CATDOLL : CATDOLL: How to breed ants (video on how to breed ants)

1. How to raise ants?

Artificial breeding method of ants:

1. Dark Law:

Principle: Take advantage of the fact that ants like to hide and live in the dark. First, connect the original nest and the target nest, keep the target nest dark, and keep the original nest bright. After a certain period of time, they will move to the dark target nest. Method: First, create conditions suitable for ants to live in the target nest, then connect it to the original nest with a pipe or other means, and then cover the target nest with books or cloth. Then, you can disturb the ants in the original nest in a certain way, so that they can find the target nest faster and move away from the original nest faster. Of course, you can also not disturb them. They can complete the move in about 1 to 24 hours, and even the eggs will be moved there. The speed of moving is different for different species and under different conditions. After moving, the original nest can be removed in time.

Tips and Notes: This method is the simplest and most convenient, and is also a commonly used method. It is suitable for most ant species, especially small ant colonies with many eggs. This method is the most suitable.

2. Temperature difference method: Principle - Use extreme temperature conditions to force ants to move. First, connect the original nest and the target nest. The target nest maintains the temperature conditions that the ants like, while the original nest maintains a low or high temperature. After a certain period of time, they will move to the comfortable target nest.

Method: First, create conditions suitable for ants to live in (temperature, humidity, etc.) for the target nest, and then make the original nest cold (using ice cubes or putting it in the refrigerator, etc.) or hot (using hot water bottles, etc.). By creating these temperature conditions that they don't like, they will move to the target nest with suitable temperature conditions within a certain period of time. After moving, the original nest can be dismantled in time. You're done.

Tips and Notes - This method makes it easy for the ants to move completely, and is applicable to all ants regardless of the size of the colony. It also makes it easy for them to move all their eggs, but the operation is a bit cumbersome.

3. Drying method:

Principle: Use extreme humidity conditions to force ants to move. First, connect the original nest and the target nest. The target nest maintains the humidity conditions that the ants like, while the original nest remains dry and no water is added. After a certain period of time, the ants will move to the target nest.

Method - First create conditions suitable for ants to live in (temperature, humidity, etc.) for the target nest, and then let the original nest dry out naturally without adding water, or take certain measures to accelerate drying. When the ants can't stand the dryness, they will move to a more comfortable new home.

Tips and Notes: This method is suitable for those who are not in a hurry to move the ants. The main disadvantage is that it takes a long time. However, it is suitable for most ants and is easy to operate.

4. Freezing method:

Principle - Through low humidity and freezing measures, the ants are temporarily inactivated and then transferred manually.

Method - First create conditions suitable for ants to live in (temperature, humidity, etc.) for the target nest, open it and prepare it, then you can put the original nest into the refrigerator and freeze it for a few minutes. The temperature should not be too low, at a few degrees they basically will not move anymore, then quickly open the ant nest, transfer the frozen ants to the target nest, pick them up with tweezers or grab them directly with your hands, if there are eggs you can use a brush to move them over, then cover the target nest, and let the dormant ants slowly wake up.

Tips and Notes - This method is suitable for ants with small colonies and relatively large sizes. The operation is a bit troublesome, and it will be even more inconvenient if there are many eggs.

2. How to raise ants?

1. Breeding site: Build a circular water tank around the breeding pond, about 50 cm wide and 10 cm deep, and fill the pond with water to prevent ants from escaping. Build a simple wooden frame on the island, which can be layered, with each layer about 25 to 30 cm, connected from top to bottom, and 5-10 nests can be raised per square meter.

2. Environmental temperature: The growth and reproduction of drug ants are closely related to the control of temperature and humidity. The normal temperature is 10℃-38℃, the best reproduction temperature is 25℃ to 30℃, and the environmental humidity is maintained at 80% to 90%. The humidity of the breeding soil is about 20%, and it can be sprayed with clean water several times a day. In winter, cover the shed with plastic sheets or use light bulbs and coal stoves for heating.

3. Feeding ant bait: Ants are omnivorous insects, and they must be fed with sufficient and delicious bait when raised artificially. They can be fed with corn flour, watermelon rind, rotten pears, non-alkaline food, leftovers, rice bran, etc. They can also be fed with insects with high protein content, such as flies, and dead insects and mice.

4. Daily management: The bait that ants eat should be hygienic, the water they drink should also be hygienic, and the ant house should be cleaned regularly. The light should be kept for 15 hours a day and night, and direct sunlight should be avoided in summer. A 15-watt light bulb should be used for lighting at night. The air in the ant house should be kept circulating and fresh. The ant nest should not be turned over at will to avoid affecting reproduction.

3. How to raise ants?

1. Site selection: Choose a site that is ventilated, dry and has sufficient light.

2. Breeding facilities: Use bricks (or plastic film) to build a circular water trough around the site, ensure that the water trough has a certain inclination, use bamboo or wooden sticks to build a frame, arrange it into a track shape, and place humus sand at the bottom.

4. How to raise ants?

1. Site selection: Choose a site that is ventilated, dry and has sufficient light.

2. Breeding facilities: Use bricks (or plastic film) to build a circular water trough around the site, ensure that the water trough has a certain inclination, use bamboo or wooden sticks to build a frame, arrange it into a track shape, and place humus sand at the bottom.

3. Making of breeding boxes: Shoe boxes, food boxes or clothing paper boxes can be used as breeding boxes.

4. Feed: small animal carcasses, plants, fruits and vegetables are all fine.

5. Feeding and management: Take measures such as escape prevention and cleaning.

5. How to raise ants?

1. Site selection:

It should be determined according to the size of the breeding population. Whether indoors or outdoors, there must be sufficient light, no clutter, and no bad odors.

2. Breeding facilities:

Use bricks (or plastic film) around the site. Build a 25 cm wide and 5 cm deep water tank. The inner edge of the water tank should maintain a certain inclination to effectively prevent the seed ants from falling into the water. When building the water tank, leave a drainage hole that is convenient for changing water. Build a frame 20-25 cm away from the inner edge of the water tank. The materials can be bamboo poles or wooden sticks, arranged side by side in a track shape. The first shelf is more than 30 cm above the ground, and the distance between the shelves is more than 35 cm. Place 10-15 cm thick humus sand at the bottom of the shelf.

3. Production and arrangement of breeding boxes:

Homemade feeding boxes are usually paper boxes that have been used to store food and clothing, and are generally 35-40 cm long, 20-25 cm wide, and 10-15 cm high. Place the Masson pine, which is the favorite nest for ants, in the box, followed by leguminous plant straw such as red beans, soybeans, and broad beans. Wild plants include small-leaf camphor, large-leaf camphor, and old grass. All need to be dried to prevent mildew. The tightness of the straw should be appropriate, neither too tight nor too loose. This is very important. Ants do not differentiate and build nests on straw that is about to mold or has already molded. Put the straw together with the seed ants that have been divided into nests into the box, seal it with adhesive tape on all sides, and drill a small hole at one end of the box. The arrangement interval of the ant box should not be less than 60 cm. If the interval is too close, it will easily cause ants to fight with each other.

4. Feeding and Management

Ants have a wide variety of food, and they like to eat anything sweet and animal. They can be divided into two categories: A. Animal bait: such as meat residues and thick blood of cattle, sheep, fish, pigs, chickens, etc. Various insects are also good food for ants, such as beetles, maggots, silkworm pupae, earthworms, etc. B. Food with sweet taste, such as brown and white sugar, watermelon, honey, pear cores, apple cores, etc.

Ants have a very small appetite, about 0.1 mg per ant per day. 100,000 ants require about 100 grams of food a day (different species have different values ​​depending on their body size). They are generally fed once every 3-5 days.

When feeding, a food bowl and a sponge for absorbing water should be placed on the top of the feeding box. To prevent the food from spoiling, the food should be fed in the same way as before. Feed and clean frequently. Feed as little as possible and point as many as possible to avoid fighting over food. In addition, the types of food should be changed frequently to prevent the ants from losing their appetite.

If you raise them outdoors, in the hot summer, you should plant some vines around the ant box to block the strong sunlight to avoid high temperatures in the ant box. The most suitable temperature for ants to grow and reproduce is 22℃-37℃, the air humidity must be controlled at around 81%, and the soil humidity should be kept at 10-15%. If the air is too dry, you can use a sprayer to spray the ant box and the ground frequently to maintain the normal activities and reproduction of the ants.

6. How to raise ants?

The question of raising ants is not limited to how to raise them, but how to raise them well. With the prosperity of the pet industry, ants have also appeared in people's vision as a novel pet. Here are some pictures of pet ants.

Camponotus agate

Golden big-headed ant

Camponotus jinshaensis

Big-headed ant

The ants above may be the first time you have seen them as pets. Ants have their own advantages. They take up little space, are small, and have beautiful and diverse colors. The key is that they are unique! People usually ignore them and think they are just black. In fact, different species have different characteristics. You can't raise such beautiful ants in a pile of soil. It's not beautiful. Here are some nests for raising ants.

The concrete three-dimensional nest is highly reminiscent of a natural ant nest, has a good ornamental effect, and gives a sense of beauty that allows one to peek into the underground world.

In recent years, 3D printing has become popular and has also been used to make flat nests. The choice of ant nests is simple and beautiful, easy to observe, simple and generous, and fully reflects the God's perspective.

The advanced "cabbage nest" looks very high-end. It is not only convenient for observation, but also improves your hobby to a higher level.

ps: The above pictures are from the forum "Ant Bar"

7. Basic tutorial on raising ants?

The specific steps are as follows

1. Collect ants.

Ordinary ants will not reproduce unless you place a queen ant in your ant farm.

2A place where ants are raised.

Find a glass bottle of suitable size. Glass bottles are more convenient for observation. Remember to leave air holes on the bottle cap.

3Fill with soil.

Make sure the soil is loose so the ants can move around, and leave some space at the top to prevent the ants from climbing out of the jar.

4. Provide food and water.

Do not feed ants meat or other cooked foods, as this will attract pests to your enclosure.

5. Warmth.

Keep it in a room with a stable, comfortable temperature. Keep it out of direct sunlight, or the glass will overheat and kill the ants.

6Shake the bottle.

Shaking the bottle or handling it roughly can cause their tunnels to collapse, killing them. Be careful with ant farms.

7. Reduce light.

Ants like to be active at night, and they will dig ant holes at night. When you are not observing the ants, try to cover the black cloth.