7 replies to this topic

[ConcordAntman]

I’m trying the Bhatkar diet for my colonies but couldn’t easily find agar. I substituted it with gelatin. While its consistency is not as thick, is there any risk feeding gelatin based food to ants?

[Martialis]

I wouldn't think so. It's probably quite a bit less nutritious, however.

 

Have you looked at biological supply websites to try and find agar?

[FSTP]

How are you having a hard ttime finding it?  its all over amazon....

 

https://www.amazon.c...ef=nb_sb_noss_2

[ConcordAntman]

Thanks for the replies! I was just looking at my local grocery, not Amazon.

[ConcordAntman]

It’s not clear that there’s a big nutrition difference. More sodium, protein, and carbohydrates in gelatin, more potassium, iron, and magnesium in agar. I don’t see any potential toxins so I’ll see if they’ll try it.

[ConcordAntman]

Well, the first batch made with gelatin as the jelling agent failed the Camponotus taste test. I made a second batch with agar I got from Amazon (couldn’t find it in any local stores).

6 g agar dissolved in 300 ml of boiling water added to 62 ml honey, 1 egg, 1 ml Poly-vi-sol that was blended in 250 ml water then allowed to cool and set.

It has a thicker consistency but doesn’t seem any more palatable to my colonies. Anyone got a better accepted recipe?

[Canadian anter]

Well, the first batch made with gelatin as the jelling agent failed the Camponotus taste test. I made a second batch with agar I got from Amazon (couldn’t find it in any local stores).
6 g agar dissolved in 300 ml of boiling water added to 62 ml honey, 1 egg, 1 ml Poly-vi-sol that was blended in 250 ml water then allowed to cool and set.
It has a thicker consistency but doesn’t seem any more palatable to my colonies. Anyone got a better accepted recipe?

Doesn't work as a standalone diet

[ConcordAntman]

I’m not using it as a stand-alone diet. I use it in a rotation between freshly killed mealworms, apple slices, raw chicken, rehydrated freeze-dried mealworms and an on-demand supply of hummingbird nectar.