11 replies to this topic

[AntTitan]

Hey guys, I have a small Crematogaster colony with my queen, 3 workers, and tons of brood in a test tube setup. I am having a bit of a problem though when it comes to giving them nutrition, I know when it comes to keeping ants their are the three things they need for nutrition, Protein, carbohydrates (usually sugar) and water, but lately I've been having trouble giving them the carbohydrates part. For a long time I was giving them a cut up meal-worm and a drop of honey on aluminum foil that I would put in their test tube. However I've had several workers of this colony die in the past because they drowned in the honey, no matter how small the droplet. Now I have replaced the honey droplet with a small sugar-water soaked cotton ball, the problem now is that after a few days the cotton ball dries out and becomes sticky which and I don't know if the colony can get the sugar they need from the dried up cotton ball.

 

If you guys know any other way I could get them sugar (or other carbohydrates) that would be GREATLY appreciated, Also if you guys could let me know if they can get the sugar from the dried up cotton ball that would also be greatly appreciated.

[Kaelwizard]

Instead of a drop of honey you could try to spread it out on the aluminum.

[steelplant]

You're doing the right thing with sugar water in a tiny cotton ball. It just needs replacing after a few days. I also second kaelwizard's suggestion.

[ANTdrew]

You should put the tube opened up in a small outworld with a liquid feeder, preferably byFormica. I give my Crematogaster outworlds as soon as they have any workers at all.

[azzaaazzzz00]

I also usually just use sugar water and I put it on alumium foil, I just don't leave it in the outworld or wherever I put it too long.

Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 4 2021 - 12:09 PM.

[Chickalo]

I second what ANTdrew said, you can use small liquid feeders and place them into the outworld (which you should also have, but small and bare to make cleanup easier).  Fill it up with sugar water, providing a safer way to give your ants sugar without them drowning.

Edited by Chickalo, May 4 2021 - 12:11 PM.

[azzaaazzzz00]

I guess that is better than just putting it on plain aluminium foil.

Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 4 2021 - 12:17 PM.

[steelplant]

Can the ants flood the sand with a byformica liquid feeder? One of my umbratus colonies always wicks the sugar water so it floods the sand and turns into a sticky mouldering mess. My sugar feeders aren't byformica.

[ANTdrew]

Unfortunately, they can. That usually means it is too close to their nest, though.

[steelplant]

Thanks antdrew. I'll try rejigging the layout.

[steelplant]

Antdrew, just wanted to say thanks for the suggestion to move the sugar water further away from the nest entrance. Since i moved it there's been no problem at all. They aren't even putting any sand on it at all. Much happier ants thanks!

[ANTdrew]

Antdrew, just wanted to say thanks for the suggestion to move the sugar water further away from the nest entrance. Since i moved it there's been no problem at all. They aren't even putting any sand on it at all. Much happier ants thanks!

Excellent!