10 replies to this topic

[Oddyseous]

How in the world am I supposed to get some protein into my ants if all they will eat is honey? I'm seriously considering a protein supplement mixed in the honey at this point. The list of likes and dislikes for foods doesn't seem to apply to these ants. All they want is... THAT HONEY. Suggestions? Crematogaster Cerasi (Acrobat Ant).

Edited by Oddyseous, August 25 2019 - 12:30 AM.

[BeginnerAntKeeper]

Sometimes ants don’t eat protein as they don’t need it. Only larvae and the queen eat protein and the former males up the majority of the protein consumers in a colony. Perhaps your colony simply does not have any larvae to feed or if it is a queen they don’t like eating food during founding(for full claus)

[Mercutia]

Leaving a variety of different foods in the outworks allows ants to choose whatever they need at that time. Their diet will vary based on what is going on in the nest. I wouldn’t worry about forcing protein into the honey, they will go after it when it’s necessary. To help, try various forms of protein. Chicken, fruit flies, crickets, etc

[gcsnelling]

Crematogaster is one of those ant genera which feed primarily on carbs, so honey fits that need. However honey has its own problems mainly the possibility of pesticide contamination which will kill your ants

[Oddyseous]

Crematogaster is one of those ant genera which feed primarily on carbs, so honey fits that need. However honey has its own problems mainly the possibility of pesticide contamination which will kill your ants

It's always something isn't it.

[Oddyseous]

Guess I won't be putting HGH in the honey after all...

[ANTdrew]

Sorry, this sounds like a frustrating situation. I find it odd that they wouldn’t take protein. My Crematogaster devour any protein I throw at them.
How warm are you keeping them? My ants don’t eat much protein if they’re under 75deg.
Are they stressed somehow, so that the queen is eating her brood or not laying altogether?

Edited by ANTdrew, August 25 2019 - 8:58 AM.

[Martialis]

If you wanted to make 100% sure there aren’t any pesticides you could probably make a syrup by mixing water and sugar then microwaving it for a minute or two. You could probably add in some whey or other water soluble protein if ou wanted to as well.

[Oddyseous]

Sorry, this sounds like a frustrating situation. I find it odd that they wouldn’t take protein. My Crematogaster devour any protein I throw at them.
How warm are you keeping them? My ants don’t eat much protein if they’re under 75deg.
Are they stressed somehow, so that the queen is eating her brood or not laying altogether?

 

Well the temps were pretty high in fact, exactly the same as outside (I only recently installed an air conditioning unit in my house a week ago). I need to get something to measure it inside now but I can tell you the moisture is extremely high making me think it can't possibly be too cold in their habitat. I've experimented with beetles, crickets, fruit flies, even peanut butter for protein. They ignore it all and I end up just having to remove it so it doesn't spoil. I recently upgraded their habitat due to white mold taking over their old AC Large Ant Tower. The two are still connected while I make sure they have all moved over. You can see the current setup which they seem to absolutely love in my Ant Journal. http://www.formicult...eeping-journal/  Any help is appreciated, thinking i'll order some beetle jelly see if that gets them going.

[ANTdrew]

I remember the history of your collecting this colony. I’m worried they haven’t adjusted to captivity. They may be too stressed to produce more brood. Without brood, they would have no interest in protein.

[Oddyseous]

I remember the history of your collecting this colony. I’m worried they haven’t adjusted to captivity. They may be too stressed to produce more brood. Without brood, they would have no interest in protein.

 

Well don't crucify me just yet. They are currently busy carving a new home into the wood log I gave them. I have 3 food dishes out now, honey, raw egg with yoke, and raw egg & honey mixed into one new honey protein liquid pack. I have high hopes for the honey/raw egg mixture. I'll let you know what happens.