How to Start an Ant Colony: A Beginner’s Guide
How to start an ant colony: choose a species, prepare the nest and outworld, feed the colony and know what to expect in the first months.
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Ant Keeping Guide
Everything a new or experienced ant keeper needs to know, from choosing a species to caring for a growing colony.
Each topic below leads to the most relevant species information and guides.
Topics
Ant Care
Starting out, queens and feeding.
Read ant care articles →
Ant Husbandry
Nests, temperature, humidity, winter rest and colony growth.
Read husbandry articles →
Buying Guides
Choosing a species and a colony, orders and shipping.
Read buying guides →
Species Guides
Care guides for individual species and groups of ants.
Read species guides →
European Ant Keeping
Native species, climate and practical tips for Europe.
Read about European ants →
Advanced Ant Keeping
Demanding species and the next step after a first colony.
Read advanced guides →
How to Start a Colony
A step-by-step guide to your first colony.
Start here →
Common Problems
Recognising and solving common issues.
Read care questions
Ant Atlas
Species profiles with origin, difficulty and care.
Explore the Ant Atlas →
Latest articles
Recent writing from the ANTELYX blog.
Feeding Ant Colonies: What Ants Eat and How Often
What do ants eat? How to feed an ant colony with sugar, protein and seeds, how often to feed and how to avoid mould and waste.
How to Care for a Queen Ant
How to care for a queen ant: founding in a test tube, when to feed, what the queen needs and how long queens live.
Ready to choose a species?
Use what you have learned to explore the Ant Atlas, or try the Ant Finder for suggestions.