9 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

I found this Zoo-med Creature Jelly Food Cups at Petsmart. I got the variety pack with three flavors: banana, Brown sugar and nectar. All of my ants love the banana. Haven't tried the others, but I think they will like them just the same.
My Brachyponera ate two servings in an hour or less!

[Rstheant]

I think most jellies are made for other insects, but I’m glad your ants like them. I need to find an easier way to feed my ants. My current “vacation feeder” is a mash of all my insects, hummingbird nectar, and modified starch. I just make them into balls and give them to my ants.

Edited by Rstheant, February 21 2019 - 12:39 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

This is made for feeder insects and other pet insects. So the package says...

[Rstheant]

I don’t know. I’m just glad your ants like it. There’s been some discussion about jellies and what most results are that they are made for other insects. But again, I can be wrong. I’m not a guru that sees all and knows all.

[TennesseeAnts]

I might start selling this at my shop.

[drtrmiller]

The gels work well for insects that can chew and swallow soft foods, but I don't like the idea of sugar gels for ants because the ants can only lick them. You really don't want ants breaking up tiny bits of gel and storing it in the nest, which may be susceptible to mold.  It's much better if ants drink their sugars.

As I've said before, you need a sugar source that performs consistently and reliably for you, in that the worker ants should be strongly receptive to the food whenever they are hungry for sugars.  If these gels you're using perform well for you, keep using them.  I do think there are better options available for ants, however.

Edited by drtrmiller, February 21 2019 - 3:29 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I think there are better sugars too. I just like the idea of this because ants like Aphaenogaster can take pieces of it to the queen and brood. I've also noticed that this is not a gel really. It is nearly liquid. It is not as solid as people may think.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, February 21 2019 - 3:31 PM.

[Rstheant]

Any pics?

[Wa.Va]

They started selling these in Belgian animal stores to. My bird doesn't eat it, but all of my ants do, I gave a pretty big amount to all of them. And only 10% remains in each formicarium. Buried in sand. It contains amino acid, but I still will give them a variety of foods.

[TennesseeAnts]

Yeah, it has small amounts of protein too.