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Feed or not?

Started By Scolwell06 , Jul 5 2022 7:54 AM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Scolwell06 - Posted July 5 2022 - 7:54 AM

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My grandson has caught several pavement ants queens and placed them in test tubes. He has seven pavement ant queen and one carpenter ant queen. Now a couple or three workers have hatched with the queen. He is asking if they need fed at this point? From what little I know I think not yet.
I was working outside and he found a queen on my shirt..have to get the identity of that one as well. TIA

#2 Offline United-Ants - Posted July 5 2022 - 8:43 AM

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They don't need to be feed till first workers

#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 5 2022 - 9:08 AM

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LocationAlexandria, VA

At 2-3 workers is the perfect time to offer a bit of protein and nectar.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline Scolwell06 - Posted July 5 2022 - 9:32 AM

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Thanks...time to feed a little something. That's going to be tricky in a tube. Would opening the tube end and placing it in a small container work?

#5 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 5 2022 - 9:47 AM

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Placing the tube in an escape proofed container is a great way to go. Make a smaller entry to the tube using a straw or by drilling a hole in the cap of the tube.

lazyant likes this

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#6 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted July 5 2022 - 10:52 PM

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LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

Thanks...time to feed a little something. That's going to be tricky in a tube. Would opening the tube end and placing it in a small container work?

When they are very small (like 1-3 worker), you can put in tiny pieces of dead insect or offer a tiny aluminum tray of nectar. For some really lazy ants I have to shove the food in halfway for the nanitics to find it, but by the time you have 4+ they'll probably be starting to explore outside the tube.

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