Should I be feeding newly hatched workers?

[BuckeyeAntLover]

Hello all-
I have 2 camponotus Queens caught this spring, 1 has over 10 workers with more hatching soon, the other with 4 workers and more hatching soon. I also have a Formica Queen caught last fall that had 5 workers before winter and now close to 15 workers and lots of eggs. I have fed all the colonies a few times, but food is not always eaten. I've done mealworms and small crickets. Also honey which the carpenter ants seem to enjoy. Should I be giving them the protein now, and if so, how often and how much? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!!


Jeff

[cheetawolf]

wait for around 1 week, then feed them something small, like a cricket leg and a very small drop of honey

[PwnerPie]

Feed them! Fat ants are happy ants. If you feed them honey, you can leave it in there a long time without it molding. Generally my ants can take a few days-a week to finish a big drop of honey. As far as protien, give it a shot, they need protien to feed the larva to make them big. If you put protien in there and they 100% ignore it, they are either not hungry, scared of it, or are being picky. Best to over feed and have to clean more than underfeed