11 replies to this topic

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

I will be going to India this summer to see my family for about 2 months. What should I do about my ants?

[Canadian anter]

Which species of ants?

I know for the temperate species here I can just pop them into the fridge, but I'm unsure if that would work for your species since you're in Florida

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

Solenopsis Xyloni 

[Flu1d]

Solenopsis Xyloni

I'm no expert on S. xyloni, however, I would imagine leaving a heating cable on them, lots of water, give them some individual drops of honey (honey/sugar water will go bad too fast) or feed them plenty of sugars before you leave if anything and I would make sure you gave them a nice, hearty protein meal before you go.

My invicta would easily take care of themselves for up to 2 weeks without food, especially after a large feeding, but they 100% need PLENTY of water.

EDIT: I just realized you said 2 MONTHS, not weeks. I strongly believe that you will need someone to come by and feed them if you want them to survive.

Edited by Flu1d, April 21 2023 - 9:57 AM.

[Canadian anter]

Probably would be better asking someone to take care of them, or maybe checking with folks whether cooling down would work

Edited by Canadian anter, April 21 2023 - 10:00 AM.

[Miles]

Our lab in Gainesville could potentially accommodate your colony/s. Feel free to send me a DM. 

 

2 months is too long to leave ants without proper care.

[AntsCali098]

Solenopsis is more of a demanding species and definitely need care during that time. It also depends a bit on colony size.

[Flu1d]

Our lab in Gainesville could potentially accommodate your colony/s. Feel free to send me a DM.

2 months is too long to leave ants without proper care.

Miles is trustworthy and would absolutely properly care for your colonies. I highly recommend you hit him up.

[ColAnt735]

Solenopsis Xyloni 

Where did you get your xyloni? I don't know of any ant shops that sell xyloni to Florida.

[rptraut]

So.... if we could get back to the original question, does anyone have any suggestions about feeding ant colonies for a more reasonable vacation time like one or two weeks?  For things like sugar/water and drinking water, feeders and such can be left that will last for a week.  That's easily done.  I imagine a two-week amount could also be figured out and left for each colony.  But what about protein?  In the past I have left pieces of freeze-dried brine shrimp, soft dog treats, pieces of dry dog food, and chicken bones for my colonies with varying success.  The chicken bones are especially popular.  I give my larger colonies these as a treat in their regular feeding program.  I use chicken thigh bone or pieces of neck vertebrae with adhering scraps of meat and grizzle etc attached.  I also usually cut the thigh bones in half.  My Camponotus and Tetramorium colonies love these and will spend literally days cleaning every scrap of useful stuff from the bones and will even get inside and hollow out all of the marrow from inside the bones too.  They seem to be able to keep ahead of mold and the dog treats, dry dog food, and brine shrimp easily keep for a week if they are kept dry.  I've never seen any problems with mold in the nest.  

 

If a colony has to go without protein for two or three days to a week, will it adversely affect them?  What other ways can protein be supplied to a colony for a couple of weeks, without having to worry about spoilage?  Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

RPT

[Flu1d]

So.... if we could get back to the original question, does anyone have any suggestions about feeding ant colonies for a more reasonable vacation time like one or two weeks? For things like sugar/water and drinking water, feeders and such can be left that will last for a week. That's easily done. I imagine a two-week amount could also be figured out and left for each colony. But what about protein? In the past I have left pieces of freeze-dried brine shrimp, soft dog treats, pieces of dry dog food, and chicken bones for my colonies with varying success. The chicken bones are especially popular. I give my larger colonies these as a treat in their regular feeding program. I use chicken thigh bone or pieces of neck vertebrae with adhering scraps of meat and grizzle etc attached. I also usually cut the thigh bones in half. My Camponotus and Tetramorium colonies love these and will spend literally days cleaning every scrap of useful stuff from the bones and will even get inside and hollow out all of the marrow from inside the bones too. They seem to be able to keep ahead of mold and the dog treats, dry dog food, and brine shrimp easily keep for a week if they are kept dry. I've never seen any problems with mold in the nest.

If a colony has to go without protein for two or three days to a week, will it adversely affect them? What other ways can protein be supplied to a colony for a couple of weeks, without having to worry about spoilage? Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
RPT

Depends on the species, among other factors. My invicta could go 2 weeks without protein without any truly negative effects.. I wouldn't run the same risk with certain other species, like perhaps O. haematodus.

The best ants to leave alone would probably be ants like Pogonomyrmex or other granivorous species since they can store food for an okay time, or perhaps fungus growing species. (This is only for food)

Solenopsis Xyloni

Where did you get your xyloni? I don't know of any ant shops that sell xyloni to Florida.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't have S. xyloni. I think he caught that colony and self identified it.

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

It's not xyloni my microscope is horrible that is the problem.