Which Ant Species Should You Choose for Your First Ant Farm?

You have picked an ant farm, but which species are you going to keep in it? This may be the biggest decision in the hobby. Every species has its own needs for warmth, nest size, food, growth and behaviour. As a beginner you want a species that forgives small mistakes, is fun to watch and does well in the conditions you can offer. Here are three excellent choices, each with a different character.

Lasius niger, the black garden ant

Lasius niger is by far the most recommended beginner ant in Europe. You find it in almost every garden, along pavements and under tiles. That is no coincidence: it is a tough species that handles heat, cold and a wide range of food. As a beginner you do not have to worry much about small mistakes in temperature or care.

Colonies grow quickly and can reach thousands of workers, which makes them impressive to watch once the outworld fills up with foragers. They eat almost anything: sugar water, fruit flies, crickets. Lasius niger also needs a winter rest, so you learn straight away how to guide a colony through the cold season. Have a look at our Lasius niger colonies, or read our Lasius niger care guide.

Messor barbarus, the Mediterranean harvester ant

Messor barbarus comes from the Mediterranean and is one of the most popular species in the hobby worldwide. The reason is simple: these are spectacular ants. A colony has small workers, medium workers, majors and huge supermajors with powerful jaws, each with their own tasks. Small workers forage, majors crack seeds and the biggest workers help defend the nest.

What makes Messor barbarus really special is the seed harvesting. The workers collect seeds, carry them into the nest and chew them into a paste often called ant bread, which feeds the brood. Watching this through a clear nest never gets old. They do need warmth: heat one side of the nest so the colony can choose a warm spot. They also need a winter rest, a period of lower activity in a cooler place, which is important for the health of the queen. Take a look at our Messor barbarus colonies and our Messor barbarus care guide.

Camponotus nicobarensis, the Asian carpenter ant

Camponotus nicobarensis is a carpenter ant from Southeast Asia and one of our personal favourites for beginners who want something special. It stands out with its red-orange and black colouring and its large size. The majors are seriously impressive and the queen is one of the bigger ones you will see in a formicarium.

This species is calmer than many other Camponotus and reacts quietly to disturbance. It eats sugars, protein and fruit and is fairly forgiving in its care. It does need warmth to be properly active, so a heat mat is a good idea. Growth is slower than in Lasius or Messor, which asks for a bit more patience, but a mature colony is a beautiful sight. See our Camponotus nicobarensis colonies and the Camponotus nicobarensis care guide.

Temperature: an important factor

Besides behaviour, the need for warmth is one of the most important things to look at when choosing your first species. Native European species like Lasius niger are fine at room temperature and can handle a cold winter. Mediterranean species like Messor barbarus and tropical species like Camponotus nicobarensis need extra warmth. If your room is not heated enough, use a heat mat on one side of the setup. Our Heat Mat with Temperature Controller keeps it stable.

How big will your colony get?

A common beginner mistake is buying a nest that is too small for the colony it will become. Lasius niger and Messor barbarus can grow into thousands of workers. Camponotus colonies usually stay smaller, but the ants are so big that they still take up a lot of space. Choose your nest with the future colony in mind, not just the number of workers you start with. A modular or expandable setup saves you a lot of hassle later.

Start with a complete starter set

Whichever species you choose, a good start needs the right setup. Our starter sets combine a nest, an outworld and tubing, and some even include a colony, so all parts fit together and your ants can move into a safe home straight away. Have a look at our Ant Keeping Starter Set. Not sure which nest suits your species? Read our guide to ant farms first.