since ants need protein to lay their eggs, is is ok to feed a colony protein shakes?
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Can ants be fed protein drinks?
Started By
Leo
, Jan 25 2017 3:45 AM
6 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted January 25 2017 - 3:45 AM
Leo
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#2
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Posted January 25 2017 - 5:23 AM
Batspiderfish
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If the protein comes from milk, then ants won't be able to digest it. Myrmicine ants might be able to handle vegetable protein, but I have never tried this. Insects are the best.
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#3
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Posted January 25 2017 - 5:25 AM
Serafine
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I was wondering the same - protein bars should work as an addition to what they already get, although I'm not sure how to apply protein shakes (drops on foil? soaked in cotton?) as they most likely will mold very quickly.
Edited by Serafine, January 25 2017 - 5:26 AM.
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#4
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Posted January 25 2017 - 6:20 AM
Alabama Anter
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Yeah, If you think about it protein shakes will provide the perfect conditions for mold.
YJK
#5
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Posted January 25 2017 - 6:48 AM
T.C.
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When I got home from the gym, I tried giving my ants some of mine. They showed no interest at all.
#6
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Posted January 25 2017 - 12:56 PM
drtrmiller
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Remember the litany of scientific papers describing whey protein and casein being used in synthetic diets. Most of those studies only last a couple months. After studying these diets personally for years, I've similarly reached the conclusion that diets primarily derived from denatured milk proteins do not provide the nutrition most ants need to thrive, even if the ants consume the food and continue to produce brood for a short time.
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#7
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Posted January 25 2017 - 3:05 PM
Kevin
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Caffeine is apparently toxic to insects in a high enough dosage, be careful to get a drink with no caffeine. I wouldn't recommend feeding your ants G-Fuel or a 5-hour energy if you were thinking about it.
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