ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Tangleweed]

I am a complete beginner. Are the bluebottle larvae (that anglers use for bait) suitable for ants (specifically l. niger)?

Also, my Q and first workers have been in their tube for several days. They are connected by tubing to the nest, where I have left food. However, they are not going further than a few centimetres from the Q, and I am afraid they will starve. Should I be worried? (They have plenty of water, of course)

[kerzhakov]

They will eat them but theyre very fatty id imagine. small flies would be better for the protien without the fat. larvae for a treat tho i suppose.
have u tried putting a piece of food directly inside the tube at the end? dont do it too often but it works for me. might coax them to come out further. with my new colonies i always give them a bit of protien jelly in their tubes.
or could be that the workers are still very young?

[miszt]

they will forage for food if they need it, dont worry

[Tangleweed]

thanks miszt and kerzhakov for replies and reassurance!

I downloaded your care sheet, miszt. Very useful, thank you

[JimmyVe]

Hello Tangleweed and welcome to the forum.

Small colonies can not take risks, so they will forage at night and only what they need. I see you have read miszt care sheet, well i think there is all you need to now in there. If you still have questions feel free to ask.