ANTSTORE World of Ants

[brainfreeze4u]

Hi, i have no major experience when it comes to ants so im afraid that i dont know what to get. I would like a lasius niger colony, in a deluxe or standard ant farm, however i do not know if these will be able to support a reproducing colony with a queen. are both of these suitable, lasius niger are common in the uk but i have never dug up a nest to view a queen so to be honest i dont even know if she'll fit in these farms?

What would i need to set up a moderatley sized farm? i would like to observe the tunnels and the ants in them so i assume i should go for a pale coloured sand/loam mixture? also i have always had trouble with feeding my ants in the past without the risk of breakouts, so i am curious how this can be prevented, and what sort of lid/prevention do the ant farms come with?

will i be able to keep the farm with a queen without them hibernating and producing the winged ants the next year?

many thanks
Dean

[gonzobey]

You could use both possibilities for Lasius niger and sure the queen will fit in. If you choose the antfarm deluxe your ants have many many place for the future. You can also choose the antfarm standard it´s also many place for the start (think, you´ll get a young colony with at least 10 workers).

For the standard you need 1x clay 2x sand and 2x loam (for the deluxe double amount. For the humidifikation take a plastic tube with 10mm diameter (you also need one for connectin antfarm and arena). Cut it on the high of the antfarm and put it on the side in it. THEN pour in the soil, first clay. Mixe sand and loam before filling dry and then pour it in. On the top of the plastic tupe you must put in cooton, because we don´t want that the ants could get drowned.

Both antfarms had a top for closing the farm. If you will be more sure take a guard net (a fine fly screen - also sold here). Use it together with the top, that will be 100% safe and the ants will not break out.

Now to hibernation: This is one point you must follow, it belongs to the nature of these ants, that they hibernate. If you do not the ants will get more and more fragile and then die.

I hope this informations could helped you. If I forgot a question or if you have more just ask me!

Greetings
Bianca

P.S. Sorry for my bad english, its to early today because I didn´t sleep enough! :O)