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What sugars are safe for ants?

Started By Chickalo , Jan 28 2021 7:00 PM

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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Chickalo - Posted January 28 2021 - 7:00 PM

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LocationSalem, Massachusetts

If I get a Prenolepis imparis colony, I'd really like to have pastel coloured repletes (I dunno I just really like pastels), but I don't know what foods and dyes are safe to use, any recommendations?

Nanahira likes this

シグナチャーです。예.

#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted January 28 2021 - 7:14 PM

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LocationAlexandria, VA

Regular food dye is fine.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline gs5248 - Posted January 28 2021 - 8:18 PM

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Yes. For me my rule is, anything you could feed to a very young child, is okay for ants. Though, you should still wash inorganic fruits VERY thoroughly before you feed it to your ants. Believe me. I have lost a quarter of a colony because of feeding them unwashed fruit.

#4 Offline steelplant - Posted January 29 2021 - 12:02 PM

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Some pesticides don't wash off so it's better to peel them or buy organic.

#5 Offline ANTdrew - Posted January 29 2021 - 12:21 PM

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I don’t feed fruits at all except for wild gathered things very infrequently.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#6 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted January 29 2021 - 3:05 PM

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LocationRichmond, Virginia

Anything you wouldn’t mind at or a animal wouldn’t eat is the limit basically.

We don’t talk about that

#7 Offline gs5248 - Posted January 29 2021 - 3:34 PM

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LocationSacramento California

Anything you wouldn’t mind at or a animal wouldn’t eat is the limit basically.

Yes but we can eat inorganic fruits that have small amounts of residual pesticides, while ants might not be able to.

#8 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 29 2021 - 3:40 PM

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Keep in mind organic does not mean no pesticides were used.

Miles likes this

#9 Offline Chickalo - Posted January 29 2021 - 4:07 PM

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LocationSalem, Massachusetts

Yes. For me my rule is, anything you could feed to a very young child, is okay for ants. Though, you should still wash inorganic fruits VERY thoroughly before you feed it to your ants. Believe me. I have lost a quarter of a colony because of feeding them unwashed fruit.

Shall I go to Babies R Us then?

シグナチャーです。예.

#10 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted January 29 2021 - 5:28 PM

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1,254 posts

LocationRichmond, Virginia

Yes. For me my rule is, anything you could feed to a very young child, is okay for ants. Though, you should still wash inorganic fruits VERY thoroughly before you feed it to your ants. Believe me. I have lost a quarter of a colony because of feeding them unwashed fruit.
Shall I go to Babies R Us then?

That could be a possibility lol

We don’t talk about that

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