Ant farm questions, answered

Yes. Ant farms make a great gift for kids and adults. Starter kits that include a live colony can stay in their test tube for 5 to 6 weeks before moving into the farm, because the tube already has fresh water. Keep it indoors at room temperature and away from direct sunlight until it is set up.

Browse our starter kits for beginners.

It depends on the kit. Orders can include:

• An ant farm (formicarium)
• A live queen with workers and brood
• A test tube
• Starter food and a feeding dish
• An auto humidification system
• Care instructions
• A lifetime warranty on the farm
• Our Live Arrival Guarantee for the colony

Check each product page for the exact contents.

Our ant farms are designed and made in Canada. Every farm is assembled, inspected and tested before it ships.

Yes. They are made from durable, non toxic acrylic, and each one is inspected before shipping.

Message us on WhatsApp at +1 403-540-5036 or email support@antfarms.ca. You can also reach us on Messenger and Telegram.

Most colonies can stay in their test tube for 5 to 6 weeks after they arrive. The tube gives them water and a place to nest, so there is no need to rush them into the farm.

Many colonies stay in the tube for days or even weeks. To encourage them to move:

• Keep the nest dark
• Leave the arena in normal room light
• Be patient
• If needed, gently tap or shake the ants into the arena. This will not harm them.

Wait until the colony has fully settled into the nest, usually a few days. Once the ants start using the arena as their waste area, clean out the debris before adding decorations. See our Antscape decorations.

Not under normal use. Every farm is inspected before shipping, and when it is assembled correctly with the lid closed, the ants stay inside. A few curious workers may wander out during feeding or cleaning, but they return to the queen.

It depends on the species, but most colonies need sweet syrup and some protein.

Harvester ants store seeds and usually need a new supply every 2 to 3 months, depending on colony size. Good seeds include chia, flax, millet, mustard, poppy, pumpkin and watermelon. Occasional treats: apple, pear, banana and boiled potato. Avoid citrus.

Yes. Protein helps the brood develop and the colony grow. Feed it twice a week. Good sources include mealworms, crickets, boiled egg white, and plain boiled chicken or shrimp. Remove leftover protein after about 12 hours. Shop our ant food and nutrition.

Avoid citrus fruits, chocolate, salty or spicy foods, processed foods, moldy food and anything with preservatives. If you are not sure, ask us before feeding it.

No. Wild insects can carry parasites, bacteria or pesticide residue. Use feeder insects made for pets or other safe protein sources.

This is normal after shipping, after moving into a new nest, before hibernation, or when it is cooler. Let the colony settle and avoid disturbing it.

Very little. Check the humidity regularly, feed the colony, and clean the arena every few weeks.

The nest should stay slightly moist, never soaking wet. How often you add water depends on the temperature and humidity in your home. If you see condensation inside the nest, it has been overwatered.

Mold can form when the nest is too wet or food is left too long. If the ants have not moved into the nest yet, open the top lid, carefully clean away the mold and reduce the moisture. Always remove leftover protein after about 12 hours.

Normally no. Only ventilate if heavy condensation forms after overwatering. Remove the arena lid until the extra moisture is gone, then close it again.

Regularly remove leftover food, seed shells and waste. Tweezers, cotton swabs and feeding dishes make it easy. Regular cleaning helps prevent mold. Prefer to leave it to us? Try our professional ant farm cleaning service.

Usually not. Workers prefer to stay close to their queen and nest. For larger colonies, use an anti escape barrier while cleaning.

No. Regular tap water works in most areas. If your tap water has very high chlorine or minerals, let it sit for a few hours before using it.

No. A well maintained ant farm has little to no smell. Remove leftover food promptly and keep the arena clean.

Yes. The auto humidification system helps keep the nest moist. Before you leave, feed the colony, refill the humidification tube and moisten the nest well. For longer trips, add a small water source in the arena, or book our Hotel for Ants and we will care for your colony while you are away.

Give protein twice a week, keep the humidity right, keep the room temperature stable, provide fresh water and disturb the colony as little as possible. Growth speed also depends on the species, the queen's age and the environment.

It depends on the species. Some colonies reach several hundred workers within a year, while others grow much more slowly. Eventually you may need a larger farm.

Most of our models are modular and can be expanded with extra nest modules or arenas, including the 2XL, 3XL, 3XV, 4XL and 5XV. Only the XL cannot be expanded. See our modular ant farms.

Depending on the species, a queen can live 10 to 20 years, sometimes longer. Worker ants usually live from a few months to a few years.

Without a queen, no new workers are born, and the remaining workers slowly die of old age. If your queen dies, contact us and we will help.

Some species need a winter hibernation and others do not. Harvester ants do not need to hibernate. Species like Camponotus and Formica usually need about 3 to 4 months each winter. Check the care guide for your species.

Usually no. In most species the queens fight until only one survives. Only certain species naturally accept more than one queen.

Most of the species we sell are gentle and rarely bite. If one does, the bite is usually mild and harmless.

This is normal. Ants move their eggs, larvae and pupae around to keep them at the best temperature and humidity.

This is normal too. Many species adjust their nest entrances for security and to control humidity.

Yes. Ant farms are educational and teach responsibility, biology and observation. We recommend adult supervision for younger children during feeding and cleaning.

No. Pet colonies should stay in captivity. Releasing them can harm local ecosystems and may be illegal depending on the species and your location.

Contact us within 48 hours with photos or a video of the damaged farm or accessories, and we will arrange a replacement quickly. See our shipping policy for details.

Every live colony is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Contact us right away with clear photos and we will resolve it quickly.

Ant farm kits, formicariums and supplies ship to Canada and the USA. Live ants ship within Canada only. Read our shipping policy.