<< 2004 >>
Home
Email
Lasius NigerUseful things
|
Special Nest Module
|
Nest Module A simple nest module made out of a plastic box, plaster and fiber glass. It has it's own integrated heating system.
A red plastic foil makes the inside dark for the ants eyes.
|
Fiber Glass Wick First you need a fiber glass wick. I got it from here
It is not expensive but most effective.
It will carry water into the plaster.
Mixing plaster I mix the plaster in a bottle to avoid a mess.
I have to put much more plaster then water into the bottle.
Then I pour some of the plaster into the box.
See a QuickTime Movie of how I mix the plaster and then cast it into the box: mix the plaster - gips mischen: gips.mov casting plaster - gips giessen: giessen_pour.mov
Cover The cover must close tight. A tube goes trough the cover. It will be one way for Lasius Niger to enter the chill out area :)
|
Drilling Holes Drilling holes into plastic needs much caution.
Do not inhale the arising vapors!
I use a matal drillbit. To make larger holes I start with small drillbits, otherwise the plastic will shiver.
The holes will serve as entrances and as air supply which is very important. You have to pay attention that no CO2 ansammelt. can accumulate.
|
Heating System The heating system is integrated directly in the box.
A lamp Is placed in a plastic enevlope which reaches inside. This way the lamp can be changed without opening the nest.
It is an orinary tiny 12V lamp for cars. But the AC/DC adaptor powers the lamp only with 4.5V because otherwise it gets too hot. The lamp is covered in red plastic foil.
The temperature inside should not exceed 34°C.
|
|
|
|
|
All content on this site is licensed under a creative commons licence.
|