Black garden ant
Also known as Common black ant
One of Europe’s best-known ants and a popular first species: one queen, several thousand workers and a straightforward setup.
Not currently listed
Lasius niger, the black garden ant, is one of the most familiar ants in Europe. It nests under stones, in lawns and along paths, and colonies are led by a single queen who can live for many years: up to 29 years has been recorded.
Workers are small, about 3 to 5 mm, and glossy black to dark brown. They feed on aphid honeydew, nectar and small insects, so a ant keeper offers sugar water and protein. A new colony starts with one queen in a sealed chamber, and a mature colony usually numbers several thousand workers.
Because it is hardy, small and easy to feed, it is the species most ant keepers start with. It does need a cold winter rest of a few months each year. Ask ANTELYX about the queens and colonies available and how a colony is sent to you.
A small, glossy black to dark brown ant. Workers are about 3–5 mm long and the queen is clearly larger. It belongs to a group of similar Lasius species.
Taxonomy notes. In Europe the former single species was split: Lasius niger lives mainly in open habitats and the very similar Lasius platythorax in woodland. Which of the look-alike species a queen belongs to can depend on where it was collected.
Open and disturbed habitats: gardens, parks, meadows, farmland, forest edges and towns. The nest is underground, commonly under stones, but also in rotten wood and under roots.
Widespread across Europe, with populations also reported from parts of Asia and North America.
Workers collect sugary liquids such as aphid honeydew and nectar, and small insects. They follow scent trails to food and look after aphids on plants.
Queens are exceptionally long-lived: up to 29 years has been recorded, the longest known for any social insect. The ants keep aphids for their honeydew and also look after the caterpillars of the silver-studded blue butterfly.
A single queen founds the colony alone in a sealed chamber and does not need to eat until her first workers appear (claustral founding).
The first workers are small. Once they begin to forage the colony grows quickly; after several years an established colony produces winged queens and males for the mating flights, which in Europe usually take place in July and August.
Eggs, larvae and pupae in cocoons. A founding queen’s eggs develop into the first workers in roughly 8–10 weeks.
Keep the nest at about 20–24 °C and moderately humid (about 50–60 percent). Offer sugar water or diluted honey and small insects regularly, and always provide water. A winter rest at about 5–10 °C from roughly late October to early March is recommended by ant-keeping sources; without it a colony may not do well. The sources disagree on how high the escape risk is, so use a barrier on the outworld.
Sugars (honeydew from aphids in nature; sugar water or diluted honey in captivity) and protein from small insects. Fresh water should always be available.
Nest type. Test tube to start, then a Ytong, plaster or acrylic nest or a naturalistic setup
Colonies of this species that are currently listed. Not sure which to choose, or want to know more? Ask us before you order.
There are currently no colonies listed for this species. If you would like to know about availability, ask ANTELYX.
Whether this species can be shipped depends on your destination country. Check the shipping information before you order.
Questions about this species.
Lasius niger, the black garden ant, is one of the most common ants in Europe. Workers are small and glossy black to dark brown.
One. Colonies are monogynous. Founding queens may tolerate each other for a short time, but only one queen remains once workers appear.
Usually about 4,000 to 7,000 workers, and in rare cases up to about 40,000.
Yes. Ant-keeping sources recommend about 5–10 °C from roughly late October to early March.
Sugary liquids such as honey water or sugar water, and small insects as protein, with water always available.
Up to 29 years has been recorded in a queen; typical figures are lower.
Yes. Ant-keeping sources rate it Beginner-friendly: it is hardy, small and easy to feed.
The difficulty level is shown at the top of this page. The Ant Keeping guide explains what to expect at each level.
Each product describes what is included. Colony contents vary by species and product.
Availability depends on your destination. See the shipping notes above and the shipping page.
Other species from the Ant Atlas.
Harvester ant
A Mediterranean seed-harvester with one queen, around 10,000 workers and impressive trunk trails: straightforward and fascinating to watch.
Ask about availability
Harvester ant
A large seed-harvesting ant of southern and central Europe. Several queens, thousands of workers and a rewarding first harvester colony.
Ask about availability
Lasius niger care guide: nest, feeding, temperature, humidity and winter rest for the black garden ant, the classic beginner species.
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.
Which ant species should you start with? What makes a good first species, which ones ant keepers recommend and which to leave for later.
Have questions about availability, colony size, care requirements or shipping? Contact ANTELYX before you order. You do not need an account or a cart.
Images are AI-generated illustrations, not identification photographs.
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