6 replies to this topic

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

As the title says I cannot get my brood boosted colony to accept any form of protein. So far I have tried hard-boiled egg yolk, fruit flies and a housefly. These were all offered dead to the ants but not as much as a single worker touched it. They instantly rejected the fruit fly and around 20 minutes later I found it in their trash pile. They only had around 2 larvae before I added more in so could unacceptance be a possibility?

[drtrmiller]

The thing is that small colonies don't need very much food.  So you might offer the same food items a week later and find that they are receptive to them.  Just keep trying every few days and ensure the colony has access to water and a sugar solution at all times.

 

It would also help if you listed the species.

Edited by drtrmiller, August 30 2019 - 9:52 PM.

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

The thing is that small colonies don't need very much food.  So you might offer the same food items a week later and find that they are receptive to them.  Just keep trying every few days and ensure the colony has access to water and a sugar solution at all times.

 

It would also help if you listed the species.

I don't what species exactly but it is a lasius colony that was found in the forest near my house. The colony loves their sugars and will finish or almost finish what I give them. I feed them a drop of syrup every 3-4 days. Could I try putting a tiny bit of syrup on a fruit fly to attract more workers and hopefully they might carry it back to the larvae?

[Oddyseous]

I had decent luck with mixing raw egg and honey into one sweet protein blasted goo. 

[drtrmiller]

Could I try putting a tiny bit of syrup on a fruit fly to attract more workers and hopefully they might carry it back to the larvae?

 

 

Ants are not toddlers.  They don't need a spoonful of sugar to make the fruit fly go down.

 

Not being receptive to a food like a fruit fly simply means they don't want that food right now.  As long as the colony is generally in good health, they may be receptive to these foods at a later date.

[Canadant]

I had decent luck with mixing raw egg and honey into one sweet protein blasted goo. 

Oddyseous, did that keep a while or was it a once and done thing? It just struck me as such a good idea. I'll definitely be doing it. Thanks!

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

I had decent luck with mixing raw egg and honey into one sweet protein blasted goo. 

I tried this today and it worked like a charm. The workers found it almost instantly and got to work drinking as much as they could. Not only did the colony get some yummy protein syrup but I got to make some scrambled eggs out of the remaining egg insides! This helped me a lot. Thank you!