Keeping Ants: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in This
Fascinating Hobby

Ant keeping is rapidly gaining popularity—and for good reason. These small,
hardworking insects are incredibly fascinating to observe and care for. Whether you
're a young or an adult, starting an ant colony is educational, relaxing,
and surprisingly easy if you know where to begin.

Why keep ants?

Ants are social animals that live in colonies with a clear division of labor. An
ant colony consists of a queen, workers, and sometimes soldiers. Together they care for
the nest, the food, and the offspring. The beauty of keeping ants is that you can observe their
natural behavior up close—you see how they communicate, collaborate, and
create a complete ecosystem in miniature.

What do you need to keep ants?

To get started keeping ants, you don't need much. The basics include:
1. 🧪 A formicarium (ant house) – This is the nest where the colony lives. (Starter set)
2. 🍯 Food – Ants need a combination of sugars and proteins. Think
Byformica sunburst ant nectar and small insects .
3. 💧 Water source – Constant humidity is important, especially for young colonies.
4. 🌡️ The right temperature and humidity – Depends on the species.

The best ant species for beginners

If you're just starting to keep ants, it's wise to choose an easy-to-care-for and hardy species.
Some recommendations include:
– Lasius niger – The black garden ant, hardy and ideal for beginners.
– Messor barbarus – A seed-eating species with a beautiful red and black color.
– Camponotus nicobarensis – Larger ants that are active and visually impressive.
These species are readily available in the Quality Ants webshop and have clear
care instructions.

Common mistakes when keeping ants.
Even experienced ant keepers sometimes make mistakes. Pay particular attention to:

– Overfeeding (food scraps can become moldy).

– Not enough moisture in the setup.

– Disturbing the colony too often.

– Direct sunlight or frequent vibrations.

Tips for success

✅ Observe briefly daily, but don't disturb too often.
✅ Clean the outdoor area regularly using tweezers
✅ Use only high-quality food products to
prevent mite and mold problems.
✅ Record temperature and behavior — this way you really get to know your colony.

Conclusion: keeping ants is easier than you think!

Keeping ants isn't just a hobby; it's a window into nature. With the right
care, nutrition, and environment, a single queen can grow into a thriving colony with
thousands of workers.
Want to get started yourself? Discover everything you need in the Quality Ants webshop—from
starter kits to ant nests and professional-grade nutrition.

Start your own ant world today.