9 replies to this topic

[fud]

So I caught a Pogonomyrmex Californicus queen a few days ago and I am too cheap to buy seed for it. Would it be possible for me to feed the colony only honey and bugs without the colony dying off? Also, could I use random seeds I see in my backyard?

Edited by fud, August 9 2018 - 4:08 PM.

[Nare]

So I'm no expert, but I do have some messor. I think that seeds are a must. And there's no reason not to buy them - you can even pick up some poppy seeds from the store - mine love those. I wouldn't use random seeds from your backyard, they might have pesticides on them.

[Zeiss]

You will be killing them if you do not give them seeds.  They are called "Harvester" ants for a reason.  Honey is something you do not give them, they do not need it at all.  If you would read the "Preferred Food by Species" topic, you would see that they mostly eat grass seeds, niger seeds, poppy seeds, and whatever else is on there.  Don't get animals if you aren't prepared to care for them.

[fud]

From what I have observed, harvester ants will take honey if it is given to them.

[Zeiss]

From what I have observed, harvester ants will take honey if it is given to them.

Because it is one of the only things you have presented to them.  They will not do well if you keep giving it to them.  Their wild diets almost completely consist of seeds and insects.

[WestLA_DO]

To put it simply, no. Seeds are the staple of their diet. I have a pretty sizable (600-700) P. californicus colony and they mostly eat seeds (crushed/grounded plain sunflower seeds, Kentucky bluegrass, black niger, poppy) supplemented with proteins (crickets, mealworms, fruit flies, dubia roaches, spiders). I don't give them any sugar water or honey. If you don't want to have a successful colony, then by all means, carry on.

[fud]

So, what seeds can I buy that are cheap and they'll actually eat?

[Zeiss]

So, what seeds can I buy that are cheap and they'll actually eat?

Click the link I put in my above post and you'll see what they can eat.  Then search for seeds that do not have any chemicals, fertilizers, or additives.

[venator]

I usually buy mixed seeds for birds and they work well for my harvesters. Make sure you buy the ones with smaller seeds though

[DaveJay]

Seeds will stay viable for years, a small pack of finch or canary mix will cost only a couple of dollars and last for years. If you were in my area and I was still keeping finches a couple of cups of seed would be nothing to me and I would just give it to you, maybe you know a birdkeeper that would give you a jar for $1 or nothing? Worth a shot if you know someone who keeps small birds.