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How to Build Ant Terrariums

An ant terrarium is a glass-enclosed container that houses ants. It's used for instructive purposes to demonstrate and simulate how ants create underground shelters when they burrow into the earth. Terrariums are typically constructed with shallow walls so that ant structures can be readily viewed from the outside. Clear glass or Plexiglas is used to make up the exterior walls, and a stand made of wood, plastic or other sturdy material is used to keep the terrarium standing in a vertical position.

Things You'll Need

1-inch plywood base & top, 2 pieces,17 x 6 inches
1 1/2-inch thick wood frame, 17 x 6 inches
1-inch flat-head nails
Hammer
Clear epoxy glue or silicone sealer
Glass or Plexiglas, 2 sheets, 14 x 20 inches
Glass or Plexiglas, 2 sheets, 4.5 x 20 in inches
Dirt
Ants

Instructions

- 1
  Put the 1-inch plywood onto a workbench or other suitably flat, clean work area. Set the wooden frame on top of it so that all the edges line up. Start at one end and using the hammer, nail the two pieces together. Hammer in a nail approximately every two inches. Make sure to keep edges straight as you work around to all sides.
- 2
  Using the tube of clear epoxy glue, apply a thin line of glue around the inside of the box frame to create a seal. Allow about 12 hours to dry, or follow package recommendations.
- 3
  Apply a thin line of epoxy glue on the wooden frame bottom along one of the long sides.
- 4
  Insert one edge of one of the 14 x 20-inch pieces of glass or Plexiglas sheet into the wooden frame. Situate it so that it sits on top of the glue and touches the frame edge. Hold it in place for a few minutes to set the glue.
- 5
  Use the epoxy glue along the three other edges and insert the glass pieces in the same manner. Additionally spread a thin line of glue along each edge where glass meets glass. This will create a good seal for the contents of the terrarium. Allow the entire unit to dry for about 24 hours.
- 6
  Fill the terrarium to within a few inches from the top of the glass with dirt mixed with ants from a nearby colony. Place the plywood cover over the top of the glass and watch from the sides as the ants tunnel through the dirt.

Insects & Science