7 replies to this topic

[ruth]

Hello. I have a Pogonomyrmex Barbatus queen with about 15 eggs and someone told me they love apples but I found apples contain citric acid which they say is a natural repellent for ants https://www.architec... to suffocate.,I was also thinking of feeding her with Gerber or soy sauce but they contain citric acid too so I don't know if I should give It a shot or avoid everything that contains citric acid.

[mbullock42086]

  they are not repelled by citric acid, they just don't prefer overtly acidic food.
 the actual repellent would be citrus OIL, which comes from the leaves and is definitely toxic to most insects in general.

  You really should just stick to seeds and bugs for these guys. hemp hearts are a good one.

[ANTdrew]

K.I.S.S. Just feed her with sugar water.

[bmb1bee]

Pogonomyrmex don't even need sweets; seeds and feeder insects will work perfectly fine. Dandelion, poppy, and bluegrass are great for harvesters in general as well as in my experience. For an additional protein boost you could feed her a chunk of mealworm, cricket, dubia, or whatever feeder insect you might be able to safely obtain.

[mbullock42086]

fish flake food is a great for Pogonomyrmex can actually be a staple for them, lots of starch.  it lets you avoid the issue of them being spoiled by fresh meat, lets you give both protein and starch easily.

  its good for lasius, dorymyrmex, pheidole and novomessor

[ruth]

Thanks for you answers, I Will continue feeding her with dandelion seeds and a mix of seeds for birds.

[bmb1bee]

Thanks for you answers, I Will continue feeding her with dandelion seeds and a mix of seeds for birds.

If you're offering birdseed, go for the smaller ones. The larger and rounder seeds will be much more difficult for the queen to break open, unless you crush them beforehand. The best thing to do would probably be to leave a pile of the dandelion seeds by the entrance of the test tube; enough to cover a part of the bottom of the tube. 

[AntsGodzilla]

Hello. I have a Pogonomyrmex Barbatus queen with about 15 eggs and someone told me they love apples but I found apples contain citric acid which they say is a natural repellent for ants https://www.architec... to suffocate.,I was also thinking of feeding her with Gerber or soy sauce but they contain citric acid too so I don't know if I should give It a shot or avoid everything that contains citric acid.

Pogonomyrmex get their proteins and carbs from the seeds they eat. Stay away from soy sauce.