7 Best Ants for Young Beginners: Perfect Starter Species for Children

Your child wants to start their ant-keeping experience with the perfect species? Not all ants make great pets for newcomers to observe and care for.

The right ant species will help you succeed from day one. Black Garden Ants (Lasius Niger), Yellow Meadow Ants (Lasius Flavus), Red Fire Ants (Myrmica Rubra), and Common Black Harvester Ants (Messor Barbarus) are the best choices for UK beginners. These ants' docile nature and steady growth rates make them perfect starter species.

For those of you brave souls who were running under the dining table in diapers over a decade ago, we dare you to take the plunge into the wild world of exotic ants with the Camponotus nicobarensis. It's like the Indiana Jones of the ant kingdom!

These beginner-friendly ants stand out for several reasons. The Lasius species naturally lives in the UK. Black Garden Ants are gentle creatures without bite or stings, which makes them safe pets for children and first-time keepers. These amazing insects also boast impressive lifespans. A queen can live up to 30 years, while worker ants typically last 1-2 years. The very first workers, known as nanitics, live around 4-6 months.

New ant keepers will appreciate these species' affordable price points. You can get started with Lasius niger at £7.99, Lasius flavus at £11.99, Messor barbarus at £11.99, or Myrmica rubra at £18.99. These available options let you head over to the fascinating world of ant keeping without spending too much.

These price tags pertain solely to queen ants. We advise beginning with a smaller colony instead, a queen with 10+ workers. Why? A solitary queen ant is significantly more vulnerable without assistance. Consider this logically.

Parental supervision is highly recommended, especially during the initial setup and maintenance routines.

We must warn you: An unsupervised five-year-old can easily break open an ant nest and have ants making themselves at home under the sofa! What we recommend is that age 6, with supervision, is the perfect starting point for kids to independently enjoy the fascinating world of ant keeping.

For older children and teenagers with an interest in myrmecology, a Harvester Ant farm provides an excellent introduction. It serves as a foundational step before advancing to more complex species, such as exotic (Asian) ants, which are recommended for individuals aged 14 and above.

There are specific types of ants that we advise against recommending for people under 18. You might wonder why this is the case.

While leafcutters, weavers, and trap-jaw ants are indeed intriguing, these species are not well-suited to our climate. Additionally, it is important to consider the risk associated with handling some of the most dangerous ants in the world, which could result in painful stings.

Trap-jaw ant stings are intensely painful, often described as an immediate, searing, or burning sensation, and are ranked among the top 25 most painful insect stings in the world.

Lasius Niger - Black Garden Ants - Ants for Beginners

Black garden ants (Lasius niger) are the perfect way to start your ant-keeping adventure. These little creatures are one of Europe's most common ant species. Their tough nature and fascinating behaviour make them a great choice for newcomers.

Lasius Niger Appearance and Behaviour

The workers range from 3-5mm long, with dark brown to black colouring that gives them their name. New colonies produce smaller first-generation workers because resources are limited during the early stages. The colony's growth brings more food, and later generations become larger. The queens are much bigger, at 8-11mm long. They have a glossy black look with occasional yellowish-brown stripes on their abdomen.

These ants might be aggressive toward other species, but they're harmless to humans. Their mandibles can't hurt human skin, so they're safe pets for both beginners and children. A single queen runs each colony (monogyne). Most colonies in nature have 4,000 to 7,000 workers, though some exceptional ones grow to 25,000 members.

The life expectancy between different ant types shows remarkable variation. Queens can live up to 28 years and 9 months in the best conditions. Workers usually live just 1-2 years. This queen's longevity lets beginners watch their colony develop over many years.

Lasius Niger Nesting Habits

These busy insects build their nests in damp soil in nature. They often dig beneath stones or along pavement edges. They're practical builders who sometimes take over nests from other ant species like Lasius flavus, using their numbers and force.

The ants prefer soil beds next to walls instead of grassy areas. Young queens stay away from lawns while looking for nesting spots. This might be because lawns house rival species or because soil beds are easier to dig.

Pet keepers benefit from the ants' adaptable nature. The ants do well in many home setups, including acrylic, wooden, or 3D printed environments. Simple soil works perfectly as their nesting material. Avoid the ytong nests.

Ytong becomes a toxic material (releases toxic gas) when moistened.

Lasius Niger Feeding Habits

The sort of thing I love about black garden ants is their varied diet. Unlike picky eaters, these ants forage everywhere, above and below ground, eating many different foods.

Their natural menu includes:

• Insects and arthropods (flies, crickets, beetles, woodlice)

• Insect larvae and caterpillars

• Honeydew from aphids

• Nectar and sweet substances

Pet ants happily eat simple foods. Sugar water, honey water, or fruits (especially apples and grapes) provide carbohydrates. Small insects or insect parts give them protein, which helps brood development and the queen's egg production.

Lasius Niger Care Tips

Success with these ants comes from following basic care guidelines:

Room temperature (20-27°C) suits them fine. A heat gradient lets them choose their preferred spot. The colony needs winter hibernation at around 8-10°C from October through March for good health.

These ants need less moisture than most tropical species. They thrive in 70-80% humidity.

Small colonies (queen with fewer than 10 workers) need a test tube setup to feel secure. Add a small foraging area once you see 11-15 workers. Colonies with 15–100 workers should move to a proper formicarium that fits their size.

Feed protein-rich foods twice-weekly and keep carbohydrate sources fresh. Remove uneaten protein after a few days to stop mould growth.

Black garden ants are the perfect starter species. Their tough nature, interesting behaviours, and simple care needs make them ideal for anyone starting their ant-keeping adventure.

Lasius Flavus - Yellow Meadow Ants - Ants for Beginners

Yellow meadow ants (Lasius flavus) make a great first choice for new ant keepers. Their bright colours and underground lifestyle create an amazing spectacle through specialised ant farms. These gentle creatures let beginners watch a colony's inner workings up close.

Lasius Flavus Appearance and Behaviour

The bright yellow to light brown workers give these ants their name. Their glossy bodies stand out from other beginner-friendly species. Queens show a darker yellow shade and grow much larger at 7-10mm, while workers stay between 2-4mm. Males (drones) fall between these sizes at 3.5-4.5mm and turn darker with wings when breeding season arrives.

These ants' shy nature sets them apart. They spend most of their time underground and rarely come to the surface unless something disturbs them. Life below ground has changed its bodies over time. Their eyes stay small, and their bodies lack the dark colouring you see in surface-dwelling relatives.

Colonies can have one queen (monogyne) or several queens (polygyne).

Multiple queens might start a colony together, but fights usually leave just one queen as the colony grows. Mature colonies sometimes keep several queens and can grow to 250,000 workers living in connected (satellite) nests.

Queens can live an amazing 20+ years when conditions are right. Workers live much shorter lives, usually up to 2 years, but keep the colony running throughout their lifetime.

Lasius Flavus Nesting Habits

These ants build distinctive round mounds in grassy areas. The mounds help control temperature and moisture for their underground chambers, which can go down a meter deep.

Workers dig soil and shape it into domes above their nests. These anthills become tiny ecosystems over time. They bring chalk to the surface and create special soil conditions that help different plants grow.

Pet colonies do best in soil-based ant farms that match their natural home. Plaster or sand-clay mixes work well, too. The key is giving them material they can tunnel through, just like in nature.

Lasius Flavus Feeding Habits

These ants get most of their food from root aphids they raise in their nests. This clever strategy means they rarely need to go above ground. They also eat small bugs and sometimes even their aphid herds during winter.

Pet colonies need a balanced diet:

• Carbohydrates: Sugar water, honey, or fruit gives them energy

• Protein: Small insects like mealworms or crickets help the colony grow

Feed them every 2-3 days and adjust portions based on colony size. A small colony of about 50 workers needs just a rice-grain-sized bit of cricket mash.

Lasius Flavus Care Tips

These ants thrive at 20-25°C during active times. They need more moisture than other species, about 70-80%, since they come from damp environments.

Winter rest helps keep colonies healthy. Lower the temperature slowly to 10°C from late October through March, dropping it 0.2-0.3 degrees each day. A cool room works fine if you don't have special cooling equipment.

Housing needs change as colonies grow:

• Queens with eggs need test tubes and lots of peace

• Small colonies under 15 workers stay in test tubes, but start regular meals

• Medium colonies of 15-50 workers need an outworld to look for food

• Bigger colonies with over 50 workers should move to proper small ant farms

Check food and water daily, and clean out waste and old food weekly. Remove leftover food after 1-2 days so mould doesn't grow.

Yellow meadow ants make perfect starter pets. Their underground lifestyle fascinates observers, and they don't need complicated care. They open up an amazing window into the hidden world of ant colonies.

Myrmica Rubra - Red Ants - Ants for Beginners

Myrmica Rubra (European fire ants) are perfect for ant keepers looking for a bit more adventure. These ants stand out with their red colouring and spirited personality. You'll find these medium-sized creatures under stones or paving slabs in gardens. They make great pets if you're ready to handle their special care needs.

Myrmica Rubra Appearance and Behaviour

These workers show off a beautiful reddish-brown to orange-brown colour. Their heads and abdomens are a bit darker. Each worker grows to 4-6mm long, which makes them quite different from other starter species. The queens are a touch bigger at 5.5-8mm and darker.

The sort of thing we love about this species is that it has two types of queens - regular ones and "micro queens" that look like workers but have larger thoraxes.

These ants don't mess around. They pack a punch with their sting that feels like a stinging nettle. They move fast and won't think twice about defending their turf. You'll spot them by their unique "boss style" walk. While they might seem tough, these colonies can thrive for just a couple of years. Queens can live up to 2-3 years.

Myrmica Rubra Nesting Habits

These ants love humid spots in nature. They build their homes in wet meadows, grassy areas, and places with lots of moss. Their nests pop up in dirt or sand, usually under stones or objects that hold heat. This clever placement keeps them safe from predators and helps them control their nest temperature.

The way Myrmica Rubra build their nests makes it great for beginners. A single colony can grow to 20,000 workers with multiple queens. They're skilled architects, using twigs, grass, and conifer needles to build dome-shaped structures. Since they can have several queens (polygynous), colonies grow faster when cared for properly. Still, they are super fast-growing, so stick to no more than 3 queens at once.

Myrmica Rubra Feeding Habits

These hungry little creatures eat almost anything but love their protein. Their natural menu includes:

• Small insects and their larvae

• Honeydew from aphids (they actually "farm" these tiny bugs)

• Sweet substances like the fANTastic ant nectar

Pet colonies do well with a mix of sugar water or ant honey. Add protein sources like crushed insects - flies, crickets, or locusts work great. They need protein 2-3 times each week, plus regular access to carbs. Here's a pro tip: give the insects a quick 10-15 second boil to kill any nasty microbes and mites before feeding.

Myrmica Rubra Care Tips

A healthy Myrmica Rubra colony needs the right environment. Keep temperatures between 20-26°C (68-77°F) when they're active. These ants need more humidity than most starter species - aim for 70-80%. This matches what they'd find in nature.

Winter rest plays a big role in colony health. These ants naturally slow down and huddle together when it gets cold. Let them hibernate at 8-10°C from around October through March. Unlike other ants, Myrmica Rubra keep their food and babies in the nest during winter.

House them in a formicarium that lets air flow and controls moisture.

Use soil-loam-sand substrate as a base. Start new colonies in test tubes, then transfer them to larger containers as they grow.

These ants might ask more of you than other starter species. But their unique behaviour and eye-catching looks make them worth the extra effort for beginners ready to level up their ant-keeping game.

Messor Barbarus - Harvester Ants - Ants for Beginners

Messor barbarus (harvester ants) are a great choice for beginners who want eye-catching ants with interesting behaviours. These hard-working insects live all across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Their unique seed-harvesting lifestyle makes them a perfect introduction to myrmecology.

Messor Barbarus Appearance and Behaviour

These ants show amazing size differences among workers. You'll find tiny 3mm minors working alongside much bigger 14mm majors. They're easy to spot with their red head and black body. The red head helps tell them apart from similar-looking species. The queen is a big deal as it means that she measures 15-18mm, making her one of Europe's largest ant queens.

Each colony has just one queen in charge. The workers split into three main groups:

• Minor workers (3-7mm): Take care of the brood and the queen

• Media workers (6-10mm): Keep up the nest and process food

• Major workers/soldiers (up to 14mm): Guard the colony and handle larger seeds

These ants are friendly toward humans. They can't sting, and even the bigger majors only give gentle bites that tickle more than hurt. The sort of thing we love about them is how they form long foraging lines stretching up to 200 meters from their nest entrance to collect seeds.

Messor Barbarus Nesting Habits

In nature, these ants prefer sandy soil and areas with shrubs. They dig amazing underground tunnels up to 3 feet deep. Their nests might have one or several entrances, often decorated with pebbles, charcoal, or bits of dead plants.

These busy diggers love to excavate, and giving them substrate in captivity lets them follow their natural instincts. All the same, colonies need different humidity levels - higher (65-75%) where they nest and lower (50-55%) in foraging areas. This setup lets them store seeds in drier spots to stop mould from growing.

A mature colony can support around 7,000 workers. The queen can live an amazing 20-25 years with proper care. This means these ants need a steadfast dedication from keepers who want to give them the right care.

Messor Barbarus Feeding Habits

These harvester ants live up to their name. We watched them turn seeds into "ant bread" - their main food source. Workers gather seeds and take them to special storage rooms called granaries. They crack open seeds with their strong mandibles, chew the soft parts inside, mix them with water, and make a nutritious paste that feeds everyone in the colony.

New ant keepers should aim to give one seed per ant each month. Good seed choices include:

• Small seeds for young colonies: Chia, sesame, poppy, hemp, etc.

• Larger seeds as colonies grow: Sunflower, grass seed, millet, etc.

Seeds are their main food, but adding protein and carbs helps keep the colony healthy. Give them protein (tiny insects, protein jelly) every two weeks, plus sweet treats like honey or fruit now and then. Remember to clean out uneaten food after 2-3 days to prevent mould.

Do not feed harvester ants bird seed mix; it's often contaminated and full of mites. Buy harvester ants' food from reputable sellers ONLY.

Messor Barbarus Care Tips

Temperature control is straightforward. Keep the nest at 22-26°C and the foraging area at 20-28°C. Room temperature works fine, but having temperature differences helps baby ants develop better.

Hibernation boosts long-term health, though first-year colonies don't need it. From November to February, lower temperatures of 14-15°C for about six to eight weeks. You can just move the formicarium to a cooler room if you don't have special equipment. The hibernation process is not a must for these ants.

These ants are different from others when it comes to water. They get moisture from their seed bread, so they don't need regular water feeders and might ignore them. Provide a water dispensing test tube instead. Focus on keeping proper humidity through good nest design instead.

Housing should grow with your colony. Start with a test tube for founding colonies, then add foraging space once you have 15+ workers. When worker numbers pass 15, it's time to upgrade to a proper small formicarium. Acrylic, or 3D-printed PLA nests with substrate filling, work great if they keep the right humidity levels.

Messor barbarus ants are perfect for those ready to move with the best starter species. They look amazing, have fascinating seed-harvesting habits, and need moderate care. These features make them available to newcomers while offering more challenges than basic species.

Formica Fusca - Silky Ants

Silky ants (Formica fusca) are one of the best ants for beginners. Their strong nature, interesting behaviours, and simple care needs make them perfect starter pets. These glossy black insects have a distinctive silken sheen that makes them fascinating to watch as they move and adapt to their environment.

For me, the author of this article, Formica fusca was the first ant species I discovered when I was just 11, and I was absolutely captivated by their size and speed! No other ants could bring me more joy.

That was 35 years ago, and back then, there were no ant sellers around, so I had to embark on an adventure to find a fertilised queen myself. It took me two years of exploring the forest, but the effort was totally worth it!

Meanwhile, I collected workers to examine their behaviour and feeding preferences.

I ran my own little bug metropolis for a couple of years, but then I packed my bags for college. Apparently, my six-legged roommates didn’t make the cut for dorm life!

Formica Fusca Appearance and Behaviour

These ants stand out with their glossy, dark brown to black exoskeleton that has a slight metallic shine. Worker ants are 4-8mm long, while queens are much bigger at 9-12mm. The males fall between these sizes at 7-9mm, bigger than workers but smaller than queens.

These ants are quite shy by nature. They grab their brood and run away when something disturbs them instead of defending their space. This nervous behaviour comes from their natural development - slave-making ant species often target them in the wild. Their colonies stay small with about 500-2,000 workers, which makes them easy to manage for new ant keepers.

Formica Fusca Nesting Habits

Wild silky ants like to live in open woodlands, meadows, and grasslands where the soil is loose and sandy. You'll often find their nests under stones, in tree stumps, or sometimes in turfy banks where they build earth nests.

Pet colonies do best in acrylic or glass formicariums that let in enough air. These flexible creatures thrive in sandy or loamy substrate that feels like their natural home. They don't need huge nests but love having multiple connected outworlds with long tubes where they can run around.

Formica Fusca Feeding Habits

These ants eat both plants and animals, but we found that there was a preference for small insects, aphid honeydew, and plant fluids in nature. They lean more towards animal matter with sugar as a backup food source.

Pet colonies need protein food 2-4 times each week, plus a small, steady supply of sugar water or sweet fruits like bananas and grapes. These smart foragers are super-quick to tell their nestmates when they find food.

Formica Fusca Care Tips

Here's what you need for happy, healthy ants:

• Temperature: 20-25°C (68-77°F)

• Humidity: 60-70%, a bit higher where they keep their brood

• Lighting: Natural light but not direct sun

Keep your ant colony in a quiet spot away from loud noises and shaking that might scare them. Check their barriers often since these ants are great climbers and love to explore.

A good winter rest helps colonies thrive, and they burst into action during summer. Daily checks of food and water, plus twice-a-week cleaning of waste and old food, will keep your colony healthy.

Camponotus Nicobarensis - Carpenter Ants - Ants for Advanced Beginners

Camponotus Nicobarensis Appearance and Behaviour

Introducing the Camponotus Nicobarensis - Carpenter Ant, a fascinating and unique ant species from Asia that will captivate both beginners and enthusiasts. These ants are renowned for their rapid growth, making them a popular choice among ant keepers. Found nesting in rotten wood trunks, these ants are known as carpenter ants.

My favourite Asian ants, often called exotic, are highly recommended as the second-best choice for teen newbies among British ant-keepers, right after the Messor barbarus!

Camponotus Nicobarensis Nesting Habits

With their easy maintenance and higher climate requirements, these Camponotus nicobarensis ants are a delight to care for. They come in two variations: Monogyne, with a single queen per colony, or Polygyny, with multiple queens depending on their origin. Often used in STEM projects in the UK.

The queens are fully claustral (do not require food until first workers hatch), ranging from 15 to 16mm in size, have a robust thorax and can live up to an astonishing 25 years.

The workers display polymorphism, with sizes ranging from 6 to 12mm. They share the same reddish-brown colour as the queen. All exotic (Asian) Carpenter queens lay eggs in batches, from 3 to 12 eggs. The majors are super big-headed with massive mandibles.

Development time is between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the ant nest's temperature. The warmer the faster. If you keep your ant nest at 28°C, then you can expect egg to adult worker developing time of 28 days!

Camponotus Nicobarensis Feeding Habits

Feeding these ants is a breeze! They thrive on honey and insects like fruit flies, crickets, and locusts. You can also treat them with Protein Jelly and Cricket mash, nutritious substitutes for live food. Skip the mess and awful smell of the live food.

Camponotus Nicobarensis Care Tips

Maintaining humidity levels of 50-55% in the outworld and 65-75% in the nest area ensures optimal conditions for these ants.

Temperature-wise, keep the outworld between 21°C and 35°C and the nest area between 22°C and 28 °C.

And here's the best part - these Camponotus nicobarensis ants don't hibernate! Making them an excellent choice for beginners looking for low-maintenance pets.

Experience the wonder of these exotic queen ants for yourself. Get your very own Camponotus Nicobarensis colony today!

An article you must read before you buy C. Nicobarensis:

Camponotus Nicobarensis Care Guide: A Captivating Exotic Carpenter Ant Species for Beginners

Got questions? Brilliant! We have answers!

Camponotus Nicobarensis - Frequently Asked Questions for Beginners and Advanced Ant-keepers

Temnothorax Nylanderi - Acorn Ants - Ants for Beginners

Temnothorax nylanderi (acorn ants) give ant-keeping enthusiasts a unique experience. These tiny marvels make great beginner-friendly species because they're peaceful and thrive in small spaces.

Temnothorax Nylanderi Appearance and Behaviour

These acorn ant workers show a distinct pale yellow to yellowish-brown colour with darker brown to black head and gaster. You can spot them easily among other species by their antennal clubs that match their antennae's color. The queens are a bit bigger and share similar colours.

These little critters are the ultimate winter warriors, chilling on the ground like it's no big deal. They're the planet's only species that can handle subzero temps for months without turning into popsicles.

Snuggled under the snow in European mountains, they have a cosy huddle party, like penguins, until spring decides to show up and bring the sun!

Most colonies have one queen with around 100-200 workers. Sometimes colonies split up in the spring when they find enough nesting spots. These ants do some pretty cool things socially, like tandem running, where experienced workers guide the younger ones during food hunts. They'll even merge colonies when nest sites are hard to find.

Temnothorax Nylanderi Nesting Habits

These tiny ants make their homes in parks and woodland areas. They're creative with their nesting spots, using hollow acorns, nut shells, old insect galleries, tree stumps, and spaces under bark. They prefer shady, protected spots and stay away from bright sunlight and heat.

Temnothorax Nylanderi Feeding Habits

Acorn ants aren't picky eaters. Their diet consists of:

• Carbohydrates from sugar water or diluted honey

• Protein from small insects like fruit flies and springtails

They use a neat trick called "tandem running" to show other ants where food is, using chemical signals and physical contact.

Temnothorax Nylanderi Care Tips

Taking care of these ants is straightforward. Keep their nest area at 20-25°C. The humidity should stay around 50-60%. They need to hibernate at 5-8°C from late October through March.

These tiny ants don't need much space. A whole colony can live happily in an acorn or walnut shell. This makes them perfect pets for people with limited space or those who can't keep regular pets.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

The first significant step to successful ant-keeping is picking the right ant species. This piece explores seven amazing species that make great companions for beginners. Each species brings something special to the table. The docile Lasius Niger needs simple care, while the eye-catching Messor Barbarus fascinates with its seed-harvesting behaviour. Lasius Flavus lets you peek into underground ant life, and Myrmica Rubra gives a bit more challenge with its feisty nature.

Your ant-keeping trip needs some thinking over. Space at home, time you can give, and how interested you are all matter. Temnothorax Nylanderi's small colonies work great in tight spaces. The larger Camponotus nicobarensis needs more room to grow well.

The comparison table helps you make your final pick quickly. Lasius Niger is a soaring win with beginners because it's tough and reasonably priced. You can buy ants for beginners from trusted sellers who'll set you up with the right mix of queens and workers to help your colony thrive.

Ant keeping rewards those who watch and wait patiently. These tiny creatures show behaviours that will fascinate you for years. Many species live a long time, too - some queens stay alive 28+ years with good care! Your choice might be the shy Formica Fusca, the hardworking Messor Barbarus, or any other species from our list. This hobby brings new finds, learning chances, and endless wonder at these amazing social insects.

In summary, our recommendations are as follows:

For children aged 6-10, we suggest the Lasius.

For ages 10-14, we highly recommend the Messors.

For those aged 15 and above, Rubras or Nicos are undoubtedly suitable choices.

Key Takeaways

Starting your ant-keeping journey becomes much easier when you choose the right beginner-friendly species that match your experience level and care capabilities.

• Lasius Niger (Black Garden Ants) are the ultimate beginner choice - docile, safe for children, live 28+ years, and thrive at room temperature with minimal care requirements.

• Consider colony size and space needs before choosing - Temnothorax Nylanderi needs only acorn-sized spaces while Camponotus Nicobarensis requires larger formicaria for 5,000+ workers.

• Temperature and humidity requirements vary significantly between species - Lasius Niger tolerates 70-80% humidity while Myrmica Rubra needs 75-85% for optimal health.

• Hibernation is essential for long-term colony success - most European species require around 10°C temperatures from October through March to maintain healthy development cycles.

• Start with affordable, hardy species to build confidence - Lasius Niger (£8.99) and Messor Barbarus (£11.99) offer excellent value while you learn proper ant-keeping techniques.

The key to successful ant keeping lies in matching species characteristics with your available time, space, and commitment level. These seven species provide diverse options from peaceful seed-harvesters to slightly more challenging stinging species, ensuring every beginner can find their perfect ant companion for years of fascinating observation and learning.

FAQs

Q1. What is the best ant species for complete beginners?

Lasius Niger (Black Garden Ants) is widely considered the best species for complete beginners. They are docile, easy to care for, and can thrive at room temperature with minimal maintenance.

Q2. How long do ant queens typically live?

Ant queen lifespans vary by species, but many can live for an impressively long time under proper care. For example, Lasius Niger queens can live up to 30 years, while Messor Barbarus queens may survive 20-25 years.

Q3. Do all ant species require hibernation?

Most European ant species benefit from a hibernation period, typically from October through March at temperatures around 10°C. However, some species, like first-year Messor Barbarus colonies, can survive without hibernation, though it's generally recommended for long-term health.

Q4. How often should I feed my ant colony?

Feeding frequency depends on the species and colony size. Generally, offer protein sources (like small insects) 2-3 times a week, with constant access to sugar water or ant honey. Always remove uneaten food after 1-2 days to prevent mould growth. Mould kills ants.

Q5. Can I keep multiple ant species together?

It's not recommended to keep different ant species together in the same formicarium. Most ant species are territorial and will fight or kill ants from other colonies or species. Each species should be housed separately to ensure its safety and well-being.