Volume 41, Number 1, January 1995:
Collection and Maintenance of Ants
and
Studying Ants: A Beginning
by Mark B. DuBois

Text-only version

ISSUE HOME PAGE

ABOUT THIS ISSUE
- about KSN
- about the author

IN THIS ISSUE
- introduction
- collection
- maintenance, observation ant farm
- maintenance, classroom use
- project observations
- literature cited
- books for children on ants

Studying Ants: A Beginning
by Mark B. DuBois
- males, queens and worker ants
- establishing a colony
- caring for young
- growth of an ant colony
- ant senses
- gardening ants
- harvester ants
- parasitic ants
- acrobat ants
- army ants
- questions, activities and investigations with ants
- further reading

SLIDESHOW
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Collection and Maintenance of Ants to Use for Teaching
by Roger D. Akre, Laurel D. Hansen, and Elizabeth A. Myhre

and

Studying Ants: A Beginning
by Mark B. DuBois

MAINTENANCE, CLASSROOM USE

Nests: Any of a variety of clear, plastic containers can be used as nests for ants. Rectangular boxes, storage jars, round containers with lids, and even old soda bottles can be converted into nest (Figures 7-10). All must be vented (various nylon or metal screens, Figure 8), and all must have easy access to add water and food. It is probably best to use a large container (Figure 8, 12" X 12" X 6") as a container for the main colony; usually a large number of ants. This container can also serve as a reservoir of ants as they are needed for experiments. Smaller containers, with feeding chambers attached (Figures 9-10), are used for individual experiments.

Plastic containers can easily be connected using plastic tubing (available in hardware stores or pet shops as air or water tubing). Holes are made in made in the containers with a heated cork borer or a piece of copper tubing. The tubing is then inserted and cemented into place with silicone cement or hot melt glue.

Many ants are unable to cross barriers or "ant goop" made of a 2:1 mixture of petroleum jelly and mineral oil. However, nearly all species of Formica run across these barriers rapidly so the goop is without value. However, the barrier will work well with carpenter ants and some other species. Test the goop before using it extensively.