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wood ants won't eat
Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:04 am
by alexjames
I have a small formica rufa colony or wood ants, they have about 8 workers and 1 queen. I have been feeding them honey, mealworms and crickets but the won't eat it and they barely come out of their test tubes. does any one else have any other suggestions.
Re: wood ants won't eat
Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:05 pm
by idahoantgirl
alexjames wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:04 am
I have a small formica rufa colony or wood ants, they have about 8 workers and 1 queen. I have been feeding them honey, mealworms and crickets but the won't eat it and they barely come out of their test tubes. does any one else have any other suggestions.
if they don't eat, they are not hungry. They aren't going to be too picky. Young colonies go through phases of not eating much.
Re: wood ants won't eat
Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:52 pm
by Jadeninja9
idahoantgirl wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:05 pm
alexjames wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:04 am
I have a small formica rufa colony or wood ants, they have about 8 workers and 1 queen. I have been feeding them honey, mealworms and crickets but the won't eat it and they barely come out of their test tubes. does any one else have any other suggestions.
if they don't eat, they are not hungry. They aren't going to be too picky. Young colonies go through phases of not eating much.
wouldn't it be because they would be hibernating in the wild at this time, thus not having an urge to eat right now.
Re: wood ants won't eat
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:18 am
by idahoantgirl
Jadeninja9 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:52 pm
idahoantgirl wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:05 pm
alexjames wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:04 am
I have a small formica rufa colony or wood ants, they have about 8 workers and 1 queen. I have been feeding them honey, mealworms and crickets but the won't eat it and they barely come out of their test tubes. does any one else have any other suggestions.
if they don't eat, they are not hungry. They aren't going to be too picky. Young colonies go through phases of not eating much.
wouldn't it be because they would be hibernating in the wild at this time, thus not having an urge to eat right now.
Yes that is likely. Are you hibernating them? If they are supposed to hibernate then you should hibernate them. A cold garage, cold room, crawspace, fridge (if u make the fridge warmer than usual) will all work.
Re: wood ants won't eat
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:39 am
by Batspiderfish
Formica rufa is not found in North America -- I would try to get the ants ID'd. Regardless, the ants should have been in hibernation a while ago, and that is probably why they are not eating.
Re: wood ants won't eat
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 5:31 pm
by alexjames
thanks for all the help every one I will do my best to find a spot to hibernate them.