8 replies to this topic

[electrodynamix]

I'm asking for suggestions for different protein sources for ants. I cannot catch insects from outside as in my area there is prevalent use of pesticides. I've read bad reviews about canned insects online, where entire colonies have died off due to the canned insects. In pet stores nearby,they don't sell live feeder insects, as ants are not really a common pet here.

I plan to try and feed ants proteins such as chicken, boiled chicken, egg, and perhaps more varieties of meat

Any advice is appreciated, and ill be updating how well different protein species work for my ants!

[shuwen2.0]

you could try out these, they aren't the most budget friendly but the ants like them very  well

https://talis-us.com...9aoiL_wacMEblQk

[dboeren]

Besides pet stores, you can look and see if there might be a fishing shop that sells live bait?  You don't need to keep them alive, it's OK to freeze the feeder insects and thaw them out as needed.  If there is a specialty reptile pet store they might sell things like live mealworms, superworms, roaches, etc... as these are commonly fed to frogs and lizards.

 

You could try a small aquarium fish, cut it up in pieces and see if they will eat that?  An aquarium store may sell other live feeders intended to feed to fish, like brine shrimp, etc...  Ask and see what they have.  Hopefully you can find one or two options that the ants will accept.

 

If you don't have a colony yet, you could also try to pick a species that mainly eats seeds.  I am not sure however what species are available in your area.

 

You could also try raising your own feeders which would be pesticide free.  You just need a few to start the feeder colony which as a one-time cost might be able to be ordered & shipped and the cost would be recovered over time.

 

Hope this helps!

[ANTdrew]

Mealworms and wingless fruit flies are very easy to culture at home. You can buy a bunch of crickets and freeze them for later use as well. Frozen bloodworms are another great option. Many ants enjoy canned cat food as well. 

[cooIboyJ]

Buy some lizard insects and roaches at petco.

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

Just about any people food meat will work. Chicken hearts and livers are a good option. You can cook them or serve them raw. Egg also works, soft/hard boiled.

pet foods are another one. If you already have a dog or cat, high quality pet treats like the dried fish flakes are popular with my ants.

 

Any feeder insects for any pet will work. Just be sure to drop them for 3-5 seconds in roiling boil water to kill off any mites and mite eggs (some eggs can survive freezing but not boiling). Feeder/bait insects are commonly mite infested so be sure to gaurd against that if you buy any.

All of that can also be prepped and then frozen for long times.

Lastly fish flakes, like food for fish tanks kind of stuff is also good. That would include the bloodworms mentioned earlier in this thread. But if you buy fish flakes pay close attention to the ingredient list. Like people food it is listed in most to least amounts used. You want to see fish/shrimp as the first main things on the list. The common multi color flakes are a lot of flour and filler with the real food ingredients a bit farther down the list.

I use this brand of fish flakes

[jo16]

Cooked egg yolk works well.

[electrodynamix]

Thank you very much for your suggestions! I tried feeding my young colony of Pheidole parva some boiled chicken, and they accepted it. I checked online, and i think i can order mealworms and superworms, any guidelines on how i should culture and prepare them for the ants? Can i freeze them too? I will check nearby aquarium stores for insect feeders.

Ill also try eggs and canned dog/cat food and update the results here.

Also, i know we need to feed ants a variety of proteins. How many varieties should this really be, how many accepted sources of protein do i need to find? any other advice is appreciated.

[ANTdrew]

If you have not done so yet, read through this guide:
https://www.formicul...view=getnewpost

This link will teach you how to culture all sorts of possible feeder insects:
https://www.formicul...ts-and-feeders/