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What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 4:23 pm
by Killereria
Hey everyone! I’m new on the forum but one thing that i’m super excited about is there’s this ant colony right t my stand at work. I don’t know what they are but they have been big on the potato chips i gave them this morning.
What kind of foods to ants generally prefer? I saw them drag a moth into the nest earlier but thought they might like a sweet/salty treat. I left a bit of a sugar cookie for them along with a small crushed potato chip.
What else would they appreciate?
I’m stoled for these new work buddies!
Re: What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:30 pm
by idahoantgirl
Ants need two types of foods, Protein and Sugar. Protein is used to feed the brood and the queen, and sugar is consumed by the workers.
As far as preferences, it just depends on the species and individual colony.
Re: What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 4:45 pm
by abaek2020
idahoantgirl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:30 pm
Ants need two types of foods, Protein and Sugar. Protein is used to feed the brood and the queen, and sugar is consumed by the workers.
As far as preferences, it just depends on the species and individual colony.
Also, you need to have a water source like a test tube for ants to drink out of. Try out different types of food like crickets, mealworms etc. and see what your colony likes.
Re: What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 3:34 pm
by Diamondking
Honey is usually a favorite. Just be careful to not add too much, because then the workers might drown in it. Use that as a source of sugar and mealworms, crickets and other feeder incects as protein
Re: What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:41 am
by JoeHostile1
Haha you’re feeding wild ants. Love it.
Re: What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 4:23 pm
by Fayestone
Hiya, my Lasius have enjoyed one of those jelly pots (smells like treacle) and honey so far. I’ve brought a pot of wax worms for them to try, and I’m going to get some mealworms.
What about frozen fish food? I feel a bit strange feeding ant some crickets, as I’m rather fond of them.
Also, any reccomendation on how to pre-kill feeder insects to minimise “pain”? I’ve thought about dropping boiling water on them, then freezing any leftovers.
Re: What food is favored among ants?
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 4:35 pm
by JoeHostile1
Fayestone wrote: ↑Fri Sep 07, 2018 4:23 pm
Also, any reccomendation on how to pre-kill feeder insects to minimise “pain”? I’ve thought about dropping boiling water on them, then freezing any leftovers.
Freeze them.