The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

Do you need to remove the heads of insects when feeding the ants, even though the insect is already frozen and can't move? If so, why?

No, why should you? It's not like you could make it any more dead than it already is.

Serafine wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 2:32 pm

No, why should you? It's not like you could make it any more dead than it already is.

Yeah that's what I was thinking lol

If you think you've caught a vampire beetle you might do so - just to be sure

you remove the head so that it is easier for the ants to get to the insides. I also chop another section to make it easier.

idahoantgirl wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:24 pm

you remove the head so that it is easier for the ants to get to the insides. I also chop another section to make it easier.

oh shoot. Well next time I feed them I'll do that lol

idahoantgirl wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:24 pm

you remove the head so that it is easier for the ants to get to the insides. I also chop another section to make it easier.

can you feed them the head though, since it's frozen?

Jadeninja9 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:09 pm

idahoantgirl wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:24 pm

you remove the head so that it is easier for the ants to get to the insides. I also chop another section to make it easier.

can you feed them the head though, since it's frozen?

Does freezing them kill any bacteria on them? Also should you pre crush the feeder insects or food?

idahoantgirl wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:24 pm

you remove the head so that it is easier for the ants to get to the insides. I also chop another section to make it easier.

Yes, cutting them open or squish them a bit is always helpful for young colonies.

Jadeninja9 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:09 pm

can you feed them the head though, since it's frozen?

Yes, I do feed my ants bee larvae and the head is actually one of the parts they're most interested in, probably because the entire brain is basically raw protein.

Idahoantguy wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:04 am

Does freezing them kill any bacteria on them? Also should you pre crush the feeder insects or food?

It probably doesn't kill all of the bacteria but to get rid of them all you would have to disinfect it (which would be very bad for the ants because disinfecting agents are usually quite toxic for them).
Also bacteria aren't a problem, the ants can deal with them. As long as the freezing kills any mites that might be on the food it's fine.