be completely beaten and dried. Also make sure that the soil does not contain animal remains, so you will avoid the appearance of fungi by rot.
It is advisable to examine it carefully to remove any organic content (food, dead animals) and inorganic (plastic parts, glass, cigarette butts), among others. Ideally, the anthill substrate should be free of these elements, as well as other living insects that can attack the ants.
If you don’t have enough land in your garden, you can buy land and sand in a nursery or greenhouse, just make sure the land isn’t fertilized or composted. Once you have chosen the soil, mix two parts with one of sand and pour into the anthill, or in the flat aquarium or in recycled bottles. Make sure the soil doesn’t get trapped in the glass (if it does, it means it’s too wet and you’ll have to take it out to dry) and it’s not too compact, remember that the ants should be able to move easily.
Before introducing species of ants, it is necessary to find a method to keep them inside the anthill, otherwise they will escape. It is impossible to completely close the aquarium or containers you use, as this would prevent oxygen from entering and the ants would die. We recommend that you follow these steps to learn how to properly make an artificial anthill:
This way, your ants will have enough oxygen without being able to escape the colony.
Your anthill is almost ready, but where to look for new tenants? Many people mistakenly choose to use ants from their garden, however, these insects breed according to a strict hierarchical system, so they will survive a few weeks in a new anthill if they don’t have a queen. After this period, they will die at the end of their life cycle and there will be no more in the colony.
Where to find an ant queen? Here comes the real problem. The queen ants almost never leave the inside of the anthill, they remain in the deepest and darkest place taking their young and organizing the operation of the colony. They can only be seen outdoors during the bridal flight, i.e. the mating period. Some people may think about destroying the anthill or capturing the queen during the bridal flight, however, the existing anthill would die soon, so we do not recommend this option under any circumstances.
In such cases, it is best to go to a store and buy an ant colony kit. These kits are made without destroying the home of other insects and include the queen of ants and various workers. However, in the following ABC do Sabre video, we’ll see how to identify the ant queen and how to start an ant colony.
Bringing the ants to their new home is very simple. They are usually sold in specimens, including water, a separation cotton, seeds and a small colony formed by the queen of ants, worker ants and one or two soldier ants. Simply open the funnel and leave it over the feeding area.
The ants themselves will take the lead and start digging or finding a safe place where the queen can take refuge. It is important that during this process you reduce the lighting of the place, as the queen of the ants has a preference for dark areas. You can also put a black cardboard on the outside of the anthill, which you can remove when you’re curious, without causing damage to the ants. Remember to cover the top area to prevent them from escaping.
Once you know how to make an anthill, it’s time to know what the essential precautions are to keep it:
Feeding ants
The food of the ants will depend on the size of the anthill, the amount of insects it contains and the type of ant. Thus, there are honey ants, others that feed on different insects, fruits or seeds. It will leave adequate food for ant species in the feeding area. In any case, do not exceed the amount of food, otherwise it will rot. Avoid offering food or cooked meat for the same reason.
Ants get most of their moisture from food. However, it may be desirable to strengthen it to avoid dehydration and death. You must not water the earth, as it can drown the anthill. The ideal way to offer them the vital liquid is to soak a cotton swab in water and renew it every few days.
You should clean the feeding area regularly, but never inside the nest. You’ll notice that in this space, the ants throw away the useless food, dirt and corpses of their dead comrades. You can use a cotton swab to do this cleaning.
Ant colonies are built underground, so they prefer a dark environment to do their job. You should not place the anthill near a window or lamp, prefer a poorly lit house space, otherwise the glass must be covered with cardboard.
Likewise, ideally you choose a space of the house that can be the permanent home of the ants, since it is not advisable to move the anthill or manipulate it. If you have to do this, you should be very careful to prevent the earth from moving and crushing the ants.
With these simple tips, your home ant colony will thrive in no time. Guaranteed!
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