What and When should I feed my colony?

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Masterspiro
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:22 pm
Location: baulkham hills

What and When should I feed my colony?

Post: # 51207Post Masterspiro
Fri Sep 21, 2018 8:23 pm

I recently got a iridomyrmex so. (biknelli i think) and it finally has brood... just wondering when I should start feeding it and in what intervals?

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idahoantgirl
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:52 am
Location: Idaho, USA

Re: What and When should I feed my colony?

Post: # 51227Post idahoantgirl
Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:40 am

When the first worker arrives provide them with an outworld via the drinking straw method. Don't worry if they don't forage right away. It will take some time. As far as how much, you just kind of eyeball it. Give them a drop of something sweet in the outworld, and when it dries out, give them another. Give them a fruit fly, and when they have finished it, see if they need another. But yeah they don't need fed until they get workers.
Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile

Masterspiro
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:22 pm
Location: baulkham hills

Re: What and When should I feed my colony?

Post: # 51563Post Masterspiro
Fri Sep 28, 2018 2:30 am

Adult worker?

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idahoantgirl
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:52 am
Location: Idaho, USA

Re: What and When should I feed my colony?

Post: # 51568Post idahoantgirl
Fri Sep 28, 2018 9:39 am

Yes.
Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile

PwnerPie
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:59 pm
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: What and When should I feed my colony?

Post: # 51622Post PwnerPie
Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:00 pm

im a fan of giving the queen a small big of honey and protein when larva shows up so shes feels comfortable feeding the larva more. Up to you tho!
Keeper of:
1x Formica Pacifica
2x Camponotus Modoc
1x Tetramorium Immigrans
2x Lasius Sp

Founding:
3x Lasius Sp
2x Formica Argentea
2x Myrmica Rubra

GAN Farmer: 4 Colonies sold
Goal: Supply school science classes with colonies for learning.

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idahoantgirl
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:52 am
Location: Idaho, USA

Re: What and When should I feed my colony?

Post: # 51639Post idahoantgirl
Sun Sep 30, 2018 2:31 pm

The reason most people don't feed their queens before workers is because it is unnecessary, stressful for the queen, messy, and contributes to mold outbreaks
Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile

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