9 replies to this topic

[thosaka]

Is it a myth that if ants eat rice, they explode? Are we talking about cooked or uncooked rice? Has anyone ever given ants some potato (mashed, baked, fried)? A potato is high in carb, low in fiber and protein, and has vitamins.

[Cindy]

The "logic" behind this idea is that the ants will carry the uncooked grits or rice back to their nests and feed them to their larvae. After eating the larvae will explode when the grains "expand" inside of them.

This is a myth, kind of like the idea that swallowing a watermelon seed whole will cause a watermelon to grow inside of your stomach (which is impossible b/c your stomach enzymes will break down and digest the food).

 

It is probably safe to feed potatoes and rice to ants, so as long as you wash it carefully /pick up organic produce.

[thosaka]

The "logic" behind this idea is that the ants will carry the uncooked grits or rice back to their nests and feed them to their larvae. After eating the larvae will explode when the grains "expand" inside of them.
This is a myth, kind of like the idea that swallowing a watermelon seed whole will cause a watermelon to grow inside of your stomach (which is impossible b/c your stomach enzymes will break down and digest the food).
 
It is probably safe to feed potatoes and rice to ants, so as long as you wash it carefully /pick up organic produce.

Thanks for answer. I assume it wouldn't happen if it is cooked rice since the rice has already expanded?

[Jelly]

 

The "logic" behind this idea is that the ants will carry the uncooked grits or rice back to their nests and feed them to their larvae. After eating the larvae will ...

Thanks for answer. I assume it wouldn't happen if it is cooked rice since the rice has already expanded?

 

 

It won't happen cooked or uncooked, its a "myth". A common one too, I've heard birds explode as well... lol

[Barristan]

deleted

Edited by Barristan, April 29 2017 - 1:22 PM.

[Works4TheGood]

I had no idea that ants would show any interest in a potatoe. Were these guys out of sugarwater or water at the time?

[Batspiderfish]

They are probably drinking from it. Potatoes are very starchy, and only certain genera from Myrmicinae can digest starches.

[thosaka]

They are probably drinking from it. Potatoes are very starchy, and only certain genera from Myrmicinae can digest starches.

Interesting. What happens if they eat something they cannot digest? Will it be bad for them?

[MichiganAnts]

i generally will just throw random bits of food in to see if any colonies want it. last night i found out my large Camponotus Nove love fish sticks lol

Edited by MichiganAnts, April 5 2017 - 8:22 AM.

[CallMeCraven]

The rice bit is a myth. Rice is just a grain harvested from grasses, just like the kentucky bluegrass seeds you would feed Pogonomyrmex colony.