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Feeding Maggots to Ants

Started By TroxxyTee , Jul 27 2017 1:20 PM

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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline TroxxyTee - Posted July 27 2017 - 1:20 PM

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I'm thinking about raising maggots for my ants, any opinions on this? 


#2 Offline ultraex2 - Posted July 27 2017 - 1:39 PM

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Sure, at that point though you may as well do fruit flies?


#3 Offline Kevin - Posted July 27 2017 - 1:51 PM

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Raise mealworms. I can't imagine raising maggots, they are disgusting. Mealworms are probably one of the easiest to raise too.


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#4 Offline TroxxyTee - Posted July 27 2017 - 1:55 PM

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I don't find maggots 'disgusting' if I'm being honest. I'm trying to find a way where I can produce as much ant food as possible without spending as much money as I'd being spending with mealworms, fruit flys, etc. 


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#5 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted July 27 2017 - 2:11 PM

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Maggots are fly larvae for your information. So culturing maggots would just be the same as culturing flies.

Massachusetts Nuptial Flight Thread  | Massachusetts Anting Thread | My Ants

#6 Offline Salmon - Posted July 27 2017 - 2:11 PM

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Maggots really aren't a bad idea. They grow way faster than most insects, and you'll have more insect biomass in less time.

But I also find them gross enough that I wouldn't deliberately raise them indoors or feed them to my ants. Black soldier flies maybe, but your typical carrion feeding maggots really trigger most people's disgust response.

#7 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 27 2017 - 3:10 PM

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Drosophila flies are honestly the cheapest and easiest ant food I've found. I spent $6 on one culture a year or so ago, and my small setup is producing yields which surpass the needs of my ~10 young colonies. All it takes is transferring some flies to a fresh medium every 2-4 weeks (consisting of instant mashed potatoes, sugar, and cider vinegar).


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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#8 Offline Kevin - Posted July 27 2017 - 4:55 PM

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I don't find maggots 'disgusting' if I'm being honest. I'm trying to find a way where I can produce as much ant food as possible without spending as much money as I'd being spending with mealworms, fruit flys, etc. 

 

I, and most of the world from what I've found, find maggots and pest flies to be dirty and gross. There's nothing like pulling out a trashcan and finding a bunch of maggots in it. Mealworms are cheap, buy a cup of 50-100 for $5 at PetSmart and put them in a container of dollarstore oatmeal. Done. Throw in potato, carrots, or lettuce scraps every so often.


Edited by Kevin, July 27 2017 - 4:56 PM.

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#9 Offline SeaShell - Posted July 28 2017 - 10:09 PM

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I don't find maggots 'disgusting' if I'm being honest. I'm trying to find a way where I can produce as much ant food as possible without spending as much money as I'd being spending with mealworms, fruit flys, etc. 

I think maggots are cool, not gross.   What they like to eat is gross!  lol  

 

Maggots would be good for ants!  I've raised them for my chickens before.


Edited by SeaShell, July 28 2017 - 10:10 PM.

#10 Offline SeaShell - Posted July 28 2017 - 10:12 PM

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I don't find maggots 'disgusting' if I'm being honest. I'm trying to find a way where I can produce as much ant food as possible without spending as much money as I'd being spending with mealworms, fruit flys, etc. 

 

I, and most of the world from what I've found, find maggots and pest flies to be dirty and gross. There's nothing like pulling out a trashcan and finding a bunch of maggots in it. Mealworms are cheap, buy a cup of 50-100 for $5 at PetSmart and put them in a container of dollarstore oatmeal. Done. Throw in potato, carrots, or lettuce scraps every so often.

 

The rotting food must start to smell or do the mealworms break it down too quickly?


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