8 replies to this topic

[CozmoDog]

Hey guys I have a couple of questions regarding insect gathering as feeders, basicly my 4 Camponotus sanctus queens are close to getting their nanitics and so I was thinking of gathering some insects. There is a big park tha I run with my dog at and usually I see some small spiders and some black scarabs along with some crickets and other bugs, would these make for good feeders if so How do I prepare them to make sure they are free of mites? Also there is no fear of pesticide.

[Rattus]

I'd suggest to stay away from spiders, but other than that 24h in the freezer should do the thing.

Look here: http://www.formicult...ects#entry59048

[CozmoDog]

Why not spiders if I may ask? I see some journals where people feed them to their ants and they quite like them

[BMM]

For what it's worth, I've had some luck using small spiders as food. I usually freeze them for a little while first to make sure they're dead along with anything that might have tagged along.

[Serafine]

My Camponotus barbaricus LOVE dead spiders, if there's a spider lying around they don't bother with ANYTHING else I offer them.
I usually keep them in the freezer for a few hours (or a few days) and never had any issues so far.

Edited by Serafine, June 21 2017 - 12:47 PM.

[CozmoDog]

Yeah I saw your journals and your colony seems really successful munching on those spiders, that's why I was curious. Well tomorrow when I take my dog for her run I'll try catching a couple of insects for when the nanitics arrive.

[Rattus]

Why not spiders if I may ask? I see some journals where people feed them to their ants and they quite like them

Correct me if I am wrong. With the use of spiders, I believe, there is a higher chance/risk to get both unwanted pests like mites and/or diseases.

[CozmoDog]

Why not spiders if I may ask? I see some journals where people feed them to their ants and they quite like them

Correct me if I am wrong. With the use of spiders, I believe, there is a higher chance/risk to get both unwanted pests like mites and/or diseases.

I think that if you freeze them for a good while and or boil them they would be the same as any other insect.

[MegaMyrmex]

Termites work(aphaenogaster, tetramorium, etc.) work with almost any ant, I believe. You could also try fruit flies since both of these come in rather small "serving size." Unfortunately, I don't know if many people would take these wood-eaters into their homes, but since camponotus is a wood-dwelling species, I believe that they would jump for the chance.