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Sugar water in tube


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4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Rozema - Posted August 20 2018 - 10:24 PM

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Hello,

 

Can I give sugar water in a test tube with cotton wool in it? (like you keep a starting colony in)

Or will this attract to many bacteria? 

 

I have Formica fusca and because they are known for their stress and eating their own eggs when stressed, I want to disturb them as little as possible. Opening the lid of the feeding area causes them to run around in panic all the time



#2 Offline drtrmiller - Posted August 20 2018 - 10:47 PM

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You shouldn't keep a colony in a test tube with sugar water as a substitute for plain water.  Some people keep a test tube filled with sugar water in a foraging area alongside their ants, but I would think that it may need to be changed fairly often.




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#3 Offline Rozema - Posted August 20 2018 - 10:54 PM

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No I am keeping it with regular water. The tube with the sugar water is in the foraging area



#4 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted August 21 2018 - 7:43 AM

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It's better to just feed them small amounts of fresh sugary liquid. The tubes are only really useful for large colonies that may drink it quickly.


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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#5 Offline dermy - Posted August 21 2018 - 10:58 AM

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If you have q-tips you can use the ends to put small amounts of sugary liquid on them and wait for it to absorb it. I do this for some of my colonies and it helps prevent drowning. Although for much larger colonies you do need to use a feeder of some-sort because of the amount of ants that are almost constantly drinking from them.






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