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Post by Tebom on Apr 12, 2013 15:20:43 GMT
Ok I'll bear that in mind..... wouldn't want a war on my hands.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 12, 2013 15:33:34 GMT
This is the kind of wild nest you're looking for Tom, as this is one nest in our garden under a large paving slab. Niger brood
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Post by Tebom on Apr 12, 2013 15:44:33 GMT
Whoa those are amazing pictures! Quick question, if I may, while you guys are online. Is there any rule of thumb re. how wet your farm should be? I'm very uncertain as to how wet is too wet.
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Post by Zarbi on Apr 12, 2013 15:52:47 GMT
Whoa those are amazing pictures! Quick question, if I may, while you guys are online. Is there any rule of thumb re. how wet your farm should be? I'm very uncertain as to how wet is too wet. I know that Wood sprays his ant tanks and set ups just enough to make the soil moist. Remember that in a wild nest water can drain away, but in an artificial nest it doesn't have any drainage. Just enough to make the soil particles stick together. You don't want it bone dry or mud.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 12, 2013 16:54:45 GMT
Try and avoid tap water, use boiled or distilled, or even rain water, as it doesn't clog the nest or the spray by leaving chalky deposits. You can pick up a good cheap plant spray for a pound or less, and set the spray for a fine mist. This dampens the top soil and soaks in well without risk of flooding.
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Post by crockatt on Apr 12, 2013 17:05:29 GMT
Good luck with your new colony, I was the same as you at this time last year and am now looking forward to a population explosion this year.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using proboards
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Post by Tebom on Apr 12, 2013 20:26:34 GMT
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 12, 2013 21:07:47 GMT
Good to see her and her workers have arrived safe and sound. Looks like a nice healthy little colony, so it should grow bigger as this year progresses.
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Post by Tebom on Apr 12, 2013 21:29:57 GMT
I'm delighted. Going to start a journal tomorrow. As for now, thanks everyone for your help.... I really appreciate it!!
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