Feeding queens early on.

Posts and questions relating to ant diet & nutrition. Let us know what you’re feeding your ants.

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EdgarFromLatvia

Feeding queens early on.

Post: # 10352Post EdgarFromLatvia
Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:42 am

Can you feed and what to feed to ant queens early on?

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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Feeding queens early on.

Post: # 10353Post Batspiderfish
Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:48 am

Giving fully-claustral queens a *tiny* speck of honey after they have larger larvae is acceptable. Otherwise, do not feed them. It's more harm than good.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

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

Re: Feeding queens early on.

Post: # 10362Post idahoantgirl
Thu Aug 25, 2016 11:55 am

I agree. They do not need food at all during the founding stage until she has workers. In the wild, the queens live in their little chambers and don't eat anything until then. they feed themselves and their larva with the muscles on their back.
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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