Sugar Ants

[Rakkikira]

I'm honestly not sure whether this goes in food and nutrition or pest/disease which is why I'm posting :roll:

I just lifted up some leaves in the viv I put together a few weeks ago for an L. williamsi (who is not yet in residence) and about 15-20 sugar ants scattered away. I've put a dish of cornstarch and sugar near the tank hoping to draw them out at least but will I have to gut it and start over?

I can if I have to, I'd just be super bummed...

 

[drillman]

Ants

First thing you need to do is fine out if the ants came from a plant that you put in. Most people will completely wash away, remove all the soil that comes with the plant to prevent this type of problem. Or the ants came from out side the house. Which means you will have to go on ant patrol to get rid of the nest or nests. Yes, I hate ants! You could try dry ice to kill the ants and any other pests such as gnats. The CO2 from the dry ice will not harm the plants, but will kill the pests and reptiles. The CO2 vapors are heavier than air and will settle to the bottom of the cage and will leak out of any cracks/holes. So these will need to be sealed up. As of yet I have not tried using dry ice for this.

 

[Rakkikira]

I'll pick some up today and see if it works. I've already got some new substrate on it's way in case it doesn't work.

 

[drillman]

Dry Ice

Stuff is very cold so use gloves. I wouldn't have any animals in the same room, especially near the floor. The CO2 vapors will displace the air/oxygen. Just to be on the safe side. There was a previous post about using dry ice from Marty from MistKing.

 

[Rakkikira]

Oh yeah, we use a LOT of it around halloween
Just finished the second round (because I'm paranoid) and so far it at least looks super cool. Like a little piece of the Cambrian period

 

[Rakkikira]

Well it looks like dry ice isn't effective for ants. They're out in force this morning and the tank was sealed all night. Oh well, time to tear it up