What Should I Feed Ants?
WouterWhether you are trying to establish a colony or looking for the right food for your ants, there are a few things you will need to know about ants. Ants are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods.
They are attracted to moisture and sugars. They need food to maintain their health and to reproduce. Ants prefer protein, but will also eat meat, eggs, and fruit. They have chemosenses, a chemical sensing system, which allows them to detect chemicals at low concentrations.
Ants need protein in order to feed their larvae and produce eggs. They can be provided with soft-bodied insects, such as crickets, to provide the protein they need. They also need sugars to produce energy.
The best food for ants is protein jelly, which is perfect for both larvae and adult ants. It can be stored for up to a year unsealed and has a flavour that ants will find attractive.
Liquid sugar is also a good source of food. You can use honey or water heated with sugar to provide ants with a sweet treat. You can also feed ants small pieces of bread, soaked in sugar water.
Ants need to be fed in small amounts at every meal. If you give them too much food, they may not finish the meal. They will also tear the food into pieces. If they do not eat their food, the colony will not survive.
If you are trying to establish a colony, you should start by creating a small nest. Once you have about ten workers, you will need to provide a small dab of food every two days.
