11 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall reading from multiple sources that ants primarily obtain their water from food and nectar. However the other day when I was filling my Pheidole water tower, a good amount spilled out and into the substrate. The ants immediately circled up and started lapping it up from the ground. I've noticed my Pogonomyrmex doing the same too. So I put a few drops of water in a feeding dish and they similarly drank it up.

 

So, should we be providing a consistent source of water (i.e. via liquid feeder)? Normally I just keep the nest humid and switch up between feeding insects, nectar, and gel foods.

[AntsTexas]

i have seen my Pogonomyrmex barbatus queens on a cotton ball soaked with water drinking it....

 

 

i'd say if they like it, continue doing it, a happy ant colony makes a happy colony keeper.....

Edited by AntsTexas, August 4 2015 - 8:15 AM.

[dspdrew]

I've often wondered the same thing.

[Zeiss]

A few of my queens like to go where I have a water tower in the setup and drink from it.  My Pogonomyrmex Californicus does it often.

[LC3]

I see ants drinking clear water all, either through paper and anything with spongy properties (except dirt) or just from drops.

[Foogoo]

I think I'm going to start doing that now, especially when it's hot. Maybe just a few liquid feeders with water.

[john.harrold]

I put some liquid feeders from byFormica in the foraging area when I went out of town (one with sugar water the other with water). I did this just to make sure there was enough water and food while I was gone. When I got back I left the one with water and I see the workers drinking from it often. These are Camponotus sansabeanus that I got from drew back in June. 

[drtrmiller]

I personally don't feed water when I'm feeding Formula Blue 100.  When I feed other foods, I either have a liquid feeder filled with water or heavily diluted Sunburst Ant Nectar.

[JoshuaGF]

Every organism needs water. Ants go looking for water especially when the humidity is low. If you live in a dry place or it is hot outside that day, put water down for the ants outside and they will come drink it. Outside I find them drinking morning dew off of grass and plants. I saw a BBC show a long time ago called "Empire of the desert ants". The show follows the Coral queen's colony for years. If I remember right, a drought came, very little rain fell and the Coral colony was later wiped out by the Colony located near the water trough. The water trough colony was stronger because it had a source of water throughout the dry spell.

[Trailandstreet]

I have a water source in every of my colonies, even the Temnothorax.

[Foogoo]

What do you use? Something like a liquid feeder?

 

I've now put liquid feeders, water tower, or sponge in each of my non-test tube colonies.

[Crystals]

All of my colonies have a water tower, or water source.  Most colonies have a tower with hummingbird nectar as well.

I often see ants at both locations.