Knowledge base
Ant knowledge base
Use this as a simplified wiki for species care, shipping notes, founder setups, and common keeper guidance.
Article index
Basic ant keeping setup checklist
Hey everyone! Here’s a simple, practical checklist for setting up an ant colony — whether you’re just starting or making sure you’ve got everything covered.
Getting started with queen ant sales
Hey everyone this is a guide focused specifically on ants and other invertebrates, not mammals/reptiles (which follow much stricter licensing systems).
Myrmecia Brevinoda Care Guide
Hey everyone! I put together a proper, fact-based care guide for Myrmecia brevinoda — one of Australia’s most iconic (and intense) ants. This species is very rewarding but NOT beginner-friendly.
Article
Basic ant keeping setup checklist
Hey everyone! Here’s a simple, practical checklist for setting up an ant colony — whether you’re just starting or making sure you’ve got everything covered.
🧪 1. Founding Setup (For New Queens)
✔ Test tubes (preferably multiple backups)
✔ Cotton balls (for water reservoir + plug)
✔ Clean water (distilled or dechlorinated)
✔ Dark, quiet storage area (drawer, box, cupboard)
Optional but helpful:
Test tube holder or rack
Red film (to reduce disturbance)
🏠 2. Formicarium (When Colony Grows)
✔ Suitable nest (ytong, acrylic, gypsum, or natural setup)
✔ Outworld (for feeding and waste)
✔ Tubing (to connect nest to outworld)
Optional:
Expansion modules for future growth
Substrate (sand/soil for natural setups)
🍯 3. Feeding Essentials
✔ Sugar source:
Sugar water or honey water
✔ Protein source:
Crickets
Mealworms
Roaches
Flies
✔ Feeding tools:
Tweezers/forceps
Small feeding dishes (foil, bottle caps, etc.)
💧 4. Hydration & Humidity
✔ Water source (test tube or nest hydration system)
✔ Way to control humidity (species dependent)
Optional:
Syringe/pipette for precise watering
🌡️ 5. Temperature Control
✔ Stable room temperature (most species: ~20–28°C)
Optional (for faster growth or specific species):
Heat mat or cable
Thermometer
🛡️ 6. Escape Prevention (VERY IMPORTANT)
✔ Barrier:
PTFE (fluon) or talcum powder + alcohol mix
✔ Secure lids or covers
Optional:
Double containment (especially for fast/aggressive species)
🧼 7. Maintenance & Cleaning
✔ Cotton swabs or paper towels
✔ Trash area in outworld (ants often make one)
✔ Regular removal of food remains
Optional:
Small brush for cleaning
Replacement substrate
🔍 8. Observation & Monitoring
✔ Basic lighting
✔ Magnification (optional but useful)
Optional:
Notebook or log (track feeding, brood growth, etc.)
⚠️ 9. Safety Considerations
✔ Feeding tools (never use hands for aggressive species)
✔ Secure setup before opening
For species like bull ants:
Extra caution with handling
Always assume they can escape
❌ Common Beginner Mistakes
Overfeeding (causes mold)
Too much moisture
Disturbing the colony too often
Poor escape prevention
Moving colonies too early
✅ Quick Summary
To get started, you really only need:
✔ Test tube setup
✔ Food (sugar + protein)
✔ Water
✔ Escape barrier
✔ Patience
Everything else can be added as the colony grows.
✔ Test tubes (preferably multiple backups)
✔ Cotton balls (for water reservoir + plug)
✔ Clean water (distilled or dechlorinated)
✔ Dark, quiet storage area (drawer, box, cupboard)
Optional but helpful:
Test tube holder or rack
Red film (to reduce disturbance)
🏠 2. Formicarium (When Colony Grows)
✔ Suitable nest (ytong, acrylic, gypsum, or natural setup)
✔ Outworld (for feeding and waste)
✔ Tubing (to connect nest to outworld)
Optional:
Expansion modules for future growth
Substrate (sand/soil for natural setups)
🍯 3. Feeding Essentials
✔ Sugar source:
Sugar water or honey water
✔ Protein source:
Crickets
Mealworms
Roaches
Flies
✔ Feeding tools:
Tweezers/forceps
Small feeding dishes (foil, bottle caps, etc.)
💧 4. Hydration & Humidity
✔ Water source (test tube or nest hydration system)
✔ Way to control humidity (species dependent)
Optional:
Syringe/pipette for precise watering
🌡️ 5. Temperature Control
✔ Stable room temperature (most species: ~20–28°C)
Optional (for faster growth or specific species):
Heat mat or cable
Thermometer
🛡️ 6. Escape Prevention (VERY IMPORTANT)
✔ Barrier:
PTFE (fluon) or talcum powder + alcohol mix
✔ Secure lids or covers
Optional:
Double containment (especially for fast/aggressive species)
🧼 7. Maintenance & Cleaning
✔ Cotton swabs or paper towels
✔ Trash area in outworld (ants often make one)
✔ Regular removal of food remains
Optional:
Small brush for cleaning
Replacement substrate
🔍 8. Observation & Monitoring
✔ Basic lighting
✔ Magnification (optional but useful)
Optional:
Notebook or log (track feeding, brood growth, etc.)
⚠️ 9. Safety Considerations
✔ Feeding tools (never use hands for aggressive species)
✔ Secure setup before opening
For species like bull ants:
Extra caution with handling
Always assume they can escape
❌ Common Beginner Mistakes
Overfeeding (causes mold)
Too much moisture
Disturbing the colony too often
Poor escape prevention
Moving colonies too early
✅ Quick Summary
To get started, you really only need:
✔ Test tube setup
✔ Food (sugar + protein)
✔ Water
✔ Escape barrier
✔ Patience
Everything else can be added as the colony grows.