Starting an ant colony is easier than most people expect, and watching a colony grow from a single queen is one of the most rewarding ways to keep an animal. This guide walks you through the decisions you make before the ants arrive and the first weeks afterwards.
Decide how you want to start
There are three common starting points:
- A queen with a few workers (a starter colony). The colony is already alive and working, which makes the first weeks more interesting and more forgiving.
- A queen on her own. Most ant queens found a colony alone in a sealed chamber and do not need to eat until their first workers appear (this is called claustral founding). It takes patience, because the first workers can take weeks to appear.
- An established colony. More workers and brood give you faster, more visible growth, but they need a larger setup from the start.
Not every species founds the same way, so check the species profile before you choose.
Choose a species that suits you
The species decides almost everything: the temperature, the nest, the food, whether the colony needs a winter rest and how big it will become. For a first colony, pick a species that is hardy and forgiving. Our guide to choosing your first ant species explains how, and the Ant Atlas lets you filter species by difficulty and origin.
What you need before the colony arrives
- A nest: a test tube setup for a small colony, or a nest made of Ytong (aerated concrete), plaster or acrylic once the colony grows. See ant nest setup.
- An outworld: the foraging area attached to the nest, with a secure lid and an escape barrier on the walls.
- Food: a sugar source (sugar water or diluted honey) and protein (small insects). Details in feeding ant colonies.
- Fresh water, available at all times.
- A thermometer and a hygrometer, so that you measure instead of guessing. See temperature and humidity.
Setting up, step by step
- Prepare the outworld and the escape barrier before the colony arrives.
- Put the nest in a quiet place, away from direct sunlight, vibrations and temperature swings.
- Connect the nest to the outworld once the ants have had time to settle after the journey.
- Offer small amounts of food at first and remove what is not eaten.
- Check the colony every day, but disturb it as little as possible.
A queen that is founding a colony needs quiet, darkness and a stable temperature. Do not open the tube to look. Peek through the glass or acrylic only now and then.
What to expect in the first months
Growth starts slowly and then speeds up. In a hardy species such as Lasius niger, the eggs of a founding queen develop into the first workers in roughly 8 to 10 weeks. Those first workers are small. Once they are foraging, the queen can lay more eggs and the colony grows faster. Speed depends on the species and on temperature, so slower species such as Dinomyrmex gigas take much longer.
Common beginner mistakes
- Overfeeding: leftovers grow mould and stress the colony.
- Disturbing the queen while she is founding.
- Guessing the temperature or humidity instead of measuring them.
- Skipping the escape barrier.
- Forgetting the winter rest that cool-climate species need. See ant hibernation and winter rest.
Frequently asked questions
How long until my colony grows?
It depends on the species and the temperature. A founding queen of a hardy species may need a couple of months for her first workers, and it can take years for a colony to reach several thousand ants.
Do I need a queen?
Yes. A colony without a queen cannot make new workers and slowly dies out, so ant keepers start with a queen, with or without workers.
Can I keep ants in a jar?
A jar is not a good home. A proper nest gives the ants a moisture gradient, darkness and room to grow, and a secure outworld keeps them where they belong.
Not sure which colony is right for you?
Tell us about your experience, your space and the climate at home, and we will suggest species that fit. You can also explore the Ant Atlas or browse the shop.