The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

I was wondering what would be a good source of protein for new starting colonies? lets say around 5-8 workers.

Soft-bodied Drosophila flies would be easy for a young colony.

TheRealAntMan wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 08, 2018 5:19 pm

Soft-bodied Drosophila flies would be easy for a young colony.

Do I give it to them Alive or dead. Also I tried springtails and I noticed my pheidole would actually hunt them down and consume em. However some springtails would linger around and disturb the queen which stresses her out.

Best to feed them pre-killed since they are capable of jumping like a springtail (nowhere near as graceful as a springtail though).

You start feeding the colony as soon as the first worker arrives via the drinking straw method. Only move them into a nest when they have 20-50 workers.

i found that most ant colonies love fruit flies and you can by flightless fruit flies at most pet stores tetramorium ants like to hunt them and even at as few as 15 workers they swarm them really well but only if they are moving and they are a good source of protein but they will need other sources like crickets meal worms cockroaches super worms also ant gel does NOT have the necessary protein to keep the brood and queen healthy you can use it but also add in other things my ants will not eat anything that has been dried so i hope you find this information helpful.

TheRealAntMan wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 08, 2018 9:35 pm

Best to feed them pre-killed since they are capable of jumping like a springtail (nowhere near as graceful as a springtail though).

Tell me about it. I have had trouble pre-killing fruit flies since they jump away from my hand.

AntsDakota wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 20, 2018 11:11 am

TheRealAntMan wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 08, 2018 9:35 pm

Best to feed them pre-killed since they are capable of jumping like a springtail (nowhere near as graceful as a springtail though).

Tell me about it. I have had trouble pre-killing fruit flies since they jump away from my hand.

Empty a few into a jar and freeze em.