Nutrition for ants and insects

20-50 fruit flies  

Good for beginner ant colonies, young praying mantises, and various frog species due to their nutrients. A combination of fruit flies and sugar water (or honey) is a good basic food for an ant colony!

These fruit flies have been bred so they cannot fly, making them easy to feed to the colony.

The flies are delivered in a test tube and are intended for immediate feeding. They can also be frozen and offered later (for up to several weeks). You can also breed them. In that case, prepare a suitable culture medium in a container and provide paper strips for the flies to climb on. Immediately upon receipt, place the flies in the container with this culture medium.

Please note! We cannot guarantee live arrival of the fruit flies. If you need live fruit flies, you should purchase a fruit fly breeding kit.

Sugar water

A sugar water mixture, specifically intended for ants. It is a supplement to an ant diet of honeydew and live insects (and seeds for Messor and Pheidole).

The price includes a tube and cotton pad, from which the ants can suck the sugar water. Suitable for several months. Offer a few drops of sugar water on the supplied cotton pad in a feeding dish or arena, or use the cotton pad as shown in the picture. Make sure the cotton pad stays moist. Every few weeks, push the cotton pad a little deeper into the liquid with the back of a pencil (for example).

The tube is suitable for reuse.

Tube specifications
Length - 75 mm
Diameter - 13 mm
Content - 2 ml
 

Honeydew

Please note: store honeydew in the freezer due to shelf life.

A honeydew substitute mixture, rich in nutrients, specially developed by Ant Farm for ants. The nutrient mixture has been extensively tested by us and is suitable for all ant species. It is a supplement to the diet for ants with sugar water and live insects (and for Messor and Pheidole, seeds).

The price includes a tube and a cotton ball, from which the ants can suck the honeydew. Suitable for several months. Offer the honeydew on a cotton ball (drop) and replace it weekly (store the sealed tube in the freezer).

This mixture was developed by Ant Farm, and we also use it for our own ant colonies.

Tube specifications
Length - 75 mm
Diameter - 13 mm
Content - 2 ml

Gelly  

A test tube filled with gel. This gel provides a variety of nutrients to the ants, both moisture and nutrition are present in it. With a bit of luck, you'll also see the ants digging small tunnels in it.

Ideal as an extra food source or as backup food during the holiday period. Unlike sugar water and honeydew, you can leave this solid food source in your arena for weeks. This way, you don't have to worry about it.

The tube is suitable for reuse.

Tube specifications
Length - 75 mm
Diameter - 13 mm
Content - 2 ml

Fruit cup

Treat your ants or insects with this fruit cup. A source of sugars that serve as an energy source. Available in multiple flavors, which will be sent randomly.

Seed mix

This is a mix of various grass seed types (over 20) and bird seed types. The mix is suitable for all seed-collecting ant species, including those with the scientific names Pheidole and Messor. The Messor ant is also called the harvester ant.

The mix has been put together by us and is also used for our own colonies. A budding colony (up to 30 ants) will have enough of this quantity for at least a year.

Seed Tray

Beautiful tray to offer your seeds on. This makes it look neat and organized, just like the ants are! This tray already fits in an arena M.

Specifications:

Length: 2.5 cm
Width: 2 cm
Height: 1.5 cm

Food Tray  

Convenient tray for offering food to your ants. It's easy to place in any arena we sell. Can be used to administer a drop of sugar water or honeydew. Easy to clean and suitable for reuse.

Please note: we recommend still using a small piece of cotton in the food tray and offering the liquid in it. Otherwise, ants may drown by getting stuck in the liquid.

Specifications:  

Length: 3.2 cm
Width: 1.5 cm
Height: 0.5 cm
Hole depth: 0.3 cm
Hole diameter: 1 cm

Deluxe Feeding Tray  

Handy tray for offering food to your ants. It is easy to place in any arena we sell (note: does not fit in the feeding dish).
This deluxe version of the feeding tray makes it very easy indeed, as you have space for all food sources suitable for every ant species. These include honeydew, sugar water, and fruit flies. Clearly indicated with the correct letter above the hole for the food. Easy to clean and suitable for reuse.

Please note: we advise still using a small piece of cotton wool in the feeding tray and offering the liquid in it. Otherwise, ants may drown if they get stuck in the liquid.
 

Dimensions  

The feeding tray is 5 by 2 centimeters and 0.5 cm high. The openings are 0.25 cm deep.

Nutrition set  

This nutrition set provides a good foundation for caring for your ants. This set is suitable for all ant species. If you have harvest ants (Messor barbarus), which also live on seeds, then choose the deluxe nutrition set which includes seeds.

This set consists of the following components:

- Fruit flies
- Sugar water
- Honeydew

Nutrition set seeds  

This nutrition set is complete for the care of your ants. The seeds are suitable as a food source for harvester ants (Messor). Other ant species do not use the seeds (Lasius | black garden ant) or use them sparingly (Pheidole | big-headed ant).

The set consists of the following components:

- Fruit flies
- Sugar water
- Honeydew
- Seeds
 

Food set deluxe  

This food set is completely comprehensive for caring for your ants. This set is suitable for all ant species. If you have harvest ants (Messor barbarus), which also live on seeds, then choose the deluxe food set including seeds.

This set consists of the following components:

- Fruit flies
- Sugar water
- Honeydew
- Gelly
- Pipette
- Deluxe feeding platform
 

Deluxe Seed Feeding Set  

This feeding set is completely comprehensive for caring for your ants. The seeds are suitable as a food source for harvester ants (Messor). Other ant species do not use the seeds (Lasius | black garden ant) or use them sparingly (Pheidole | big-headed ant).

The set consists of the following components:

- Fruit flies
- Sugar water
- Honeydew
- Gelly
- Seeds
- Pipette
- Deluxe feeding platform
 

Fruit Fly Breeding Kit

Create your own fruit fly culture  

With this kit, you can set up your own fruit fly culture. Suitable for feeding your ants, praying mantises, poison dart frogs, and other animals. Please note: use immediately upon receipt, as the included fruit flies have a short lifespan.

The fruit flies are bred so that they cannot fly.
 

Contents of the breeding kit  

– Breeding container;
– Manual;
– Bag of culture medium;
– Bag of wood wool;
– 30+ fruit flies.

Not included  

– Measuring cup with 50 ml hot water;
– Something to stir with

Introduction  

Follow the instructions very carefully, and within a few weeks, you will have thousands of fruit flies with this culture. Do not use the included fruit flies as food; they are only intended for breeding.

Please note: use immediately upon receipt, as the included fruit flies have a short lifespan.
 

Fruit cup holder rock

A handy and sturdy holder to offer your fruit cup in. With a tough rock look! The fruit cup holder is made of resin plastic and has a natural wood appearance. Please note: colors may differ from the photo.

The fruit cup holder fits in an arena L and larger.

Specifications:

Length: 10 cm
Width: 7 cm
Height: 4 cm
*dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly in reality.

Fruit cup holder tree trunk

A handy and sturdy holder to offer your fruit cup in. With a tough tree trunk look! The fruit cup holder is made of resin plastic and has a natural wood look. Please note: colors may differ from the photo.

The fruit cup holder even fits in an arena M.

Specifications:

Length: 6.5 cm
Width: 6 cm
Height: 4 cm
*dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly in reality.

Feeder Tower  

An excellent tool to provide your ants with liquid food. This 5 ml glass tube connects to the 3D printed base. When you place it in your arena, the ants can easily drink the liquid from the reservoir.

This product is also easy to clean. Make sure the food does not get moldy. A great solution to provide ants with food for longer, for example, during your holiday.

Feeder Tower XL

An excellent tool for providing your ants with liquid food. This 15 ml glass tube connects to the 3D printed base. When placed in your arena, the ants can easily drink the liquid from the reservoir.

This product is also easy to clean. Make sure the food does not get moldy. A great solution to provide your ants with food for longer, for example, during your holiday.

Feeder cube  

Handy  

This feeder cube is simple, but perfectly suited for its purpose. You can use it to offer food to your ants.

The container has the following dimensions:
- 2.5 cm wide
- 3 cm high (including lid)
- 3.5 cm long

You can fill this feeder with water as a moisture reserve. Optionally, you can also fill it with honeydew or sugar water. Make sure to clean this feeder every week.
 

Barn mini arena  

Handy  

This feeding dish is simple, but perfectly suited for its purpose. You can use it to offer food to your ants, and it can be connected on both sides.

The dish has the following dimensions:
- 5 cm diameter
- 2.5 cm height (including lid)
- 10 mm connectors

We supply this feeding dish including a small piece of connecting tube and 1 end cap! The connecting tube is intended for connection to an arena or Ant Farm nest. If you want to connect a test tube, you will also need a black test tube connector. You can find these under 'connection materials'. You will receive the connector for free if you also order an ant colony in the same order.

Possibilities  

You can easily provide the dish with a layer of sand and/or a few small stones. Then, offer honeydew, sugar, fruit flies, or other food in it. This way, you can create a nice feeding spot.

The dish is hermetically sealed, so there is no escape risk!

If you are not using an opening, you can leave it sealed with the end cap.
 

Feeder cube  

Handy  

This feeder cube is simple, yet perfectly suited for its purpose. You can use it to offer food to your ants.

The container has the following dimensions:
- 2 cm wide
- 2.5 cm high (including lid)

You can fill this feeder with water as a moisture reserve. You can also fill it with honeydew or sugar water. Make sure to clean this feeder every week.
 

Ants Are Heroes

With every ant set or individual ant colony purchased, you receive a full-colour instruction booklet. Therefore, "Ants Are Heroes" is no longer necessary.

But whether you have purchased a product from antfarm.co.uk or are simply interested in the life of ants, this booklet will help you with background information about your ants.

You can find ants everywhere around you: in the garden, in the forest, under stones, sometimes even in your home. They are often seen as pests, but in doing so, we do these animals an injustice. An old saying goes: 'Go to the ant, consider its ways and be wise' (King Solomon, Proverbs 6:6 from the Bible). You will find that the more you see of these creatures, the more you will appreciate them. You can truly learn from them. An ant colony is a wonder of nature.

In this booklet, you will find all sorts of interesting facts and background information about ants. Good to know when studying ants, but also useful for, for example, a presentation or talk.

Happy reading!

Jan-Peter Oudenampsen

Wood wool for Fruit fly breeding kit

Wood wool, enough to start a new culture in our separate plastic breeding jars with ventilated lids. The breeding jars are also available separately. Mix the culture medium (also sold separately) with lukewarm water until well blended; somewhat firm, but not liquid (like yogurt). Then place this wood wool in the jar and your culture is ready. Add at least 50 fruit flies and find a nice warm spot in your home.

The bag contains enough for setting up 1 fruit fly culture.

Please note: when using individual components, we cannot guarantee their effectiveness. If you want to have everything in the correct quantities, please order the complete fruit fly breeding kit or refill on our website.

Loose plastic breeding pot

Loose breeding pot including ventilation grille

This plastic breeding pot is intended for breeding fruit flies. Due to the ventilation grille in the lid, the pot is also suitable for keeping other (small) insects.
 

Specifications

The plastic breeding pot is 11 cm high and has a diameter of 9 cm.

Fruit Fly Culture Medium

Culture medium, enough to start a new culture in our separate plastic breeding pots with ventilated lids. The breeding pots are also available separately. Mix the culture medium with lukewarm water until it is well blended; it should be firm but not liquid (like yogurt). Then place cardboard shavings or wood wool in the pot, and your culture is ready. Add at least 50 fruit flies and find a nice warm spot in the house.

The bag contains approximately 50 grams, suitable for starting 1 fruit fly culture.

Please note: we cannot guarantee the effectiveness when using individual components. If you want everything in the correct quantities, order the complete fruit fly culture or refill on our website.

Pipette for administering fluid.

Capacity: 3 ml
Size: 15 cm

Tweezers straight - Size XL  

Usage  

A handy pair of tweezers for use when caring for your insects. Subtly remove waste from your enclosure or add food in a specific spot.

Specifications  

The tweezers are size XL, 30 cm long, and have a gripping angle of approximately 5 cm. It is a completely sturdy, straight model.

Tweezer straight - Size L  

Use  

A handy pair of tweezers for use in the care of your insects. Subtly remove waste from your enclosure or add food to a specific spot.

Specifications  

The tweezers are size L and are 20 cm long with a gripping angle of approximately 4 cm. It is a completely sturdy, straight model.