8 replies to this topic

[collin1008]

Hello Everyone,

 

My small Tetramorium colony is becoming more active now and I have begun feeding them again. Before they went into hibernation I was feeding them honey and freeze dried crickets or meal worms which they seemed to take no problem. Now however it doesnt appear to be the case? Or perhaps the amount they are taking are small. I found a random house spider in my bathroom and killed it and figured I would feed it to the ants rather than flush it (why waste free food I guess) Checked the outworld and noticed the spider was missing (It was definitely squashed) and was small enough to get carried back to the nest potentially. I was just curious about what others found that worked for their tetramorium diets and what did not. Colony seems to be in good development with quite a few pupae so I don't see any major issues... Any suggestions or questions? 

[Reevak]

Here is a link to a list of the preferred foods by different ant species.

http://www.formicult...ood-by-species/

[Serafine]

Tetramorium eat pretty much everything. They need a sugar source (sugar water, honey, marple sirup, most likely they're even going to drink lemonade) and a protein source (dead insects, cooked meat, cat/dog food, boiled egg yolk, etc.). They also eat seeds and nuts as extra addition to their regular diet (sesame seeds, dandelion seeds, etc.).

Note that different colonies can have different taste and that the preferred food might change over the course of the year (Tetramorium takes seeds and nuts most happily during fall).

Edited by Serafine, January 14 2017 - 4:05 AM.

[collin1008]

Thank you both for the information, tried a small apple chunk yesterday and they don't seem to be taking to that either. I will try some seeds as well, Do either of you know of any links or setups for the sugar water? (proportions etc) I may also consider making a fruit fly trap perhaps using that as a main protein since they took so well to the spider anyway.

[Serafine]

Fruit flies are perfect food for young colonies. The common mix for sugar water seems to be 3:1 or 4:1 but my Camponotus took 1:1 as well.

[Roachant]

I found my tetramoriums ate any insects I put in, particularly when they had lots of brood. As for the sugar, they really liked the sunburst nectar from byformica. They also liked honey that was watered down but liked it less. They are a great species, I really miss my colony ( they are in hibernation).

[collin1008]

I ended up picking up some fruit fly cultures and they are a big hit! I will probably look into making my own fairly soon to help supplement their feeding habits. I will also try sugar water and see how it goes, I've found sliced almonds work well too. 

[Leo]

i am glad that i don't need to hibernate my ants

[collin1008]

I had to hibernate them this year! Looks like ill be moving to texas in the next year though! Whatever I catch down there won't need to! Hopefully I can find me some black crazy ants! As a side note by 4:1 you mean for instance 4 cups of water to 1 cup of sugar?

 

Thanks!