Cricket Jam — Protein Food for Ants

Larvae are the part of a colony that needs protein. Adult workers run mostly on carbohydrate, but the grubs grow on animal protein, and a steady supply is what turns a slow founding colony into a fast-growing one. Cricket Jam delivers that protein in the form ants recognise — real cricket — worked into a paste, so there is nothing to gut-load or thaw. Same nutrition as live feeding, without the husbandry around it.

Keepers of omnivorous and carnivorous species who want protein on hand year-round: beginners feeding a first colony, breeders running several setups, and anyone who would rather not keep a culture of live crickets at home. It suits colonies of every size — scale the portion to the number of workers.

Scoop a small amount, pea-sized for a medium colony, onto a flat surface in the outworld. A drinking plate or a scrap of foil works well and keeps the paste off the substrate. Workers usually find it within hours and carry it to the brood. Refresh every one to two days and remove any uneaten paste before it dries, so mould and mites never get a foothold. Offer it more often through heavy brood production, much less during a winter rest.

Keep the jar in the fridge once opened. For a small colony that feeds slowly, split the contents into portions and freeze what you will not use soon, so none of it spoils. Always feed from a clean surface and clear leftovers promptly — that single habit prevents most arena hygiene problems.

Run Cricket Jam alongside our carbohydrate jellies, which fuel the adult workers, for a complete diet. A drinking dish, soft feeding tweezers and a small arena complete a tidy feeding station. Harvester keepers should look to our grain sets instead, since those species feed mainly on seeds.

Does Cricket Jam replace live feeding?
For most species, mostly yes — it is a clean, convenient protein source that covers brood-rearing. A few species still enjoy the occasional live-prey hunt, so offer one now and then if you like.

Does it smell?
Only mildly when fresh. Once it is spread in the arena, replace it within a day or two to keep it from drying and to avoid any mould.

How do I store it?
Refrigerate after opening and use within about 7 days. Better still, freeze spare portions, especially for a small colony you feed slowly, so nothing goes to waste.

Which ants is it for?
Omnivorous and carnivorous species such as Camponotus, Lasius, Pheidole and Myrmica. Pure granivores like Messor live mainly on seeds, though they will also take a little protein for the brood.

How much do I give?
A pea-sized amount for a medium colony, less for a founding one. Let the workers finish it, then offer more next time rather than overfeeding.

Do you ship outside the EU?
Yes. We dispatch within 24 h from Poland with tracked delivery across the EU, the UK and worldwide.

A note on care: each item is built for a specific job — please use it only as intended. Responsibility for correct, safe use rests with the keeper; ANTonTOP accepts no liability for misuse or damage from improper use.