Ytong vs Acrylic - Which Is Better For An Ant Nest?
Bruma 6 min read
In short
Neither Ytong nor acrylic wins outright; the choice depends on your ant species. Ytong is cheap, easy to DIY and holds humidity well but is fragile and can be chewed through, while acrylic is durable, easy to clean and escape-proof for tiny species but dries out fast and risks mold.
Ytong nest? Acrylic nest? Which is the better option? Which one should I buy for my ant colony?
In this article, we’re going to talk about two of the most popular types of ant nests, aiming to understand the differences and similarities between them, and find out which one is the better option for your specific ant species!
Let’s get right into it!
Introduction
When it comes to choosing the right nest for your ants, there are a few key factors to consider. The most important one, as you can imagine, is the species that you want to house.
Every species of ant has its own unique characteristics, such as distinctive behaviors, physical traits, and of course, the type of environment they prefer to live in.
Two of the most popular nest alternatives are Ytong and acrylic nests. But what are the differences? Which is better? To find the answer to these important questions, we first need to describe the two nest types.
Let’s start with the first type!
Ytong Nests
First, let's take a closer look at Ytong nests.
Ytong is a particular type of aerated concrete, usually used in construction. The lightweight material is very popular in ant keeping for its moisture-retention properties, which makes it ideal for the majority of humidity-loving ant species.
This material is highly porous, allowing air to easily travel through the nest itself. This key aspect helps regulate the internal temperature and humidity, and also helps to reduce the chance of mold outbreaks.
One of the biggest advantages of Ytong nests is that they are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of ant nests. In fact, if you enjoy D.I.Y. projects and want to build one yourself, the cost is almost negligible! You can easily find a medium-sized Ytong block for less than $5! That’s a steal!
For this reason, many ant keepers like to build their own nests, saving a lot of money in the process. Ytong is extremely easy to work with, and building a Ytong nest from scratch is not that hard.
If you are interested in the idea, I would suggest you check out my tutorial on how to make a Ytong nest! In this one, I explain in detail how to make it starting from a single block, using tools you already have at home!
However, there are also some drawbacks to Ytong nests. One of the biggest disadvantages of these nests is that they can be very fragile. Due to their structure, and because the material is highly porous, it’s very easy to break or damage.
Another downside of Ytong nests is that they can be easily excavated. Many species of ants can chew through this material without any problem, and if not taken into account, it can become a serious issue!
For example, the major workers of the species from the Messor genus can use their large mandibles to break down the soft material, creating actual tunnels in the Ytong block! This can lead to massive escapes, which is certainly something we don’t want!
Now let’s move to the other option!
Acrylic Nests
This type of nest is completely different from the previous one. These nests are usually made of a clear, transparent plastic material that allows you to easily see inside the nest, facilitating the view of your ants.
They are typically built in a series of layers, placed one above the other to create the structure of the chambers. These nests are very easy to find online, and almost every online shop dedicated to ant keeping has its own line of acrylic nests!
If you aren't on a tight budget and don't mind the idea of spending some money on this very cool hobby, I would suggest you check out my guide on where to find ant farms for sale! In this article, I list the best places to find them online!
Acrylic is an extremely durable material and can withstand the wear and tear of regular use without any issue. For this reason, acrylic nests usually last much longer compared to the more fragile Ytong nests.
They are also less likely to break if handled roughly or dropped on the floor or desk, which would likely completely destroy a nest made of Ytong.
Acrylic nests are also much easier to clean and maintain, making them a good choice for beginner ant keepers. Just remove the screws, wash the pieces with water, dry them, reassemble them, and the job is done! It’s as good as new!
However, there are also some disadvantages to using these types of nests. Acrylic nests are made with an impermeable material, which is the exact opposite of what we have in Ytong nests. This material prevents the air from traveling in and out of the nest, creating zones with stagnant air inside the chambers.
This characteristic significantly increases the chances of mold outbreaks inside the nest, which can threaten the well-being of your little friends!
Another con of acrylic nests is their poor humidity retention properties. These nests usually dry out extremely fast, and the humidity completely disappears not long after you hydrate them. This creates a harmful environment for your ants, and in some cases, it can cause a complete die-out of your colony!
On the plus side, thanks to their unique structural design, acrylic nests are practically escape-proof! For this reason, they are the perfect choice if you need to house very small species of ants, such as Pheidole or Solenopsis.
If you like these types of transparent acrylic nests, you will definitely enjoy this ant keeping product! This is an acrylic ant nest made by Anthouse, a very popular ant keeping company based in Spain!
Comparison Table
Here’s a quick side-by-side summary of the two nest types:
| Feature | Ytong nest | Acrylic nest |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Porous aerated concrete | Clear, impermeable plastic layers |
| Price | Very cheap (block under $5) | For bigger budgets |
| Humidity retention | Retains moisture well | Poor, dries out fast |
| Airflow and mold | Good airflow, less mold | Stagnant air, more mold risk |
| Durability | Fragile, easy to break | Extremely durable |
| Escape-proofing | Many species chew through | Practically escape-proof |
| How to get one | Easy DIY build | Almost every ant shop |
| Best for | Humidity-loving species, DIY fans | Tiny species like Pheidole, Solenopsis |
So, What's The Best Option?
They are both extremely valid options when it comes to housing your colonies! Like everything in our world, they have their unique advantages and disadvantages, and the final decision must take all of them into account.
Ultimately, the best nest for your specific case will depend on your situation, your needs, and the species of ant that you want to house.
I hope you liked this quick guide, and I really hope it helped you better understand the differences between these two very distinct types of ant nests!
If you are new to this fantastic hobby called ant keeping, you should definitely check out my tutorial on how to start ant keeping with less than $1! In this one, I explain in detail how to get started with as little as $1! That’s a steal!
FAQs
5Ytong nests are made of Ytong, a particular type of aerated concrete usually used in construction. The lightweight material is very porous and known for its moisture-retention properties, which is why it's popular in ant keeping. A medium-sized Ytong block costs less than $5, so building your own nest is cheap.
Acrylic nests are extremely durable, easy to clean, and made of clear, transparent plastic that lets you see inside the nest. They are also less likely to break if dropped, and cleaning is simple: remove the screws, wash the pieces with water, dry them and reassemble them. Acrylic nests are practically escape-proof, too.
Yes, many species of ants can chew through Ytong, because the material is soft and highly porous. For example, the major workers of the Messor genus use their large mandibles to create actual tunnels in the Ytong block, which can lead to massive escapes. Take this into account before choosing Ytong for such a species.
Ytong nests are generally better for humidity-loving ant species, because the material's moisture-retention properties make it ideal for the majority of them. Being highly porous, Ytong also lets air travel through the nest, which helps regulate temperature and humidity and reduces mold. Acrylic dries out extremely fast, so it suits these species less.
Yes, acrylic nests are suitable for small ant species. Thanks to their structural design they are practically escape-proof, which makes them the perfect choice for very small species like Pheidole or Solenopsis. Just watch the humidity, because acrylic dries out fast, and the impermeable material can create stagnant air and raise the mold risk.
Author
Bruma
