Box Turtle and Tortoise Discussion :: ants

[Myke]

I put my Russian in an outdoor area during the day. The pen is starting to get ants swarming in to eat the food the tortoise doesn't eat. Will ants bite or bother the tortoise?
Myke

[untsmurf]

I don't see why they wouldn't. Ants aren't really particular when it comes to biting things. Would it be possible to either feed the turt somewhere else, or to pick the food up after the turt is done eating? That way there isn't any food for the ants

[ScrewZoo]

Id suggest those little ant things, the plastic things u put in ur house just put like 4 around the enclosure.

[SpotsMama]

Are you sure the tortoise won't try to eat the ant baits? I might be inclined to put the any baits outside the enclosure and dust the inside with dry instant grits.

(instant grits is a good completely non-toxic ant killer but it works rather slowly. Ant baits are faster.)

[Daniel3507]

i would put them outside the enclosure like spotsmama said. just to be safe

[ScrewZoo]

A russian tortoise is a vegetarian, doesnt touch anything like meats, definitely not plastics, idk tho i would guess not.. just in case hide it in hay in a place where he doesn't burrow. i wouldnt think he would eat them, their a very smart animal.

[Daniel3507]

i would just be nervous about him getting curious and wandering over to it. even if it doesnt get eaten i wouldnt want it around and toxic thing

[ScrewZoo]

i would just be nervous about him getting curious and wandering over to it. even if it doesnt get eaten i wouldnt want it around and toxic thing

Well the traps have the toxins inside a plastic circle thingy, id rather a tortoise stay out of the harm of ants, but maybe you have a point, try putting the traps outside of the enclosure to stop them from getting in.

[Myke]

Thanks for the advice. Weekends are no big deal, because I'm here and take care of picking up the leftover food. But during the week, my daughters take care of him. Will put the ant baits outside the enclosure and see if that works.
Myke