Beginner | Easy Ant Species for First-Time Keepers

What Beginner means

Beginner species are the easiest ants to keep and the best place to start. They are hardy, forgiving of small mistakes and happy at normal room temperature, so they need no special equipment to thrive. Most come from the UK or Europe and are used to our climate.

Who it suits

First-time keepers, children with adult help, families and schools. If you have never kept ants before, start here.

What to expect

• Room temperature suits most of them; Messor harvester ants need a small heater from late September.

• Feeding is simple: protein jelly and honey or Ant Nectar twice a week, in the outworld only.

• They grow steadily, and you will see eggs, larvae and new workers within weeks.

• Most are harmless. A few, like Myrmica rubra, can sting, so they suit older children best.

Our favourite starter species

Lasius niger (Black Garden Ant) and Messor barbarus (Harvester Ant). Our Lucas and Angie kits come with everything ready to go, including a built-in digital temperature and humidity meter.

Every Best Ants UK care sheet is free and written by our team, keeping ants since 1997.