9 replies to this topic

[UtahAnts]

I found an extremely easy way to create a mini liquid feeder that costs 20 to 30 cents apiece. I use these tiny jars from the dollar store, 4 or 5 a pack, each pack is a dollar. You can also get them online here. Each feeder setup is not only cheap but really easy to set up:

 

After washing and soaking each jar, cut out a piece of material that can wick up the liquid. I use paper towels, but I'm sure there are other materials you could find. Fill up the jar with anything that is mostly liquid (not syrup or honey-like in consistency). After cutting the appropriate size of material and filling up the jars, lay the wick material on the cap/lid so that when you screw it onto the jar, only the material's edges are exposed over the rim of the lid. Keep the jar upside down and let capillary action do the rest. if you find not enough liquid or too much liquid is moving through the wick material, tighten or loosen the cap accordingly. 

 

These feeders are super easy to make and setup, and I hope this helped someone out there who, like me, wanted a cheaper alternative to the classic liquid feeder. 

 

(Sorry about the odd angle)

 IMG-3642.jpg   221.9KB   0 downloads

 

 IMG-3645.jpg   200.93KB   0 downloads

[JCRHJM]

Is that paper towel for the material?

[ANTdrew]

Genius

[UtahAnts]

Is that paper towel for the material?

 

Yes, I believe about 2 inches in diameter is the best size when cutting the material.

[PaigeX]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I've been looking for a cost effective way to give them sugar water without having to pay big money for lots of 3D liquid feeders.

[azzaaazzzz00]

This is awsome, my ants loved it and it worked perfectly, you are an absolute genius.

[ANTdrew]

He kind of is a genius.

[azzaaazzzz00]

yea, big brain

[Lazarus]

The idea to have a wicking source is not new and in fact Crystal, a member here, posted a Youtube video years ago on not only this 'wick' method, but also using a fine mesh.

 

You can see the video showing both solutions here: https://www.youtube....h?v=dxDUf7F16Pg

 

I've actually had mixed results with both methods. When using the wick method, the wick will sometimes dries out at the top. When using the mesh, I find that even using a very fine 100 micro mesh it would sometimes still spill out in a quick burst.

 

One thing I have not tried is to invert the container as you have done with the wick. My thought was raise it just a bit so that the ants can get to it from  under, not just the the bottom as you have done. I hope the wick will not dry out that way. But my trying this will have to wait for next year as my girls are all in refrigerated diapause for this season.

Edited by Lazarus, November 26 2021 - 9:37 AM.

[PaigeX]

The idea to have a wicking source is not new and in fact Crystal, a member here, posted a Youtube video years ago on not only this 'wick' method, but also using a fine mesh.

 

You can see the video showing both solutions here: https://www.youtube....h?v=dxDUf7F16Pg

 

I've actually had mixed results with both methods. When using the wick method, the wick will sometimes dries out at the top. When using the mesh, I find that even using a very fine 100 micro mesh it would sometimes still spill out in a quick burst.

 

One thing I have not tried is to invert the container as you have done with the wick. My thought was raise it just a bit so that the ants can get to it from  under, not just the the bottom as you have done. I hope the wick will not dry out that way. But my trying this will have to wait for next year as my girls are all in refrigerated diapause for this season.

Have you tried 300-500 micron stainless steel mesh? Its way more costly though.