Ant problem in outdoor enclosure

BigTomsMom

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Wondering if anyone has a solution for ants. I don’t use spray or poison in my red foot enclosure but we do poison ants in our yard. It seems they all run to the red foot enclosure for safety bc they know they will be safe there. I guess my question is are ants harmful to tortoises? And what do you guys do in your enclosures?
 

jacksknight

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Wondering if anyone has a solution for ants. I don’t use spray or poison in my red foot enclosure but we do poison ants in our yard. It seems they all run to the red foot enclosure for safety bc they know they will be safe there. I guess my question is are ants harmful to tortoises? And what do you guys do in your enclosures?


We have the same thing, from time to time they build a nest. It has never been an issue really but it probably depends on the ant type. Try not to leave old food that may attract them. Sometimes i see them munching on some bell pepper, but the torts just eat them with it lol... Extra free protein!!
 

Relic

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I think fire ants are most likely to be a problem as far as tortoise safety - they are more vicious than the typical IRS agent. As much as I try to avoid poison (and I have seen some threads here favoring corn grits recently) I generally use Ortho Orthene (a white powder) sprinkled lightly on the nest, and then covered with an upside down bucket to keep the torts away. I still worry a bit about a hard rain washing under the bucket and moving the poison out into the open, but this time of year there is precious little rain...

Also, how long is it active once spread? From one web site that studied a bunch of poisons, Orthene has a "soil mobility" and "environmental persistence of: Half-life of active or toxic ingredients = 8 - 29 days. So it probably needs to stay covered and protected from tortoise contact for at least a month. Grits - assuming they work as advertised - might be the better route.

Here's a link to the study: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...products.pdf&usg=AOvVaw21-beUghWloJS_UGeFBZFT
 

BigTomsMom

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Opelousas louisiana
I think fire ants are most likely to be a problem as far as tortoise safety - they are more vicious than the typical IRS agent. As much as I try to avoid poison (and I have seen some threads here favoring corn grits recently) I generally use Ortho Orthene (a white powder) sprinkled lightly on the nest, and then covered with an upside down bucket to keep the torts away. I still worry a bit about a hard rain washing under the bucket and moving the poison out into the open, but this time of year there is precious little rain...

Also, how long is it active once spread? From one web site that studied a bunch of poisons, Orthene has a "soil mobility" and "environmental persistence of: Half-life of active or toxic ingredients = 8 - 29 days. So it probably needs to stay covered and protected from tortoise contact for at least a month. Grits - assuming they work as advertised - might be the better route.

Here's a link to the study: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&ved=2ahUKEwjS-ab48KDkAhVShuAKHTBLAuUQFjAUegQIGBAC&url=https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/growgreen/products.pdf&usg=AOvVaw21-beUghWloJS_UGeFBZFT
Thank you! Much appreciated
 

Redstrike

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If they aren’t fire ants, probably won’t bother the tortoises.

Diatomaceous earth is another alternative. It lacerates their exoskeleton and they eventually dry out. Could be tricky to use outside with rain, I’m unsure if it’s efficacy in an outdoor setting.
 

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