Can Ants Be Raised?
WouterWhether you’re raising your own ants, or simply keeping them as pets, you may be wondering, “Can ants be raised?” The answer is yes, as long as you’re aware of the basics. A few simple tips will help you keep your ants happy and healthy.
To start with, you’ll need to collect ants. Ideally, they should be found in a pesticide-free area. Once you have them, they’ll need to be moved to a real formicarium. You can buy ant farm kits online, but it’s also possible to set up your own.
Once you have your ants, you’ll need to provide them with a diet. Generally, they should be fed carbohydrates and proteins. This helps the colony maintain its strength, while also allowing the ants to store food for the future.
If you want to keep ants in a test tube, use an aluminium foil plate to cover the test tube. You can then feed the ants with a toothpick, cotton wool, or sugar. Be sure to replace the food if it’s eaten, or mold could form.
Ants are naturally attracted to aphids, and they help aphids to multiply quickly. These pests feed on the sap of plants, and ants help to protect the aphids from predators. They also speed up the decomposition of organic matter, which fertilizes the plants.
Depending on the ant species, an ant colony can live for 3 to 10 years. The colony may produce 2,000 or more workers. As the colony grows, the demand for food increases, so be sure to keep up with the feeding.
