5. Improper feeding of ants
The diet of ants can be conditionally divided into 2 components: carbohydrates and protein, since the influence of vitamins and trace elements on the condition of the inhabitants of the anthill is so far at the research stage. Carbohydrates are mainly consumed by adults for energy purposes, protein is intensively absorbed by the larvae for growth and development, and by the mother to cover the protein costs associated with egg production. Not all ant species need both components equally, and the sources of protein and carbohydrate vary. If there is no balance between them, it leads to the ants failing to develop, refusing to eat and dying. The same thing happens when feeding unfamiliar food: reaper ants poorly absorb carbohydrates from sugar syrup (which, with a high concentration and the absence of a drinking bowl, also causes dehydration) because they are used to getting everything they need from the seed.
Troubleshoot the problem: Before buying a particular species of ant, find out its nutritional requirements. In case of delayed development or cannibalism, the protein content of the diet should be increased.
Almost any problem in ant care that can cause colony growth and worker death can be prevented if detected early. Even if everything is bad, it is still possible to save the animals. But usually, after a neglected accident, very few ants remain on the farm. If the problem is resolved and there are only 10 ants left, the only thing that cannot be done is to leave a handful of workers in the formicaria. A small number of specimens on a large farm are inconvenient, unused space scares them, they do not go out into the arena, they do not take out the garbage, which may cause an outbreak of the disease again. They should be transferred back to the incubator tube, where it is much easier to maintain stable conditions.