Choosing Your First Ant Species

The right first species makes the difference between a colony that thrives and a project that frustrates you. Here is what to look for and which species ant keepers usually recommend.

What makes a good first species

• Hardy and forgiving. A species that tolerates small mistakes in temperature, humidity and feeding.
• Easy food. Sugar water and small insects, or seeds for harvester ants.
• A clear care routine. Published care figures that agree with each other.
• Manageable size. A colony of a few thousand small workers is easier than millions of workers or giant ants.
• A calm temperament and low escape risk. Painful stings and high escape risk are for experienced ant keepers.

Species that suit beginners

• Lasius niger, the black garden ant. One queen, small workers and a straightforward setup. It needs a cool winter rest, which you can plan for.
• Messor barbarus and Messor structor, harvester ants. They eat mainly seeds and are fascinating to watch as they carry them along trails and store them. Both are described as beginner-friendly by ant-keeping sources.

See our guides to harvester ant care and to the Lasius niger care guide.

Species to leave for later

• Atta cephalotes, the leafcutter ant. The colony depends on a fungus garden that needs warmth, very high humidity and air exchange. See leafcutter ant care.
• Dinomyrmex gigas, the giant forest ant. A slow-growing, very large tropical ant that needs a roomy, humid nest.
• Myrmecia nigriceps, the black-headed bull ant. A powerful sting and a high escape risk make it an expert species.
• Myrmecocystus mexicanus, the honeypot ant. An intermediate species that needs warmth and a deep nest.

Questions to ask yourself

1. How much space and time can I give the colony?
2. Is my home cool in winter, so that a winter rest is possible, or warm all year?
3. Do I want a colony that stays small, or one that grows large?
4. Am I comfortable with a species that can sting?
5. Do I want to watch the ants during the day, or are nocturnal species fine?

Rules on keeping and moving ants differ between countries, and some species are regulated. Ask ANTELYX about your destination before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Which ant species is easiest?

Ant-keeping sources most often name the black garden ant (Lasius niger) and the harvester ants (Messor species) as the easiest to start with.

Can I start with an exotic species?

You can, but tropical and giant species grow slowly and ask more of you. Most ant keepers get more from them after a first colony.

Do I need to buy a queen or a whole colony?

Both work. A starter colony with workers is livelier from day one. A queen alone is cheaper but takes longer to show results. How to choose an ant colony explains the difference.