<p>In social insects, foraging behavior is shaped not only by individual physiological needs but also by the demands of the colony. While larval cues are known to initiate protein-foraging in ants, the mechanisms that terminate protein-foraging once larval demands are met remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally tested two potential regulators of how protein-foraging can be downregulated in the ant <i>Temnothorax longispinosus</i>: (1) reduced larval signaling after feeding, and (2) the presence of excess protein food inside the nest. Using split-nest designs that physically separated larvae and foragers, we manipulated food access and recorded protein-foraging over time. We found that foragers reduced protein-foraging shortly after protein was introduced into the nest, regardless of whether larvae could consume it. These findings suggest that the presence of protein stores is sufficient for reducing protein-foraging in <i>T. longispinosus</i>. Our results align with similar findings in honey bees and support a broader model in which social insect foragers use in-nest nutrient abundance as a primary cue to downregulate foraging intensity. This strategy may allow colonies to quickly adjust foraging efforts without requiring energetically costly changes in brood-derived signals. Identifying the chemical cues mediating this response may provide key insights into the regulation of nutrient flux in insect societies.</p>