13 replies to this topic

[TheAntGuy]

Not sure if it has been done before or not, but I think it would be convenient if we could have 1 thread where everyone lists seeds they have seen success with when feeding granivorous ants. I have a small mix of seeds I have been collecting, but am wondering what to get next for the mix. If anyone wants to share theirs that would be greatly appreciated!

My current mix consists of:
Nyjer seeds, safflower (they were on sale), chia seeds, ryegrass seeds, bluegrass seeds.

Edited by Theantguy14, August 25 2020 - 6:59 AM.

[TechAnt]

I mean the Food Preferred by Species thread exists, you should go check it out but I guess we could do this.

Not Pogomyrmex but these are Omni granivorus:
Pheidole californica
Flax Seeds
Chia Seeds
Black Caraway Seeds
Mustard Seeds

[AntsDakota]

 ryegrass seeds, bluegrass seeds.

These are mine's main diet.

[TheAntGuy]

How well are the flax seeds received, I've been meaning to see about getting those

[TheAntGuy]

Just ordered some off walmart, I will add them to my mix when they arrive

[TechAnt]

How well are the flax seeds received, I've been meaning to see about getting those

They love their Flax, but majors usually are needed to process it for my colony.

[TheAntGuy]

Mk good to know

[TheAntGuy]

Got the flax, but neither my P. Californicus, nor the Veromessor pergandei seem to care. The Pogonomyrmex do seem very interested in millet seeds, so i took some out of some bird seed and added it to my mix.

[OhNoNotAgain]

(Organic where possible)

 

Fresh dandelion seed

Amaranth

Quinoa 

bluegrass

 

Poppy

Hemp hearts

Chia

Ground flax seed

 

Oh, and to really get Veromessor pergandei excited and busy, pop in a couple small, very fresh, unshelled sunflower seeds. Keeps bored ants entertained for hours.

 

And more for the sugar, but also possibly the seeds: bit of fresh fig pulp.

 

I got Drew's seed mix as well as THA's bluegrass and dandelion seed mixes as those have been proven safe; the other seeds were from Whole Foods.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, August 23 2020 - 1:37 PM.

[DDD101DDD]

Mine were fond of shelled hemp seeds, almonds(I just gave them slices and they cut the almond slices up into smaller pieces), oatmeal, and dandelion seeds. They didn't like chia seeds.

Edited by DDD101DDD, August 23 2020 - 1:38 PM.

[TheAntGuy]

I want to get some acorns from around my house and get the inner portion out and crush it a bit for them and see how they like that.
I wish my area didn't just get sprayed for mosquitoes, I could get so many dandelion seeds lol

[TheAntGuy]

Just got some poppy, mustard, fennel, and corriander seeds from the store, all organic. Hopefully my now 6 different harvester species will enjoy lol.

[TheAntGuy]

The Pogonomyrmex subnitidus colony I got yesterday loves those new seeds. The workers were out and even the queens were out foraging last night. They seem to like the fennel, mustard, chia, poppy, grasses, and flax seeds. I am also going to make another reply with each individual species' likes, as well as the current mix. I will keep this updated.

Edited by Theantguy14, August 25 2020 - 7:40 AM.

[TheAntGuy]

Current mix: (8/25/2020)

Chia (Baking?)

Fennel (Baking)

Poppy (Baking)

Niger/Nyjer/Thistle (Birdseed)

Corriander (Baking)

Mustard (Baking)

Safflower (birdseed)

Kentucky bluegrass (no coatings) (Lawncare)

Ryegrass (no coatings) (Lawncare)

Millet (Birdseed)

 

The seeds are marked with where you could potentially find them in a grocery store/supermarket. I put (no coatings) if you need to watch out for added chemical coatings when picking them out.

 

This is the current likes of each of my harvesters:

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus

-Fennel, mustard, poppy, chia, flax, bluegrass

Pogonomyrmex californicus

-Millet, bluegrass

Veromessor pergandei

Can't tell

Veromessor andrei

Queen is founding

Pogonomyrmex rugosus

Queens are founding

Novomessor cockerelli

Queens are founding