5 replies to this topic

[Patorikku]

I am introducing one of my larger Camponotus colonies to a formicarium and was going to use these liquid feeders in the outworks for them. I plan to use a test tube for water, but wanted to use a sugary solution in the actual feeder. What should I use? I have been giving them drops of honey, but should I do a honey water solution instead and if so, what ratio should I use? Or should I use sugar water? And again, if so, what ration should the solution be? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


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[ANTdrew]

Buying byFormica Sunburst is definitely worth it. Ants love it, and it stays fresh far longer than diy solutions.

[Ants_Dakota]

I find ants like sugar water as well. I would just try to dissolve as much sugar into the water as i could.

[Zeiss]

I find ants like sugar water as well. I would just try to dissolve as much sugar into the water as i could.

The best home made recipe for sugar water is in a ratio of 1:3 (sugar:water) by volume.  Adding the most sugar to the water is not the best idea.

 

byFormica Sunburst is definitely very convenient and ants love it.

[Serafine]

Sugar water, Sunburst and diluted maple syrup all work well.

Do not use honey or honey water in gravity-assisted feeders, they experience fermentation processes (particularly when temperatures are high) which leads to (bacterial) gas production that can push the liquid out of the feeder.

Edited by Serafine, September 11 2020 - 12:51 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Sugar water, Sunburst and diluted maple syrup all work well.
Do not use honey or honey water in gravity-assisted feeders, they experience fermentation processes (particularly when temperatures are high) which leads to (bacterial) gas production that can push the liquid out of the feeder.

Most likely yeast causes CO2 as a byproduct of converting sugars to alcohol. Most honey has naturally occuring yeasts in it. I’ve made many open fermented meads this way.