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How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:08 pm
by fepeco
I just have to mix baby powder + alcohol?
There is any specific type or any one will do de job?
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:44 pm
by Acromyrmexbob
Interesting, have not come across this before. Do you mean to form a barrier? To prevent escape. Might work. When the alcohol evaporates the talcum will stay. Might be better getting a light oil such as 3in1 and paint a 1" strip around the top.
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:50 pm
by fepeco
Yes, to prevent escape, I already have baby powder, do mean coking oil or other type of oil?
Do you think a tube with diameter of 5/8 is enough space for a Atta ant?
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 9:20 pm
by Acromyrmexbob
Hi, light oil from hardware, a lubricating oil, not cooling oil, that will smell and attract flies after a while. The name over here is 3in1, its like WD40 but a little thicker.
I recommend tube with an internal diameter of 25mm as the minimum for an active colony.
Andrew
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:26 pm
by fepeco
Do you think this size is enough for them to carry the leafs?
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 1:05 am
by Acromyrmexbob
At a push. Tube looks like around 20mm internal diameter which will be ok but if your colony thrives you will definitely need to upgrade.
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:44 am
by Andyj
Ive used baby powder before with other ants and it works quite well for a while but needs replacing frequently. Also tried oils and grease but ants eventually build a barrier across it and it gets messy. PTFE is your best choice, if it is available in your country. I haven't had one escape in about 10 months of using it with my LCA's or even added any extra.
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:34 am
by fepeco
I didn't find anything with PTFE, just plastic haha, could you be more specific or post a photo, thanks.
Re: How it's done the protect border with baby powder?
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 12:43 pm
by Andyj
Sorry i should have explained
What is Fluon? Referred to as PTFE in ant communities,
Fluon is a milky-white, slippery plastic resin that, once applied to the vertical walls of an insect habitat, pet food bowl, or other plastic, glass, or smooth metal surface, will prevent ants or insects from crawling past the nearly invisible barrier. Once they reach the barrier, they will slip and fall back to the bottom. Properly maintained, the barrier can last for several months and is completely non-toxic.
