Setting up an ant farm may be more complicated than most people assume, from picking out to the ants to maintenance and more. Despite their seeming commonality, ants actually require farms that match their natural habitats in terms of setup, soil, lighting, temperature, and humidity. The tips in this article will help interested owners establish their farm more quickly and easily.
1. Pick Your Ants Carefully for Your Farm
Ants are incredibly diverse, there are thousands of different species! When searching for the perfect ant to keep on your farm, consider these points:
- Is the ant species available as a domestic pet? Can you easily find, buy, ship, or otherwise get access to the species?
- Where does the ant species create its colonies and nests? The best type of ants for a farm live in soil, versus species that create mounds or live in foliage.
- Does the ant species sting (like bullet ants) or are they safe? All ants can bite, but only some species can sting to protect their colonies.
Many people opt to populate their ant farms with species of ants available in their neighborhood. These ants are easily accessible in addition to being free. However, anyone who wants to opt for this choice needs to double-check that the available ants nest underground and do not sting. If possible, you should also identify the specific type of ant living near you to learn more about their care requirements.
If you don’t have any ants near your home (or you don’t like the species available), consider contacting a reputable breeder that offers domestic shipping. You may also be able to find a pet shop that will send you a starter colony. Black garden ants, carpenter ants, and harvester ants are three examples of popular pet ants for beginners that should also be easy to source.
2. Ant Farms Come in All Shapes and Sizes
The classic ant farm is essentially comprised of two clear sheets of material with a thin layer of soil in between. However, ant farms have become much more complex and now come in many different sizes and styles, depending on your space, budget, and needs. Also known as formicariums, all ant farms should include two areas: a nesting area (e.g., the soil) and a foraging area.
The nesting area’s soil should mimic your ant’s natural environment as closely as possible. Carefully research the proper soil conditions: does the soil need to be loamy, mixed with sand, or clay-based? Additionally, what common detritus would the ants encounter? Adding leaves, acorns, bark, twigs, rocks, and other elements from their natural habitat provides necessary enrichment. Ants have incredibly complex social structures that will be on full display in farms that re-create their natural surroundings.
The foraging area should be separate and distinct from the nesting area. This is where the ants will search for food, collect water, and expel their waste. Since the ants are contained, you’ll have to provide the food and water. Just like the farm, the food and water sources should mimic their natural habitats.
Ant farms can be made of plastic, glass, acrylic— anything that is see-through and non-toxic to the ants (you could even make an ant farm out of CD cases). You can either buy a ready-made ant farm or create one yourself. However, if you go the DIY route, make sure your chosen material is easy to seal with glue or another safe material. Any farm will need to be locked up tight to prevent the ants from going on an adventure.
3. Lighting, Temperature, and Humidity Levels Matter
Just like with other exotic pets, ants require specific lighting, temperature, and humidity conditions to thrive. Ants do best in farms that mimic their natural habitats. For most ants, this means anywhere from eight to twelve hours of light. A low budget solution is to put your ant farm in a room with windows. Owners can also purchase lights and, if desired, automatic timers.
In terms of temperature and humidity, there are also low- and high-budget solutions for these. Ants can either be kept in a room that mimics their natural habitat’s temperature or heaters and fans can be used. For humidity, manual misters or drip systems will do the trick just as well as automatic misting systems.
Maintaining the proper conditions is important not just for the ants, but for the farm itself. Mold and bacteria can easily take root and wreak havoc on your farm, especially if you are overfeeding your ants or food is otherwise left over. Gnats and mites could also appear, which would be detrimental to your ants.
To help keep your farm clean and keep an eye on the conditions, you should spot clean daily or at least several times per week. Regular maintenance means that you’ll be able to see any problems or signs of illness early on.
4. Local Communities Can Help Beginners
Joining local communities for ant keeping, whether online or in person, provides beginners with much-needed support. Forums like these give new owners another avenue for advice besides just looking up problems online or reading articles. This can be particularly useful if you have any concerns about illnesses in your farm, since local veterinarians may not be helpful in this regard.
Beyond all of this, local communities can help build camaraderie. Owners can rapidly gain more experience as they read about tips for success and solutions for common problems. Having a support network with friends and fellow ant keepers can be invaluable for beginners as they navigate this unusual hobby.
