Dirt in a formicarium?

[Sponge]

Hello!

So I was wondering if any of you put dirt in your formicarium's? Not like a traditional ant farm where they dig it out and make there own nests, but like a thin layer of dirt on the floor. If so do you think it helps the ants in anyway? Or is it just for looks?

[Serafine]

Yes you can do that. Bake the soil (and let it cool down) before you put it in to kill mites and parasites.

[Sponge]

Yes you can do that. Bake the soil (and let it cool down) before you put it in to kill mites and parasites.

Does it have any benefits for the ants though?

[AntsSA]

probably lets the water from hydration spread further and lets them bury waste.

[Martialis]

Yes you can do that. Bake the soil (and let it cool down) before you put it in to kill mites and parasites.

Does it have any benefits for the ants though?

Killing parasites. The dirt decomposers might die, though.

[idahoantgirl]

I personally wouldn't reccomend it because it will not stay on the floor. the nats will try to use it to cover up the glass since that is where the most light comes from. It can give your formicarium a very dirty look and also makes it difficult to see the ants against the dark background.

[larynx]

Use sand instead of dirt. they will use it for many things, burying waste, absorbing and transporting moisture, and adding to there nest if they want. i add a little sand in all my outworlds, just to give the ants something to use and do.

[jwatson16202]

I've recently moved a L. niger colony into a hybrid nest, in the last few hours they've started getting a little more bold and started exploring.
So far one ant (pretty sure it's only one) is making repeated trips to and from the outworld bringing back sand. Risking a quick peek into the nest so far they seem to be using it to block off the chambers they're using.