DIY Ant Farm

Ant farms are easy to make. If you need an inexpensive starter pet, a science fair project or a home school assignment, an ant farm will fit the bill. Join your child for an adventure as an engineer, as a big game hunter and as a zoo keeper as you make your own ant farm.

  1. Habitat

    • To create an ant habitat or ant farm, use a glass container, such as an aquarium or a jar. If you want to ensure a view of your ants at work, place another glass container inside the first one to create a narrow space for the ants to work in. Use a funnel to fill your habitat with sand, dirt or a combination of the two. Cover the outside of your ant farm with dark paper to create the illusion of being underground. This will ensure that your ants are comfortable and able to work.

    Ants

    • Look for a colony of large black ants--they will be the best for viewing. Use a shovel to carefully dig up their nest. You should wear gloves in case the ants decide to defend their nest. Try to locate the queen, some eggs and larvae as well as a number of the workers. Funnel your ants into their new habitat. They should begin to tunnel and build a new nest for their queen. You can periodically view their progress by removing the dark paper from your ant farm.

    Care

    • Ants are foragers and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables as well as other insects. You may simply feed your ants a bit of bread dipped in some sugar water or honey, or you can give them tiny bits of fruit, vegetables and grains. You should not overfeed them or the food will rot inside the habitat. To give your ants enough water, simply dip a cotton ball in water. Careful not to tip or shake your ant farm as it will destroy all of their hard work.