Venus Fly Traps are arguably one of the coolest and most unique plants to own, right? I mean what other plant do you know that snacks on bugs?
There are probably a few more out there, but this one is definitely the most well-known.
Their uniqueness makes them a very popular option for many different plant owners, but it is imperative that you know how to correctly feed your fly trap if you have one.
Which is probably why you’re here, trying to find out if they can actually eat ants.
Well, I can confidently say that, yes, Venus fly traps are very partial to the (more than) occasional ant. They have the appropriate levels of nutrition for the plant to be a prime dinnertime candidate.
In this article, we’re going to delve a little deeper into the relationship between ants and Venus fly traps and how to feed them to your plant. So stick around, you won’t want to miss this.
Can Venus Fly Traps Eat Ants?
Yes, they can. And they do. Often. Sometimes people can get a little confused when it comes to Venus fly traps, there’s this misconception that they only eat flies, but despite their name, this actually isn’t the case.
Venus fly traps eat plenty more than just flies. In fact, they are happy to munch on a whole host of different insects, bugs, and creepy crawlies.
You name it, mosquitos, caterpillars, beetles, gnats, slugs, worms, crickets…they’ll have a good munch on them all.
And, of course, you cannot forget ants. They love to eat ants too. And really they’re one of the best options since they have all the nutrition they need and are the perfect size.
You see, many bugs and critters that Venus fly traps want to eat are just a bit too large. They don’t fit in their leaves easily and are much harder to capture.
But an ant? Well, that’s no issue at all.
Are Ants Attracted To Venus Fly Traps?
Yes, they are. As are many other animals within the kingdom. Think of this plant like a predator. Some predators have speed, some have claws, some have fantastic eyesight…and the list goes on.
Each predator usually has some special feature that assists in their hunt or kills. Something that sets them apart from their prey. And Venus fly traps are no different.
So what is a Venus Fly traps ‘super power’? Well, they produce a super sweet nectar inside their leaves that delivers their prey right to them.
Ants, and similar bugs, seek out this delicious-smelling nectar and then meet their grizzly end when they wander into the plant’s trap.
Feeding Venus Fly Traps
Outdoor Vs Indoor Venus Fly Traps
When it comes to feeding your venus fly trap, it’s important to know the difference between an indoor and an outdoor plant.
Now, there isn’t necessarily a difference between the two plants themselves, just their circumstances.
What I mean by this is that an outdoor plant really doesn’t require feeding anywhere near as often as an indoor plant.
When a Venus fly trap is outside, it has unlimited access to all the different bugs and creepy crawlies that meander through your garden.
So, it’s probably pretty self-sufficient at snacking on a few ants here and there, along with whatever else it can lure into its trap.
However, there are far fewer insects and bugs inside your home. Or at least, you’d certainly hope that was the case.
Because they don’t really have the access to munch away on the insects nearby, you will need to feed them yourself to ensure that they are receiving the essential nutrients they need from their prey.
Dead Vs Alive Ants
If you need to feed your indoor plant, or just want to give your outdoor plant an extra snack, you may also have questions about whether you should feed them ants that are dead or alive.
Well, technically, it doesn’t really matter. Regardless of which method you choose, they’ll still provide the necessary nutrients to the plant.
However, in terms of ease and convenience, you may want to opt for dead ants.
Why? Well, ants are pretty small and incredibly quick when they get going. If you capture a live ant, you can expect it to try its utmost to escape.
And catching a fleeing ant is likely to prove pretty difficult for you. Not only this but due to their small size, the ant might also escape from the plants ‘mouth’ before the trap closes completely.
For these reasons, I would suggest feeding the plant dead ants as it is simply a lot less hassle.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Select Your Victim – The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain your ant. You should aim for it to be around a third of the size of the trap.
- Find The Trigger Hairs – The plant’s lobes will have three trigger hairs in a triangular pattern. These hairs must be touched twice for the plant to close its trap.
- Feed The Venus Fly Trap – Place the bug into the jaws of the plant, aiming for the center. Then activate the trigger hairs to close the trap.
- Stimulate The Trigger For Feeding – Using a soft tool or your finer excerpt gentle and consistent pulses until the trap fully closes.
- Observe – Monitor the leaves and verify the process was completed successfully. Keep in mind that this can take several days or weeks.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Yes, Venus Fly Traps can eat ants. And not only can they, but they really enjoy eating them too.
Ants are pretty much the perfect size for the plant and also provide them with the necessary nutrients that they need to survive.
So, if you’re looking to feed your hungry Venus Fly Trap you can never go wrong by letting them much on a fair few ants.