7 replies to this topic

[Jannik]

I whas wondering if i could just feed my upcomming ants just fruit? I can not keep ants AND feeding insects.

[Kevin]

Ants need protien to survive. You can buy a cup of mealworms or crickets to feed for a few bucks with no care needed.

[ultraex2]

Yep, protein is a requirement - you might be able to get away with meats if they like it, but otherwise you will need to get insects.

[Cameron C. Thomas]

Here is a topic started by user Crystals on preferred food by species:

 

http://www.formicult...ood-by-species/

 

And a topic on handy links for ant keeping, including guides for beginners, started by the same user:

 

http://www.formicult...of-handy-links/

 

And an entire subforum dedicated to ant care sheets by species:

 

http://www.formicult...nt-care-sheets/

 

Best of luck with your ants!

Edited by Cameron C. Thomas, June 21 2017 - 11:52 AM.

[Jannik]

Thx everyone! It really helpt! But i am not sure i can even keep those feeder insects my mom and dad are not so happy with the fact i am starting an ant colonie in their house... so if you got some other suggestions?

Edited by Jannik, June 21 2017 - 8:25 PM.

[Hikari]

If you can't keep live insects, you could always try freezing them. I've heard of people buying crickets, freezing them, then you just thaw one out when you need it and feed the ants. Keep them in a ziploc bag and wrap that in a plastic shopping bag if you have to, to make it seem less icky (I do this with my snake's frozen mice, but my dad's pretty chill about it regardless). Mealworms can also be kept in a refrigerator for several months while live, usually kept in a very small, inconspicuous container you could just tuck somewhere out of the way. Granted, your mileage may vary depending on how strict your parents are.

[Serafine]

[Tmhernandez77]

My wife is also not too keen on having other sorts of live insects.  She barely tolerates the ants to be honest.  A couple suggestions that can help, but please understand that insects are by far the best foods.

 

1. Honeydew Surrogate, easy to make, and can work to some extent, though protein should be supplemented

2. Fish food, I have several colonies that love Tetra flakes, these are high in protein, but again, I supplement with insects

3. Small pieces of meat/dog food.  Most species will not accept these types of food

4. Catch insects outside as needed.  Freeze, feed.  I was doing this for a while, but it is quite laborious.  I finally just bought a flightless fruit fly colony that I keep on my patio.

 

These can all help, but at the end of the day, ants need some sort of high quality protein to stay healthy, and they have evolved millions of years eating other insects.  It's best to try and find a way to feed them what they are accustomed to.