If your captive ant setup is soil based, or is able to incorporate soil, you may want to consider adding some small plants to your setup. Many of my setups now include mosses and other 'weeds' which I've taken from soil near to where nests would be found. Other times, I've sown grass and tomato seeds.
Besides adding to the aesthetics and providing a more visually natural setup, benefits of having plants include providing an environment for other insects to sustain themselves on which the ants can then feed, such as aphids.
If you select mosses, these can be watered directly so watering does not disturb the ants and collapse their tunnels and the moss will soak up surplus water.
If the leaves and petals are turning brown and dropping off established plants, this is a good early warning sign that the setup is often too dry.
Tags: Keeping Ants
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