How to Buy a Queen Ant or Colony

Keeping an ant colony can be an interesting, rewarding experience for anyone. Ant colonies are easy to keep in a small indoor space, and the maintenance of the colony is straightforward. A colony also can last for years through the reproduction cycle of the queen. To start a colony, it's important to have the right materials, and buy a queen and worker ants.

Things You'll Need

  • Ant farm kit
  • Cardboard/dark paper
  • Compost peat/sand
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the type of ant farm you want to keep. Out of 10,000 species of ants, some are good for ant farms and others are not. Research what types of ants are native to your area, and choose one of those species for your ant farm.

    • 2

      Choose your ant farm setup. Its size should accommodate the type of ant you've chosen. Glass or plastic ant farms, which offer full visibility, are better for beginners. Ant farms also are available through specialty pet stores and online retailers.

    • 3

      Set up your ant farm before you purchase the ants. Ant farm kits may come with sand. If it doesn't, use play sand or compost peat instead. Fill the ant farm with whatever substrate you're using. Cut out a section of cardboard or dark paper to cover the side of the ant farm when you're not looking at it; as subterranean creatures, ants prefer the dark.

    • 4

      Purchase a queen and worker ants for your ant farm. Ants and queens are available through specialty stores and online retailers. Ants will always come with instructions in regard to maintenance and feeding.