8 replies to this topic

[JustSomeAnts]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the hobby and have a quick feeding question. Do you provide constant supply of sugar water or honey to your ants, like using a water tower with sugar water? Or is it better to provide that manually every two days or so?

Thank you in advance and have a great day.

[Ernteameise]

I have a small feeding tower with both water and sugar water, plus in the outworld also a test tube filled with water. Feeding it manually can cause problems because small ants can become stuck or drown.

Have a look in my journals, there are pictures.

[ANTdrew]

I definitely recommend getting good liquid feeders and giving your ants a constant supply of liquid sugars.

[JustSomeAnts]

Thank you very much for your answers! I will get some quickly.

I have a small feeding tower with both water and sugar water, plus in the outworld also a test tube filled with water. Feeding it manually can cause problems because small ants can become stuck or drown.
Have a look in my journals, there are pictures.

I see you are from Germany as well, may I ask where you got the feeder from which has the blue liquid at your pictures in journals? I found some on Amazon but there where also comments that they do not work with bigger ants. As I have Camponotus Cruentatus would be good to get the ones you have, kind of proven then

[antsinvirgina]

it depends on the sp. of ant. 

for example I have a Camponotus colony that I give sugar water maybe ounce a month, but for ants like honey pot I think you need to give them sugar water more often

(I am not a pro on the subject so call me out if I am wrong) 

[Manitobant]

I always provide a constant supply of sugar water to my colonies using byformica liquid feeders. This is a product I can’t recommend enough and I highly suggest getting some (or an equivalent that’s easier to find in Europe)

[Ernteameise]

Thank you very much for your answers! I will get some quickly.
 

I have a small feeding tower with both water and sugar water, plus in the outworld also a test tube filled with water. Feeding it manually can cause problems because small ants can become stuck or drown.
Have a look in my journals, there are pictures.

I see you are from Germany as well, may I ask where you got the feeder from which has the blue liquid at your pictures in journals? I found some on Amazon but there where also comments that they do not work with bigger ants. As I have Camponotus Cruentatus would be good to get the ones you have, kind of proven then

 

All my feeders and water bottles (as well as my acrylic nest) are from a Spanish company called "Anthouse". Also the blue sugar liquid. I am actually very happy with them, they have great customer service, answer quickly to questions, and the delivery times are unbeatable- they take about 3-5 days from Spain to Germany. I did an experiment and ordered some stuff from them and from German Antstore, and the Spanish stuff arrived first!

So far I have not observed any issues. The ants are definitely drinking from the water bottles, both when I fill them with water and also with sugar water.

 

https://anthouse.es/...bederos_3d-1_ml

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

As said already, depends on the ant species really.

 

My Pogonomyrmex O. don't get any sugar or honey water, but i keep a slice of apple out for them all the time. I replace it every 2-3 days.
There is almost always at least one ant getting some, and even the queen herself will sometimes come to the outworld for a bit of apple.

 

[Ants_Dakota]

I have multiple observations you may find helpful. Note: this has all been tested on a formica species colony and your ants may act differently. 1. When excess sugar water or honey is present in liquid feeders(more than the colony needs), my formica colony will drain it(annoyingly) out onto the floor of the outworld, so I would caution you to keep an eye out for that. 2. A myrmecologist on this forum has recommended to, if you do go for constant sugar, change it out every 3 to 5 days due to how much bacteria can explode on exposed sugar(even liquid feeders). My 2 cents!