Ant Keeping Tips

Upgrading Your Ant Colony’s Formicarium – When & How to Do It Right

Why Upgrade? As your ant colony grows, their needs change. More workers = more space, food, and waste. Keeping them in a nest that’s too small can cause overcrowding, stress, and escape attempts (because ants are tiny Houdinis). So, how do you know it’s time to upgrade, and how do you do it safely without […]

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Ant Nests 101: Choosing the Best Formicarium for Your Colony

Why Does the Right Nest Matter? Not all ants love the same real estate. Some dig deep underground, others prefer wood, and some happily move into an acrylic penthouse. Choosing the right formicarium affects your colony’s growth, health, and behavior. The wrong nest? Too dry, too humid, too big, or too small—and you’ll have escape

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Breeding Mealworms – The Ultimate Feeder Insect Guide for Ant Keepers

Scientific Name: Tenebrio molitorCommon Name: MealwormSize: Larvae: 1–3cm | Beetles: 1.5–2cmLifespan: Larvae ~8–12 weeks, Beetles ~1–3 monthsReproduction: Beetles lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetimeBest Temperature for Breeding: 24–28°CFeeding Frequency: Provide fresh food every 2–3 days 1. Introduction to Breeding Mealworms Mealworms are one of the best protein sources for ant colonies, making them

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Understanding Ant Colony Growth Stages: From Queen to Thriving Colony

Ant keeping is a game of patience. Colonies don’t explode overnight, and understanding how they grow will help you manage their needs at every stage. In this guide, we’ll break down the four key growth stages of an ant colony:✅ Founding Stage – The queen’s solo survival phase.✅ Nanitic Stage – The first workers emerge

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10 Common Mistakes Beginner Ant Keepers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

So, you’ve started ant keeping—congrats! You’ve entered a world where watching tiny insects carry crumbs becomes the highlight of your day. But like any hobby, beginner mistakes happen. Some mistakes are harmless (ants are tougher than they look), while others can lead to disaster (accidentally drowning your queen isn’t a fun experience). To help you

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Preventing Mites: How to Keep Your Ants Safe from Infestations

Ant keeping is an exciting and rewarding hobby—until you notice tiny, unwanted intruders crawling around your colony. Mites and other pests can be a nightmare for ant keepers, sometimes leading to colony stress, reduced growth, or even death. Preventing mites and keeping your ants safe from mites is crucial for a thriving colony. This guide

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The Ultimate Ant Feeding Guide: What, When & How to Feed Your Colony

Feeding your ants correctly is one of the most important parts of successful ant keeping. Too little food? The colony will struggle to grow. Too much? You’ll end up with mouldy messes and unwanted pests (ever seen an ant-sized fruit fly invasion? Not fun). This guide covers everything you need to know about feeding your

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Best Australian Ant Species for Beginners

Starting your ant-keeping journey but not sure which species to pick? Not all ants are created equal—some are hardy, easy to care for, and thrive in captivity, while others require specialized setups and advanced care. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want an active, adaptable species that’s easy to feed, doesn’t require extreme humidity control, and

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Moving Your Queen Ant from the Founding Stage to a Formicarium: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, your queen has successfully raised her first generation of workers, and the colony is growing—congratulations! 🎉 Now comes a major milestone in ant-keeping: moving the colony from its test tube into a formicarium (ant nest). This transition needs to be timed correctly and done carefully to avoid stressing your ants. In this guide, we’ll

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