Ant Farms: The Fascinating Ant World Underground

Unveiling the Unseen World of Ant Farms

Our ant farm is the perfect way to bring this natural wonder into your home or office. Made of high-quality materials, this ant farm is durable and designed to last for years. With its clear walls, you can observe your colony as they work, feed, and interact. Whether you're a seasoned Ant enthusiast or just starting, our ant farm is the perfect addition to your collection. Order now and discover the hidden world of live ants. Our ant farm features a clear acrylic design, allowing you to witness the fascinating tunnels and chambers created by your colony of busy ants. The Ant Farm Kit comes with everything you need to get started, including sand, Ant food, and a magnifying glass for up-close observation. Watch as your ants work tirelessly to build their home and care for their young. This ant farm is perfect for both educational purposes and entertainment for all ages.

Understanding Ant Farms: A Closer Look

History of Ant Farming

Ant farming has a rich 500-year history dating a long time back. From ancient civilizations to new hobbyists, the allure of observing ants in controlled environments has captivated minds across old and new generations.

Our ant farming kit allows you to experience the wonder of ant colonies firsthand. With everything you need to create a thriving ant habitat, this kit is perfect for both beginners and experienced ant enthusiasts.

   Watch as the ants build intricate tunnels and chambers, care for their young, and work together to gather food. Our ant farming kit provides endless entertainment and educational opportunities for all ages.

   Join the thousands of people who have already discovered the joys of ant farming with our easy-to-use kit. Explore the fascinating world of ants from the comfort of your own home today Find out more on our Blog

Types of Ant Farms

Our plastic and acrylic ant farms provide a classic look and allow for easy observation of the ants as they tunnel through the sand. For those looking for a more naturalistic approach, our acrylic ant farms mimic an ant's natural habitat and offer a more immersive experience. No matter which type of ant farm you choose, our products are designed to provide a safe and comfortable home for your ant colony. All of our products are 100% recyclable. 

The Architecture of Ant Farms

Ant farms are meticulously designed structures that mimic the ants' natural habitats. These farms consist of chambers for brood rearing, food storage, and waste disposal, showcasing the intricate architecture that supports the ant colony's survival.

Ant Species Suitable for Farming

Not all ant species thrive in captive environments. Exploring the characteristics of different ant species helps enthusiasts choose the right species for their farms, ensuring a thriving and harmonious colony. What Are The Easiest Ants For Beginners?

Beginner-friendly species are Lasius Niger, Lasius Flavus and Messor Barbarus. Lasius species are native to the UK. We'll recommend getting the Messor Barbarus ant colony. Their queen ant is way bigger and more interesting, also, they have major and super-major workers along with the normal-sized ones and their main food is seeds.

Creating Your Ant Farm: A Step-by-Step Guide

Choosing the Perfect Ant Farm

Choosing an appropriate container is the first step in creating an ant farm. Factors like size, ventilation, and transparency play a crucial role in providing a conducive environment for the ants. 

How to set up your new ant farm?

Well, for most of us, that's not rocket science so we can handle it with ease but for a newbie, it's not that easy. Where to start, how much substrate to put and where it should be levelled to and should I moist it and how much, where to feed the ants and how often, how to water the nest, how to clean the outworld and the nest and tons of similar questions pops up constantly. So, let's begin.

Ants' arrival.

First of all, keep in mind that we'll feed the ants before dispatch also once you receive your ant farm and ant colony, leave the parcel unopened for 4-5 hours at room temperature so your ants can get used to their new environment. Avoiding toxins built up in your ants due to abrupt temperature changes is essential.

Then check if your queen ant is safe and sound and leave your ants for 4-5 days to relax after their journey to you. Please keep them in a dark place with

no-vibrations, at a room temperature of 20-26 C (away from daily household activities).

Do not disturb and Do not feed your ant colony during this period. Checking them once 24 hours after arrival is enough.

Ant Farm preparation and assembling.

Preparing your ant farm must be done as soon as possible. Why? The earlier you set it up the better for your ants later on. Keep reading and you'll catch up. Before you connect the ant's test tube you should water the nest with mineral or purified (distilled) water only (the watering hole is where the yellow Greek sponge is). Pour 1-3ml mineral water using the pipette provided with the kit once a week.

You should pour water until one or two drops leak through the nest's hole. The water will be soon absorbed into the nest substrate. Keep an eye on the humidity and reduce the water amount if needed. During the summer you should pour more and the opposite in the winter months. Tap water may cause mould (fungus) to appear. The mould is hazardous to all ant species.

Put the substrate provided in the outworld so it levels to the bottom part of the connecting acrylic tubes.

Fill the water test tube with mineral water, then put the cotton ball on so it’s well sucked with water and connect to the outworld. Change the water once a month or if looks contaminated (changes colour or looks cloudy) or if it's run out.

Connect the nest to the outworld using the silicone connecting kit provided in the set. Secure it with the clips. Leave the whole setup assembled waiting until your ants chill due to the delivery stress (4-5 days is recommended). The nest area will be well-humid and ready for ants' accommodation.

Decorating the outworld.

Use the artificial plants included to decorate the ants' arena in a way you feel looks great for them and yourselves.

You can always add a few pebbles, small twigs, sea shells, dried moss etc. to your ants' outworld to make it beautiful and more comfortable for your tiny friends:)

Do not water the substrate inside the outworld at all. Feed your ants into the outworld ONLY. How to feed your ant colony?

Learn all you need about Lasius Niger ants' feeding and hibernation of your ant colony by clicking HERE.

Learn all you need about Messor Barbarus ants' feeding and hibernation of your ant colony by clicking HERE.

Once your ant colony is ready for transfer to their new home, you must be as gentle as possible. Remove the cotton ball from the ants' test tube and connect it to the nest carefully using the queen connection kit provided. Wrap the ant’s test tube with tinfoil and leave it there for the first fortnite and after that start to slide it out just 1-2mm daily.

Please be patient, your ants won’t move into the nest if they are not ready and it might take from just a couple of hours to up to a few months during the hibernation period. If they do not move inside the nest once fully exposed to daylight, put the tinfoil back and repeat the same procedure after two weeks.

Why Best Ants UK?

> We have been making Ant Farms for more than 20 years

> We provide you with entry-level beginner sets

> Ant Farms we offer are suitable for beginners to use

> We guarantee that your ants will thrive in our Ant Farm Kits

Choosing a Suitable Ant Habitat

Ant farms need a balanced ecosystem with proper bedding, humidity, and temperature. Creating a habitat that replicates the ants' natural environment is vital for their well-being and longevity. 

Preparing your ant farm must be done as soon as possible. Why? The earlier you set it up the better for your ants later on. Keep reading and you'll catch up. Before you connect the ant's test tube you should water the nest with mineral or purified (distilled) water only (the watering hole is where the yellow Greek sponge is). Pour 1-3ml mineral water using the pipette provided with the kit once a week.

You should pour water until one or two drops leak through the nest's hole. The water will be soon absorbed into the nest substrate. Keep an eye on the humidity and reduce the water amount if needed. During the summer you should pour more and the opposite in the winter months. Tap water may cause mould (fungus) to appear. The mould is hazardous to all ant species.

Read more HERE.

Feeding Your Ants

Understanding the dietary preferences of ants is essential. From sugars to proteins, providing a varied and nutritious diet ensures the colony's health and vitality. 

Feed them into the outworld only! You should feed them protein-rich food and sweets twice a week. For instance, feed your ants live insects or protein jelly every Monday and Friday. Give them sweets, organic honey or fruit (half a grape, a similar amount of a banana etc.) on Wednesday and Saturday. How much? Well, for a small colony with a queen ant and about fifty workers, the amount of the protein jelly must be similar to the size of a single rice grain. Regarding the live food, feed them mealworms, locusts, crickets or similar and do not forget to kill any possible microbes or mites the live food might be contaminated with.

How? Just put it in boiling water for ten seconds minimum and fifteen seconds maximum, then chop it in half and put it in the ants' outworld using a tiny piece of tinfoil as a tray. Use a small cotton ball to pour a drop or two of the organic honey to prevent ants from getting stuck and drowning. Now, the most important part is always to discard any remaining food after 2 days or fungus may appear.

How to feed your ants Organic Honey and Protein Jelly? Video instructions? Click HERE!

Observing Ant Behavior

Ant farms provide a unique opportunity to observe intricate ant behaviours, including foraging, communication, and social interactions. Studying these behaviours offers valuable insights into the complex social structure of ant colonies.

Benefits of Ant Farms: Beyond Entertainment

Educational Value

Ant farms serve as excellent educational tools, teaching children and adults alike about ecology, teamwork, and the importance of every individual in a community. Our Ant Farms are suitable for either school or home education. 

Environmental Impact

These tiny creatures play an important role in the ecosystem and are essential for maintaining a balanced environment. Scientists say that if the harvester ants disappear farming will be much more difficult and the land will become a jungle after every harvest. Also, the extinction of harvester ants would destabilize the plant's growth and destroy the symbiotic relationship between the plants and our ecosystem. 

Stress Relief and Therapeutic Benefits

Ant farms are a fantastic way to relieve stress and experience therapeutic benefits. Watching these tiny creatures work together to build a thriving colony is mesmerizing and calming. Ant farms are also educational and provide an opportunity to learn about the behaviour and social structure of ants. They are a great addition to any home or office and make a unique gift for all ages. Overall, ant farms provide a fascinating and relaxing experience for anyone who loves nature and science.

Conclusion:

Ant farms offer a unique window into the complex and highly organized world of ants. As we observe these tiny creatures diligently building, communicating, and cooperating, we gain valuable insights into the beauty of nature's designs. Having an ant farm is not merely a hobby; it's a journey into a realm of wonder and learning.