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What should I give my small test tube colony so they can have sugar?

nutrition sugar test tube colony

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11 replies to this topic

#1 Offline AntTitan - Posted May 3 2021 - 11:14 AM

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Hey guys, I have a small Crematogaster colony with my queen, 3 workers, and tons of brood in a test tube setup. I am having a bit of a problem though when it comes to giving them nutrition, I know when it comes to keeping ants their are the three things they need for nutrition, Protein, carbohydrates (usually sugar) and water, but lately I've been having trouble giving them the carbohydrates part. For a long time I was giving them a cut up meal-worm and a drop of honey on aluminum foil that I would put in their test tube. However I've had several workers of this colony die in the past because they drowned in the honey, no matter how small the droplet. Now I have replaced the honey droplet with a small sugar-water soaked cotton ball, the problem now is that after a few days the cotton ball dries out and becomes sticky which and I don't know if the colony can get the sugar they need from the dried up cotton ball.

 

If you guys know any other way I could get them sugar (or other carbohydrates) that would be GREATLY appreciated, Also if you guys could let me know if they can get the sugar from the dried up cotton ball that would also be greatly appreciated.



#2 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted May 3 2021 - 11:39 AM

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Instead of a drop of honey you could try to spread it out on the aluminum.

#3 Offline steelplant - Posted May 3 2021 - 11:58 AM

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You're doing the right thing with sugar water in a tiny cotton ball. It just needs replacing after a few days. I also second kaelwizard's suggestion.
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#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 3 2021 - 3:37 PM

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You should put the tube opened up in a small outworld with a liquid feeder, preferably byFormica. I give my Crematogaster outworlds as soon as they have any workers at all.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 4 2021 - 12:07 PM

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I also usually just use sugar water and I put it on alumium foil, I just don't leave it in the outworld or wherever I put it too long.


Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 4 2021 - 12:09 PM.

Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#6 Offline Chickalo - Posted May 4 2021 - 12:11 PM

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I second what ANTdrew said, you can use small liquid feeders and place them into the outworld (which you should also have, but small and bare to make cleanup easier).  Fill it up with sugar water, providing a safer way to give your ants sugar without them drowning.


Edited by Chickalo, May 4 2021 - 12:11 PM.

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シグナチャーです。예.

 


#7 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 4 2021 - 12:16 PM

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I guess that is better than just putting it on plain aluminium foil.


Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 4 2021 - 12:17 PM.

Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#8 Offline steelplant - Posted May 4 2021 - 11:48 PM

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Can the ants flood the sand with a byformica liquid feeder? One of my umbratus colonies always wicks the sugar water so it floods the sand and turns into a sticky mouldering mess. My sugar feeders aren't byformica.

#9 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 5 2021 - 3:13 AM

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Unfortunately, they can. That usually means it is too close to their nest, though.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#10 Offline steelplant - Posted May 5 2021 - 1:59 PM

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Thanks antdrew. I'll try rejigging the layout.

#11 Offline steelplant - Posted May 16 2021 - 1:24 PM

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Antdrew, just wanted to say thanks for the suggestion to move the sugar water further away from the nest entrance. Since i moved it there's been no problem at all. They aren't even putting any sand on it at all. Much happier ants thanks!

#12 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 16 2021 - 5:04 PM

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Antdrew, just wanted to say thanks for the suggestion to move the sugar water further away from the nest entrance. Since i moved it there's been no problem at all. They aren't even putting any sand on it at all. Much happier ants thanks!

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





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