Listen to the best ant keeping podcast on the Internet: The Ant Pod!
In this episode of the AntPod, the hosts discuss the practical uses and benefits of VIFs (Vivariums) for ant keeping. The episode features regular hosts Lyn, Jake, and Alex, along with special guest William from the Netherlands, as they share their experiences and tips on using VIFs for maintaining optimal temperature conditions for ant colonies.
Jake begins the discussion by sharing his experience with constructing homemade VIFs, which are essentially insulated wooden boxes with controlled heating. He explains how these setups have helped him maintain his colonies during winter without spending a lot on heating. Jake mentions using a variety of materials, including a plastic tool cabinet and bubble wrap, to enhance insulation and retain heat effectively.
Lyn then talks about her challenges with using VIFs in the Netherlands, particularly the difficulty in finding suitable incubators that aren’t designed for eggs. She discusses her adaptation to using a “dry terrarium”, a wooden structure that effectively functions as a VIF.
The hosts also delve into the technical aspects of heating and controlling temperature within the VIFs. Jake discusses his setup involving flat heat wires connected to cheap thermostats from the internet, emphasizing the importance of probe placement for accurate temperature control. They highlight the differences between using heat wires, heat mats, and heat lamps, with a consensus on the practicality of heat wires for their setups.
Throughout the episode, the hosts exchange tips on how to handle various challenges associated with VIFs, such as dealing with too much heat or cooling down the setups during heatwaves. They suggest practical solutions like using frozen water bottles to moderate the temperature inside the VIF.
The discussion also touches on the terminology confusion between vivariums, terrariums, and paludariums, clarifying their differences based on their setups and the nature of their interiors (such as the presence of dirt or water).
Towards the end, the hosts encourage listeners who are considering exotic ant species to invest in a VIF, as it simplifies the management of temperature-sensitive species and can significantly increase the success rate of ant keeping.
The episode concludes with the hosts inviting listeners to submit questions or topics for future episodes, reinforcing the AntPod’s commitment to educating and engaging with the ant keeping community!
What Is The Ant Pod? 🤔
The Ant Pod is an audio podcast dedicated to the magical hobby of ant keeping! Originating from the creative mind of the extremely popular ant keeper Ant Holleufer (Alexander Holleufer), The Ant Pod has quickly become the most popular podcast of its kind!
In every episode of the podcast, Alexander is joined by a different set of hosts and ant keeping personalities, such as famous YouTubers, TikTokers, ant nests makers, and ant sellers. In a nutshell, everyone with a passion for this amazing hobby!
They get together to talk about everything ant keeping, from the most basic ant facts, to some of the most insightful information you can find out there! Experience what it’s like to own an ant keeping business, to care for exotic and extremely hard-to-keep ant species, or simply to learn something new about the hobby of keeping ants as pets!
So, what are you waiting for?! Give a listen to the most popular ant keeping podcast on the entire World Wide Web, and listen to some extremely interesting conversations you definitely cannot miss!
You’re not just listening to a podcast, you’re becoming part of a community that shares your passion for these fascinating creatures! Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something truly extraordinary!
The Ant Pod Hosts
Ant Holleufer: Youtube, Instagram, TikTok
Ninuturu: Youtube
Real-world impact!
Thanks to the BRUMA Ants Plus subscribers and our partner Ecologi we are planting lots of trees all around the world! Click on the Ecologi logo to see the real-world impact of this amazing community!
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