Formicarium: What It Is and Which One to Choose

A formicarium is another word for an ant nest: a home in which you keep an ant colony and can watch it up close. In this blog you will learn what a formicarium is, why ants are such fun to keep, which types of formicaria there are and how to choose the right one for your colony.

What is a formicarium?

A formicarium is made especially for keeping ants. It has chambers and tunnels where the colony lives, and a see-through side so you can look inside. Most formicaria are connected to an outworld, a separate area where you put food and water and where the ants dump their waste. That way you can follow the queen, the brood and the workers without disturbing them.

You may also hear the words ant farm and ant hotel. They basically mean the same thing. Read more in our posts about the ant farm and the ant hotel.

Why keep ants in a formicarium?

Ants are not pets to cuddle, they are animals to watch. Compare it to fish in an aquarium: you feed them, keep their home clean and for the rest you enjoy what happens. The nice thing about ants is that a colony grows and keeps changing. New workers appear, they move their brood around, they build up food stores. There is always something new to see.

A good formicarium also keeps your colony healthy. Ants need a dark place with the right moisture for their brood. In a glass jar or a box of sand that is hard to control, but a formicarium is built for exactly that.

Different types of formicaria

Not every formicarium is the same. Each material has its own pros and cons.

Test tube

Almost every colony starts in a test tube. A young queen likes a small, dark, closed space, and the water behind a cotton plug keeps it moist. A test tube is not a home for life, but it is the best place to start. Read how to make the perfect test tube setup.

Ytong nests

Ytong is aerated concrete. It soaks up water and slowly releases it, so you hydrate one side of the nest and the material spreads the moisture. Ytong nests are sturdy, last a long time and come in many sizes. Read why we like working with it in our Ytong formicarium collection.

3D-printed nests

3D-printed nests can be made in almost any shape, with chambers that fit the size of your ants. They are light and easy to look into. Our 3D-printed Avalon nest sits on top of a large water reservoir, so you rarely need to hydrate it. We also make 3D-printed mesh nests in several sizes, such as the Medium Mesh Nest. Thinking of printing one yourself? Read 3D printing an ant nest: what to know before you start.

Gypsum and acrylic nests

Gypsum nests hold moisture well, but their quality depends a lot on how they are made. Acrylic nests are very clear to look into, but you need to keep a closer eye on humidity. On estheticants.com we sell Ytong nests, 3D-printed mesh nests, the Avalon nest and the Nano Nest, plus acrylic outworlds. Our US store also sells gypsum nests, made by partners such as Empire of Ants.

Which formicarium should you choose?

The right formicarium depends on your ant species and the size of your colony. A few rules of thumb:

• Choose a nest that fits your colony as it is now, with a bit of room to grow. A nest that is far too big makes the ants feel unsafe.

• Small species need small tunnels and a well sealed setup, because they squeeze through tiny gaps.

• Large species, such as many Camponotus, need wider tunnels and bigger chambers.

• Species from dry areas, such as Messor, like a nest with a dry part and a moist part. Species from moist areas want a nest that stays humid.

Just starting out? Then a complete set is the easiest choice. The All-In-One Test Tube Outworld Small Set is ideal for a young colony, and the Founding Ytong Nest + Outworld Starting Set gives you a nest that lasts. Not sure which ant to choose? Read which ant species to choose for your first ant farm.

When does your colony need a bigger formicarium?

A colony is ready for more space when the nest starts to fill up. You notice it when brood ends up in odd places, workers walk around restlessly or ants start nesting in the outworld. Do not move too early, because a big empty nest is not nice for a small colony. When the time comes, you can connect a second nest or move the colony to a bigger one.

Buying a formicarium from Esthetic Ants

We make most of our nests ourselves, with care, and test them before they go into the shop. They come in different sizes, for beginners and for experienced ant keepers. Not sure which nest suits your ants? Send us a message, we are happy to help. Have a look at all our products and start your own ant colony.