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Pre-killing bugs... also anyone tried little Kenyan roaches?

Started By OhNoNotAgain , Jan 3 2020 4:48 PM

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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted January 3 2020 - 4:48 PM

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1,116 posts

LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

I've been using mostly mealworms, which (despite one grain mite) I keep feeding freshly cut up, from the fridge.

Frozen crickets do not seem to be popular with my picky ants.

I tried fruitflies but some colonies just killed them and threw them out as trash, plus the flies crawled everywhere.

I'm reluctantly considering roaches. Because I'm thinking of getting some other small insectivores, I've been pondering small roaches, maybe even very small roaches like little Kenyans (because they are small isopod-sized and I already have isopods).

How do you pre-kill them? I have enough squick issues with beheading mealworms. Fridge then hammer?

Anyone kept little Kenyans as feeders?

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus (inactive), vicinus, laevigatus/quercicola

Liometopum occidentale; Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus (inactive)

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and californicus (inactive)

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.

#2 Offline Zeiss - Posted January 3 2020 - 5:07 PM

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1,230 posts

LocationFountain Valley

It isn't difficult. You grab them and crush them.

They're easy to keep. Just like any other feeder really.

#3 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted January 3 2020 - 7:43 PM

Advanced Member

Members
1,116 posts

LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

Hammer? Rock? Bare hands? Any recommendations 😜

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus (inactive), vicinus, laevigatus/quercicola

Liometopum occidentale; Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus (inactive)

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and californicus (inactive)

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.

#4 Offline ponerinecat - Posted January 3 2020 - 8:38 PM

Advanced Member

Members
2,650 posts

LocationCalifornia

you can freeze em... most humane way.

#5 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted January 3 2020 - 10:57 PM

Advanced Member

Members
1,116 posts

LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

you can freeze em... most humane way.

Freeze then smash with like a hammer so ants can get past the exterior?

Lightly freeze?

Seriously, the ants seem disgusted with frozen crickets so....

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus (inactive), vicinus, laevigatus/quercicola

Liometopum occidentale; Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus (inactive)

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and californicus (inactive)

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.

#6 Offline Zeiss - Posted January 3 2020 - 11:49 PM

Advanced Member

Moderators
1,230 posts

LocationFountain Valley

You're thinking too hard about this. Just crush the bug with whatever you want and give it to the ants.

If you're feeding them frozen insects, make sure you only freeze them for one night max. Freezers dry things out over time. Also make sure the bug is completely thawed, they don't like still frozen things.