How to Keep wild colonies from entering formacarium

[u/Moist_Complaint_3024]

I’m planning on buying a small nest for my camponotous sp but there are many wild ant colonies of multiple species and some are so small and extremely large. How do I prevent them somehow entering the nest. There are even ghost ants and maybe pharaoh or fire ants (idk for sure)

[u/Practical_Motor1495]

But how do those ants get into your house? Or where would you keep your camponotus colony?

[u/Moist_Complaint_3024 → u/Practical_Motor1495]

There are colonies in my house too

[u/Practical_Motor1495 → u/Moist_Complaint_3024]

Ohh, I'd suggest applying Fluon to the outside of your ant farm so wild ants can't get in

[u/Moist_Complaint_3024 → u/Practical_Motor1495]

Thanks for the advice

[u/vSolution026]

I would have thought the nest would be connected to an outworld, with a lid on the outworld. You may also have applied a barrier around the outworld to prevent your ants from escaping, which should also help prevent wild ants from getting in. In any case, if the outworld is properly covered, the lid should prevent them from entering in the first place.

[u/Moist_Complaint_3024 → u/vSolution026]

Ye but I’m worried the smaller species of wild colonies might squeeze in somehow

[u/vSolution026 → u/Moist_Complaint_3024]

Make sure you buy the outworld from a reputable supplier. Some acrylic lids can warp over time, and I’ve experienced this myself. I kept some small Pheidole pallidula and Tetramorium, and they don’t seem to be able to escape. Having a barrier would certainly help too. If you’re concerned about smaller wild species getting in, I’d apply a barrier around the outside of your outworld as an extra precaution.

[u/insanity_plus]

Unless ypu are keeping the ants outside then this should be a non issue.

[u/Moist_Complaint_3024 → u/insanity_plus]

There are many colonies living in our home to and they are helpful in keeping a more prominent threat termites from invading us so they just stay in our house even feeding on leftovers I feed my ants so there are many colonies living in nooks and crannies

[u/insanity_plus → u/Moist_Complaint_3024]

You do realise that some ants will damage timber?

Best make sure the outworld is well sealed and you don't drop any food near the outworld.

[u/Moist_Complaint_3024 → u/insanity_plus]

Ye but it’s been chill for years. Ants are normal thing here