DIY - 3 very cheap FORMICARIUMS

My third DIY video, hope it helps!
Im in thailand now, but it will take some time until my first "thai" video comes up as I'm living in hotels for now. But who knows! Things might still happen.
Hope you got inspired by the video and learnt something, as always I'm always open for suggestions or feedback in the comment section.
Have a fANTastic day,
Nordic Ants

[@AntsScandinavia]

Nice that you showed how to make a very cheap starting formicarium! 🔥Great Idea!😃😉

[@nordicants6232]

Ants Scandinavia thank you!! :D

[@CyrynDragoon]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I used this and a few other ideas to set up my first formicarium. It was pretty easy and super inexpensive. Thank you!!

[@nordicants6232]

My pleasure!!

[@dirkvanzyl7285]

Great video! Thanks for sharing ! Very helpful!

[@rp101aquatics6]

Can I use aquarium airline tubing and connect them together to make a larger formicarium

[@theedmtrap1700]

Yeah but just pick a size of tubing that's appropriate for the size of your ants. If you can't find airline tubing big enough then vinyl tubing from a hardware/diy store will work fine

[@donnevonpitzer831]

that's nice

[@antopiahk8655]

They all look beautiful! Again, great video!

[@nordicants6232]

Thank you!!

[@adrianlow1207]

I dont really suggest using wild plants or soil or any other materials outside tho. U never know if there are harmful mites or contaminated with pesticide. Be careful

[@nordicants6232]

Adrian Low Of course bad things come, But also good things. The queen knows how to take care of those if She is in a natural habitat. In a plaster setup She doesent stand a chance against mites :D

[@adrianlow1207]

:D

[@panjisurya449]

Adrian Low or buy them from a garden store XD

[@tvdv2443]

Soil can be baked in an oven to remove all unwanted pests.. You'll find vids about it if you look around ;)

[@kikopup5272]

agreed

[@empireasphalt5687]

Why haven't I thought if that years of keeping and making formicariums and I haven't bought if this (lol) yet this is inspiring too ,keep up with the good work!!!!!

[@antsusa215]

Awesome dude!

[@dirkvanzyl7285]

Definitely making and using number 1 and 3!

[@nordicants6232]

Makes me happy to hear it helped! :D

[@daanstulen8039]

Me to

[@antsunited6092]

nice vid, love the formicariums

[@radicalants2453]

Ants United me 2

[@AntScapes1]

these ideas are crazy good! May have to try something like this myself with a new queen! I'm hoping to catch my own soon :D

[@chipyyyass5853]

Amazing idea!

[@nordicants6232]

Thankss!! :D

[@masontv385]

Nice video, enjoy seeing the outdoors. Let's see Thailand!

[@nordicants6232]

Sure in future!

[@masontv385]

I grow a Thailand Giant Colocasia. My favorite plants usually come from Thailand, especially peppers!

[@viralvibinn]

AWESOME VIDEO

[@dinosaurterrorworld144]

Awesome video, super helpful.😊😄👍👏

[@nordicants6232]

Dinosaurs terroir World thank you!!! :D

[@thedailyant4490]

awsome vid

[@nordicants6232]

YT THE DAILY ANT thank you!!

[@noahcallins4595]

Very helpful

[@antigua8791]

Great video!

[@nordicants6232]

Fifa Nissen thank you! :D

[@warriorofsparta777]

+Nordic Ants hay

[@sparkscat9872]

thank for these ideas I have a bunch of small colonies and these will work great for them

[@nordicants6232]

Sparks Cat thank you!! Hope it works out for you

[@pan1c777]

Nice setups :)! Cheers

[@nordicants6232]

pan1c777 thank you!!

[@Au_Aquatica]

Great video mate

[@nordicants6232]

Queensland Ants thank you!

[@piedjee2806]

nice!

[@gracezhang8311]

Hi! I love these ideas! What can you do to make sure that the ants don't escape? Can they chew through the plastic?

[@nordicants6232]

Olive oil on the sides and they cant chew it! :D

[@gracezhang8311]

@@nordicants6232 Thanks so much!

[@xxstormsurgexx4687]

I was thinking like using the second one but having a carton bit like the third

[@cocottetrailattack7776]

Great vid. Its very creativ:)

[@nordicants6232]

Ants Republic thank you :D

[@Jaybiiird]

Great vid 😁

[@nordicants6232]

Zbionix / Caleb H. Ty!! :D

[@AntsManitoba]

Nice video Nordic

[@nordicants6232]

Ants Manitoba thank you!

[@SnowOtter4977]

If ur putting a founding queen in the plaster cup how would u give her water? You could put a moist cotton ball in every so often but that would be very tiresome and would probably bother the queen, would the hydration system be enough?

[@pimplebutt0076]

To water the dirt one you inject water into the cotton correct?

[@nordicants6232]

Yup! :D

[@theh00man32]

I know I'm a bit late, but how did the queens do in their respective cups?

[@stanleylittlejohn2265]

I SAW YOU TALKING TO ANT INVASION AND ANTS AUSTRALIA LUV UR VIDS :D

[@nordicants6232]

Stanley Littlejohn THANK YOU!

[@josevargas2345]

The dirt cup seems the simplest and cheapest in my area but I just want to know how the queen and ants survive in it

[@damirgrah6209]

I like the naturalistic one the most

[@nordicants6232]

Damir Grah me too ;)

[@rodrigobombas9781]

if i want to change a colony into one of these cups from a test tube how do i do it? i can´t drop them in XD a hole in the cup should do it right?

[@nordicants6232]

rodrigo bombas yes Hahah! Or maybe tilt the test tube or sumtin

[@rodrigobombas9781]

Nordic Ants and I will have ti make more holes if I want to connect them hahahaha.

[@daetouidk8463]

Can u show off the cement one more, that one looks pretty cool.

[@nordicants6232]

DaETou idk oh thank you!! Will try to make one more here in Thailand then :D

[@jemfinnaughty4062]

How do you keep the plaster and sand nests moist enough? Does the plaster suck up enough water on its own? Will watering the sand nest not cause the tunnels to collapse? Thanks for the info :)

[@nordicants6232]

+Jem Finnaughty the plaster will suck up enough water if you fill the reservoir twice a week, depends on species though. No the tunnels wont collapse if you sprak the top. :D

[@jemfinnaughty4062]

Thanks! I''ll give them a try. I'm really struggling to understand and find a balance in nest hydration.

[@nordicants6232]

+Jem Finnaughty best way to fight that skill(for me) is to have a long nest in wich where i mosten the other half of the nest. I them see where the ants place themselves, as they will place the brood at the optimal "hydrationplace"

[@daebarron5022]

do you need olive oil or like vegastable oil also is the grout stuff like cement

[@nordicants6232]

Whatever, it just needs to be organic! :D and idk, cement should work aswell

[@giblret9485]

Just a few questions... how will they get water in this setup and how would one move a 20 worker colony into it

[@nordicants6232]

celery celery to moisten the nest you only need to mist the surface. To move them theres many options :D have a tube placed in with deturrent ok the sides so that they dont clim ON instead of IN it. You can also do as antscanada and place the cup in an outworld!

[@giblret9485]

Nordic Ants Thanks! Will they drink the moistness of the nest?

[@nordicants6232]

celery celery yes! :D

[@giblret9485]

Nordic Ants Thanks :)

[@megh_d_aout]

Interesting :) you should add root aphids in number 2

[@nordicants6232]

Meghdoot Hossain Absolutely! Awesome idea

[@cchhii961]

I love ants!

[@nordicants6232]

#metoo

[@therealreel6436]

The first queen you showed in the intro looks exactly like the queens I found last week, I think they are Lasius neoniger, do you know if that's correct?

[@therealreel6436]

@@antsfinland2760 oh I live in America so I believe what I caught is neoniger

[@hafizh5085]

Hi, I want to ask. What is the function of that paper towel and cotton in the dirt cup?

[@nordicants6232]

To provide moisture and force the ants to dig nearthe glass for vidibility

[@hafizh5085]

Ok thank you! :D

[@marcy1210]

Help I tried this but I cant see the tunnels or get the modeling clay out because it wasn't tight enough and the plaster leaked through the modeling clay!

[@nordicants6232]

Maybe you can ”carve” out the tunnels from the hardened plaster? Hope it works out!! :D

[@marcy1210]

@@nordicants6232 Thanks I fixed it and my queen loves it!

[@nordicants6232]

Happy to hear!! :DD

[@rp101aquatics6]

Can I make the water reservoir a completely seperate container

[@helloitsme3144]

Love the vid! I make them with gipsum is that ok?

[@nordicants6232]

Niels Quaedvlieg Absolutely! This video is made for you guys! :D

[@masterkoeny]

Cant some ant species bite trough the plastic? I got Messor Barbarus, they are known to be able to cut trough a lot of materials.

[@nordicants6232]

masterkoeny not when the plastic is round :D no friction

[@masterkoeny]

Thanks!

[@iisokea]

How would I upgrade them in the future? It’s like my 3rd time watching this and I only just thought about it

[@nordicants6232]

You could make tubes between them! But I mostly have them as a founding setup, then I move the colony to a different setup :D

[@iisokea]

Nordic Ants so how would you transfer them? Dig them out or dump it into an outworld?

[@generalward6676]

What would you do when the colony gets too big for the cup?

[@nordicants6232]

Rheznos III place it in the outworld of the new setup without the deturrent or place a tube in it :D

[@generalward6676]

Nordic Ants thanks for replying but is there anywhere I can buy a queen ant for cheap because it's getting winter and I don't have alot alot of money

[@rp101aquatics6]

Is this enough for a small colony?

[@philthehexagon2989]

Yeah I’d say these are good for up to 40 - 100 workers

[@mircydris]

Wouldn't you want to wash out oil as it isn't really good for ants?

[@nordicants6232]

Alexander Kot its organic! And we also remove it with the toothbrush afterwards :D But good point anyways, shouldve clarified before

[@phoenixolivia2014]

How do you keep them from escaping!?

[@bolt1437]

Use a fluid called PTFE / Fluon Ants cant climb it, just apply it in a circular motion all around the container

[@emmettcollins-sussman633]

How do you re-hydrate the dirt cup?

[@nordicants6232]

Emmett Collins-Sussman mist the surface :D

[@Follower967]

What do you use as the escape barrier?

[@nordicants6232]

Matthew J. A lid(like a book) or simply deturrent like fluon. :D

[@Follower967]

Nordic Ants Thanks.

[@lanttiks6748]

Im going to use that next year! i was unlucky and i didn't found queen ant this year. i hope i will found queen next year

[@nordicants6232]

Great to hear! I will pray to the antgods for you!

[@lanttiks6748]

Nordic Ants thanks

[@warriorofsparta777]

+Nordic Ants the ant god is God and by the way would you know how to care for fire ants I have 9 queens

[@joebothehobo5895]

What’s best for camponotus

[@AnkieJay]

What's the purpose of cup #3? like adding in that carton bit in the middle for?

[@nordicants6232]

Moisture if you dont wanna water it everyday! :D

[@yaboyzzz9098]

I think it will also make the ants dig tunnels up against the side of the cup

[@nincalacadee5403]

@@yaboyzzz9098 yah its the main thing

[@tilde-lialvsilver4767]

👋👋👋

[@groovegnome]

How do I make a lid though?

[@antsunited6092]

Okay. Nordic, so i put my queen with her 2 workers in the out world. I gave them some honey, one of the workers came out, got honey and went back in side the test tube. later i saw the worker at the honey again and a saw the queen by the entrance of the test tube and then she came out and got some of the honey. is this normal?

[@josevargas2345]

Ants United yes some queens will go outside for food with workers

[@Echogaming1323]

What to use if you dont have clay????

[@janne1159]

First!

[@iguanayt2740]

How do i hydrate the nest?

[@reptilelove9375]

How can i give a feed them?

[@xshooter0570]

Please make more of them please

[@nordicants6232]

Glad you liked the video! Feel free to aska ny questions about it -although a new video about them might not come for a longer time. Might try this summer :D

[@xshooter0570]

:D

[@xshooter0570]

Oh how can I fed my ant some water cause im a beginner

[@flabigaming6281]

can I use cement instead of grout?

[@nordicants6232]

It will be a heavy pot! But maybe, lower humidity though..

[@pitirimctan]

How do you make sure that the ants don’t escape

[@nordicants6232]

+Pit Tan i have deturrent around the plastic or i simply put a lid on it :)

[@jcmc8220]

where are u from? great vid ;)

[@nordicants6232]

Guppy Moreno Sweden :D thank you!

[@jcmc8220]

Nordic Ants greetings from Finland ;)

[@nicholasloh2151]

Will this cup fit camponotus ants?

[@nordicants6232]

Up to you! Depends on how you design them :D but yeah ofc

[@nicholasloh2151]

Can pheidole ants be placed inside when there are only like 3 workers? I just caught a pheidole queen and she just laid eggs.

[@nicholasloh2151]

And also thx for responding to my message u are a great inspiration to me!😁😁😁

[@Ksnvz]

Hande queens gently! Slams the queen into the sand xD

[@viralcontent6581]

thats how i made my first ones last year lol =D then my brain worked better now i make good ones =DD

[@nordicants6232]

Ants2Formicariums Hahahah dont get What your saying But ok xD

[@juniorsoco5203]

Can I use cement?

[@nordicants6232]

Yes you can!

[@oliverharms270]

Can the ants just climb out?

[@scarletking2873]

Hey I'm about to leave your channel and you just remind me to subscribe and like 😂

[@sehp8613]

I'm from Norway

[@nordicants6232]

Nice

[@nicknuckles1210]

How does number 1 get water

[@philthehexagon2989]

Inject it through the hole

[@AntsCzech]

Hello Nordic Ants, i will use one or more of these awesome formicariums! And I need your idea for name for my Lasius Niger colony, so please check out my last video, thanks!

[@mylesmarshall2529]

Third

[@grimmsnonsensechannel3565]

My ant escaped !

[@nordicants6232]

:o omg! How??

[@grimmsnonsensechannel3565]

They just climb out and then bomb M they escape

[@grimmsnonsensechannel3565]

Actually they just bite of the cloth

[@helloitsme3144]

From wich Country you from?

[@nordicants6232]

Niels Quaedvlieg Sweden! :)

[@bababooey5681]

What if they craw og

[@yonasun2987]

2:23 OCD People Beware! This lump oh no );

[@donnevonpitzer831]

won't the ants escape

[@mylesmarshall2529]

How do yo find “ healthy dirt”

[@nordicants6232]

In forests, composts ect. Where things stays around and ev rot with lots of nutrients.

[@willowtan7113]

Nordic Ants hey, I love these ideas and have already started making one, but how TF do you think I should seal it?

[@nordicants6232]

Willowtan i say it in the end ;) But you can either just put a lid on it like a book or something orrrr have deturrent on the sides :)

[@ScorpionSting89]

Wats that whistling song called

[@nordicants6232]

No idea atm😂 look my credits

[@ScorpionSting89]

Nordic Ants where's ur credits

[@d1moabz28]

How many ants fit in these?

[@nordicants6232]

Depends on species :D but more than u think

[@kemchausalandyalvarez779]

I tried number 3 for my trap jaw queen ant I just caught I hope she can survive in there

[@diogomeneses48]

Idk that one is probably the most risky since cotton and paper go mold quickly like that

[@sebastiangrob4813]

Nordic ants who got the shoutout you said someone wuld get last vid? remember me ? the question? i said isopod eggs

[@nordicants6232]

b-meise yes! I remember. Although i havent found out What it is yet xD

[@sebastiangrob4813]

oh ok ! :D

[@carlb6243]

Fugenmasse? Kommst du aus Deutschland?

[@karbramblestar8807]

Ant Canada senpaii xD

[@nordicants6232]

Lol i removed it! so wierd xD

[@christopherjoshua685]

Nordic Ants Why would you remove it xD

[@nordicants6232]

Such an awkward comment if he sees it xD

[@karbramblestar8807]

Nordic Ants Agreed

[@christopherjoshua685]

Nordic Ants Nah it's not awkward i think he'll like it :3

[@alexhjertsson]

Kan du hjälpa mig att identifiera mina nya drottningar. Det är mina senaste två videos där jag visar dem. Jag är så glad att jag börjar få subs det är inte många men dom växer typ 3 i månaden

[@nordicants6232]

Ants Sweden done :)

[@viralvibinn]

HOW CAN I CONTACT YOU?

[@nordicants6232]

Ants Multinational i have already anwered your previous comments..

[@antopiahk8655]

Do you have Skype nordic ants?

[@nordicants6232]

no, not an ant skype :(

[@antopiahk8655]

Nordic Ants if you have time to talk to me, how can we chat?

[@nordicants6232]

What is it about?

[@antopiahk8655]

Nordic Ants about youtube and stuff, i talked to ants Scandinavia already and I would love if you have some time to talk

[@nordicants6232]

antopia hk i have msg you on discussion in your channel

[@lukaszkubielski5149]

DONT THROW ANT!!!!! ITS VERY BAD FOR THEM.

[@goldenclawgaming9755]

Are u swedish? Cuz u realy sound like a swedish Guy Like IF u agree

[@nordicants6232]

Swedish and french!

[@goldenclawgaming9755]

Cool