Anthill Dirt Reviewed
Aug 19, 2007 0:23:14 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2007 0:23:14 GMT -5
This is a comment that I had made on another forum awhile ago on this "wax dirt" topic in reference to using anthill soil for trap covering for those of you who may be interested:
"The consistency and composition of any anthill material is highly variable, and it's given characteristics depend upon the soil types from which it is derived. Some deposits are more desirable than others as a "dry dirt" trap cover ingredient. In my area, you can cross a forty from one anthill to another and find night and day differences in the texture of the deposits depending upon the soil they are in. From my experience, that from the clay loams have more utility than material from the sandier soil types - basically too fine in nature to mix with other materials.
With the variety of ant species that construct visible mounds, or anthills, consideration should be given to the timing of collection where you live. A few species are extremely aggressive if their home is disturbed while active, and can find you and bite in a serious manner - a major concern if you are allergic to insect stings, or bites. In the northern zone where I live, I collect soil after the cold settles in enough to force the ants well underground for the winter.
The merits of the natural "wax" component and it's efficacy as a waterproof trap cover depend upon the region of the country you are trapping in. It can withstand and hold up to moderate freeze/thaw conditions that occur occasionally in temperate zones, but will generally not suffice or perform on it's own in colder, extreme climes.
Anthill dry dirt alone, in most cases, is not a substitute for the more contemporary formulated or manufactured "waxed dirt" incarnations that have stand alone characteristics. However, I have found that dry anthill dirt is an excellent ingredient when mixed with peat moss as an intermediate bedding and trap cover, with a sifting of straight anthill dirt to top off the set.
It all depends on your trapping conditions. Anthill dirt, alone, or in combination, may just be the most miserable stuff to work with that you may have ever tried. And, conversely, it might just put you closer to trapper heaven. You have to answer your own questions on this (because more often than not, someone else's absolute answer will not fit the bill where you trap.)Trial, error, experimentation and experience will evolve the best dry dirt trap cover for your area.
Be objective, keep an open mind, digest opinions from others - using that as your benchmark for mixing up your own stuff that works best for you."
Regards,
Jonathan
"The consistency and composition of any anthill material is highly variable, and it's given characteristics depend upon the soil types from which it is derived. Some deposits are more desirable than others as a "dry dirt" trap cover ingredient. In my area, you can cross a forty from one anthill to another and find night and day differences in the texture of the deposits depending upon the soil they are in. From my experience, that from the clay loams have more utility than material from the sandier soil types - basically too fine in nature to mix with other materials.
With the variety of ant species that construct visible mounds, or anthills, consideration should be given to the timing of collection where you live. A few species are extremely aggressive if their home is disturbed while active, and can find you and bite in a serious manner - a major concern if you are allergic to insect stings, or bites. In the northern zone where I live, I collect soil after the cold settles in enough to force the ants well underground for the winter.
The merits of the natural "wax" component and it's efficacy as a waterproof trap cover depend upon the region of the country you are trapping in. It can withstand and hold up to moderate freeze/thaw conditions that occur occasionally in temperate zones, but will generally not suffice or perform on it's own in colder, extreme climes.
Anthill dry dirt alone, in most cases, is not a substitute for the more contemporary formulated or manufactured "waxed dirt" incarnations that have stand alone characteristics. However, I have found that dry anthill dirt is an excellent ingredient when mixed with peat moss as an intermediate bedding and trap cover, with a sifting of straight anthill dirt to top off the set.
It all depends on your trapping conditions. Anthill dirt, alone, or in combination, may just be the most miserable stuff to work with that you may have ever tried. And, conversely, it might just put you closer to trapper heaven. You have to answer your own questions on this (because more often than not, someone else's absolute answer will not fit the bill where you trap.)Trial, error, experimentation and experience will evolve the best dry dirt trap cover for your area.
Be objective, keep an open mind, digest opinions from others - using that as your benchmark for mixing up your own stuff that works best for you."
Regards,
Jonathan