Going on holiday for 2 or 3 weeks? For food, it’s no big deal: a colony can fast. But for humidity, it’s trickier. Here are the solutions to automate this crucial aspect.
The problem of humidity while away
With no intervention:
- A test tube dries out in 1-3 weeks
- A plaster nest dehydrates in 2-3 weeks
- A Ytong nest lasts 3-4 weeks
- An acrylic nest with wet cotton: 1-2 weeks
For absences longer than a week, plan an autonomous system.
Solution 1: a high-capacity water source
The simplest: increase your water sources by capacity. Place a large pot (50-100 ml) filled with water and capped with cotton wool in the outworld. The ants drink from it as needed, and the water evaporates slowly into the air.
Water reservoir feeder 100ml
A large water reservoir for ants, 3-4 weeks of autonomy while away. Cotton-wick system.
Solution 2: a nest with a large wet chamber
If your nest is Ytong or plaster, enlarge the humidification chamber and fill it with wet sponge to full capacity before you leave. The humidity “buffer” effect can last 3-4 weeks.
Solution 3: an inverted drip bottle
The principle: a bottle filled with water, turned upside down over a cotton wick that hangs into the humidification reservoir. The water only flows by suction, as the cotton dries. Autonomy: 4-6 weeks with a 50 cl bottle.
DIY: use a small pharmacy bottle, drill a hole in the cap, run a 4 mm cotton wick through it.
Set up your system 1 week before leaving and watch the consumption. You’ll be able to adjust the wick, the water volume and the evaporation rate. Never test a new system right as you’re leaving.
Solution 4: an electronic humidifier
For terrariums or tropical colonies (Atta, exotic Camponotus), a programmable ultrasonic humidifier is the professional solution. Cost: £30-80 / $40-100. Connected to a hygrometer, it triggers misting when humidity drops below a threshold.
Ultrasonic terrarium humidifier
A programmable humidifier with built-in hygrometer. Ideal for tropical species and long absences.
Bonus tip: colony sitting
For long absences (more than a month) or very demanding colonies, ask a fellow myrmecologist to look after your colony. A supportive community: forums and clubs make these arrangements easy.
A poorly calibrated automatic system can drown the colony. Too much water = mould, drowned larvae, a dead queen. When in doubt, a modest system that dries out a bit is better than one that floods.
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