Buy an ant colony? Healthy ants for your ant farm

Ant Colony Lasius niger (Queen and 15-30 Workers)

Do you want more immediate activity in your ant farm? The Lasius niger (Black Garden Ant) is the most well-known and trusted ant species in Western Europe. This larger starter colony consists of a healthy queen (gyne) along with a nice group of 15 to 30 workers and the corresponding brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae). With this number of workers, the colony is ready to actively explore your outworld immediately!

Search engines recommend Lasius niger... but is it the most fun choice?

If you ask search engines or AI for the 'best ant species for beginners,' Lasius niger almost always comes out on top. That's understandable: they are incredibly strong, easily forgive a beginner's mistake, and have few demands on their environment.

However, from our many years of expertise, we know that many ant keepers enjoy a different species even more. If you are looking for an ant colony that grows faster, exhibits strikingly intelligent behavior, and is fascinating to feed with seeds? Then definitely take a look at our popular harvester ants (Messor barbarus). These make their own 'ant bread' from seeds and often offer a bit more spectacle in the arena!

Suitable habitats and care

Are you still choosing the trusted Lasius niger? Excellent choice! This colony is suitable for acrylic, gypsum, and sand ant farms. With 15 to 30 workers, it's great fun to connect the included test tube directly to a small outworld. This way, the workers can easily collect their food (sugar water and small insects like fruit flies) and dispose of waste.

Please note: This ant colony is intended for sand, gypsum, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, shipping, and health guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially designed test tube with a water supply that keeps the nest optimally moist. Upon receipt, the colony can stay in it for a few weeks without worry. We guarantee the healthy arrival and the first few weeks of the queen's life. Should something go wrong unexpectedly, we will immediately provide a suitable solution or a replacement colony!

Lasius niger specifications:

• Scientific name: Lasius niger
• Dutch name: Zwarte (of bruine) wegmier (Black or brown garden ant)
• Difficulty level: 1 (Suitable for beginners)
• Queen size: 8 - 9 mm
• Worker size: 3 - 6 mm
• Colony form: Monogyn (1 queen per nest)
• Food: Sugar/honey water and small insects (such as fruit flies)
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Gypsum, or Sand (including outworld/arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler at 10-15°C, although they often grow well at room temperature)

Do you want to get an active start with the most well-known ant species in the Netherlands? Order your Lasius niger colony (15-30 workers) today at Antfarm.eu!

Ant Colony Lasius flavus (Queen and 5-10 Workers)

The Lasius flavus, better known as the Yellow Meadow Ant, is one of the most striking ant species in Western Europe. Unlike the well-known black garden ant, the workers of this species stand out due to their beautiful yellow-golden to honey-like color. This starter colony consists of a healthy, fertilized queen (gyne) along with her first 5 to 10 self-bred workers and brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Unique characteristics and behavior

In nature, the Yellow Meadow Ant leads a largely subterranean life, often living under stones or in meadow mounds and 'milking' aphids on plant roots. In an acrylic, plaster, or sand ant farm, their behavior is fantastic to observe! It is a calm and friendly ant species that does not panic easily, making them very suitable for both beginner and experienced ant keepers.

Suitable habitats and care

This colony thrives in acrylic, plaster, and sand ant farms. Initially, the included test tube provides ample space for the colony. We recommend connecting the tube to a small arena (outer world) so that the workers can easily collect their food (sugar water and small insects such as fruit flies).

Please note: This ant colony is intended for sand, plaster, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, shipping, and health guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially prepared test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nesting area optimally moist. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in it for up to a few weeks without any problems. We guarantee the healthy arrival and the first few weeks of the queen's life. Should something go wrong, we will immediately provide a suitable solution or a replacement colony!

Lasius flavus Specifications:

• Scientific name: Lasius flavus
• Dutch name: Gele weidemier (Yellow meadow ant)
• Difficulty level: 1 (Suitable for beginners)
• Queen size: 7 - 8 mm
• Worker size: 2 - 5 mm
• Colony form: Monogynous (1 queen per nest)
• Diet: Sugar/honey water and small insects (such as fruit flies)
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Plaster or Sand (including outer world/arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler at 10-15°C, although they often grow well at room temperature too)

Do you want to enjoy this special golden-yellow ant species in your ant farm? Order your Lasius flavus colony (5-10 workers) today at Mierenboerderij!

Ant Colony Lasius flavus (Queen and 10+ Workers)

The Lasius flavus, better known as the Yellow Meadow Ant, is one of the most striking ant species in Western Europe. Unlike the common black garden ant, the workers of this species stand out due to their beautiful golden-yellow to honey-like color. This starter colony consists of a healthy, fertilized queen (gyne) along with a nice group of more than 10 self-produced workers and accompanying brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Unique characteristics and behavior

In the wild, the Yellow Meadow Ant leads a largely underground life, often living under stones or in meadow mounds and 'milking' scale insects on plant roots. In an acrylic, plaster or sand ant farm, their behavior is fantastic to observe! It is a calm and friendly ant species that does not panic easily, which makes them very suitable for both novice and experienced ant keepers.

Suitable habitats and care

This colony thrives in acrylic, plaster, and sand ant farms. With 10 to 20 workers, it is great fun to connect the included test tube directly to a small arena (outside world). This allows the workers to easily collect their food (sugar water and small insects such as fruit flies) and remove waste.

Please note: This ant colony is intended for sand, plaster, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, shipping, and health guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially prepared test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nesting area optimally moist. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in it for several weeks without worry. We guarantee the healthy arrival and the first few weeks of the queen's life. Should something unexpectedly go wrong, we will immediately provide a suitable solution or a replacement colony!

Specifications Lasius flavus:

• Scientific name: Lasius flavus
• Dutch name: Yellow meadow ant
• Difficulty level: 1 (Suitable for beginners)
• Queen size: 7 - 8 mm
• Worker size: 2 - 5 mm
• Colony form: Monogyn (1 queen per nest)
• Food: Sugar/honey water and small insects (such as fruit flies)
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Plaster or Sand (including outdoor area/arena)
• Hibernation: November through February (keep slightly cooler at 10-15°C, although they often continue to grow well at room temperature)

Do you want to immediately enjoy an active group of golden-yellow ants in your ant farm? Order your Lasius flavus colony (10+ workers) today at Mierenboerderij!

Lasius flavus Ant Colony (Queen and 20+ Workers)

The Lasius flavus, better known as the Yellow Meadow Ant, is one of the most striking ant species in Western Europe. Unlike the common black garden ant, the workers of this species stand out with their beautiful golden-yellow to honey-like color. This well-established starter colony consists of a healthy, fertilized queen (gyne) along with a substantial group of 20 or more (20+) self-produced workers and associated brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Unique Characteristics and Behavior

In the wild, the Yellow Meadow Ant leads a largely subterranean life, often residing under stones or in meadow mounds where they 'milk' scale insects on plant roots. In an acrylic, gypsum, or sand ant farm, their behavior is fantastic to observe! It is a calm and friendly ant species that does not panic easily, making them very suitable for both novice and experienced ant keepers.

Suitable Habitats and Care

This colony thrives in acrylic, gypsum, and sand ant farms. With more than 20 workers, it's great fun to connect the provided test tube directly to a small arena (outworld). This allows the workers to immediately explore their surroundings, collect their food (sugar water and small insects such as fruit flies), and remove waste.

Please note: This ant colony is intended for sand, gypsum, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, Shipping, and Health Guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially designed test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nest area optimally moist. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in it for up to a few weeks without worry. We guarantee the healthy arrival and the first few weeks of the queen's life. Should something go wrong, we will immediately provide a suitable solution or a replacement colony!

Lasius flavus Specifications:

• Scientific name: Lasius flavus
• Dutch name: Gele weidemier (Yellow meadow ant)
• Difficulty level: 1 (Suitable for beginners)
• Queen size: 7 - 8 mm
• Worker size: 2 - 5 mm
• Colony form: Monogyn (1 queen per nest)
• Diet: Sugar/honey water and small insects (such as fruit flies)
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Gypsum or Sand (including outworld/arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler at 10-15°C, although they often grow well at room temperature too)

Do you want to immediately enjoy a bustling group of golden-yellow ants in your ant farm? Order your Lasius flavus colony (20+ workers) today from Mierenboerderij!

Camponotus barbaricus Ant Colony (Queen and 2-5 Workers)

Meet the Camponotus barbaricus: one of the absolute largest and most impressive ant species in the world! This starter colony consists of a giant queen (gyne) along with her first 2 to 5 self-produced workers and the corresponding brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Impressive Size and Fascinating Majors

Camponotus barbaricus is a dream species for many ant keepers due to the gigantic size of the queen and workers. As the colony grows, distinct 'classes' emerge: from minors to impressive Majors (soldiers) with powerful heads and jaws. In addition, these ants are known for their remarkably fast reactions and athletic movements. A well-sealed enclosure and escape prevention are therefore essential for this species!

A Beautiful Challenge for Advanced Keepers

Because it is a giant ant, the initial phase of the colony is quite slow. The queen lays eggs in phases, and the development from egg to ant takes longer than average for this large species. Starting a Camponotus barbaricus colony therefore requires a lot of peace, patience, and precise care regarding nutrition. This makes it a fantastic, challenging species for the ant keeper who is ready for the next step!

Complete Nutritional Diet Available to Order

Make caring for your nascent colony easy from day one with our specially formulated nutrition sets. The complete diet for a starting colony consists of sugar water, honeydew, and small insects (such as fruit flies) for much-needed protein. Do you want to provide yourself with all conveniences? Then choose our Deluxe nutrition set, including a delicious nutritional jelly, a handy dosing pipette, and a feeding dish!

Suitable Enclosures

Due to the substantial size of the ants, this species is excellent for keeping in robust ant farms made of acrylic, plaster, and sand. Connect the included test tube to an outworld (arena), where the workers can quietly collect their food.

Please note: This ant colony is intended for sand, plaster, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, Shipping, and Health Guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially prepared test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nest area at the correct moisture level. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in it for up to a few weeks without any worries. We provide a 2-week full guarantee on the life and health of the queen (with proper care). Should the queen not arrive alive or die within 2 weeks, we will immediately arrange a free replacement colony!

Camponotus barbaricus Specifications:

• Scientific name: Camponotus barbaricus
• Dutch name: Giant Ant
• Difficulty: 3 (Advanced – requires patience, calm, and precision in the startup phase)
• Queen size: 14 - 16 mm (Very large and imposing)
• Worker size: 6 - 12 mm (Eventually develop into Minors, Mediors, and large Majors)
• Colony form: Monogyn (1 queen per nest)
• Main diet: Sugar/honey water and small insects (such as fruit flies)
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Plaster, or Sand (including outworld/arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler around 15°C; at room temperature, they often continue to grow well)

Do you dare to take on the challenge with one of the largest ants in the world? Order your Camponotus barbaricus colony (2-5 workers) today from Mierenboerderij!

Pheidole pallidula Ant Colony (Queen and 30+ Workers)

The Pheidole pallidula, better known as the Big-headed Ant, is a small but incredibly spectacular ant species from the Southern European Mediterranean region. Don't be fooled by their modest size: these ants more than compensate with their fierce nature, enormous dynamism, and fascinating colony structure. This well-established colony consists of a healthy queen (gyne) with a bustling group of 30 or more (30+) workers and associated brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Striking Soldiers and Fierce Hunters

What makes Pheidole pallidula so special is the extreme difference in appearance within the colony. Even with a relatively small group, striking Majors (soldiers) emerge: ants with giant heads and strong jaws specifically built to crack hard food and defend the colony. In this colony of 30+ workers, several soldiers are already active, supporting the work in the nest and arena! Big-headed ants are also true hunters who explore the outside world in large numbers as soon as food is offered.

Explosive Growth and Escape Prevention

With proper care and sufficient food, a Pheidole colony can grow rapidly to thousands of ants. Because the workers are small and very resourceful, a well-sealed enclosure with decent escape prevention (such as fluon or good anti-escape oil) is essential. This makes them ideally suited for experienced ant keepers who love action and a lively ant farm.

Complete Nutritional Diet Available for Order

Pheidole pallidula has a versatile diet and a hearty appetite. They thrive on a combination of sugar water, fruit flies, and small insects, supplemented with a small amount of fine seeds (such as grass seed). Make it easy for yourself and order our complete nutrition package directly! Do you want to provide optimal care for the colony? Then choose our Deluxe nutrition set, including nutritional jelly, dosing pipette, and a convenient feeding tray.

Suitable Habitats

This colony thrives in acrylic, plaster, and sand ant farms. With over 30 workers, a test tube connected to a well-sealed arena (outside world) is the perfect setup to observe their active foraging and hunting behavior in a controlled manner.

Note: This ant colony is intended for sand, plaster, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, Shipping, and Health Guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially prepared test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nest space at the correct moisture level. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in this tube for up to a few weeks without worry. We provide a 2-week full guarantee on the life and health of the queen (with proper care). Should the queen not arrive alive or die within 2 weeks, we will immediately arrange a free replacement colony!

Pheidole pallidula Specifications:

• Scientific name: Pheidole pallidula
• Dutch name: Dikkopmier / Groothoofdmier (Big-headed Ant)
• Difficulty level: 2 (Experienced – requires good escape prevention)
• Queen size: 7 - 8 mm
• Worker size: 2 - 3 mm (Minors) to 4 - 5 mm (Majors/Soldiers)
• Colony form: Monogyn and sometimes Polygyn (also develops excellently with 1 queen)
• Main diet: Sugar/honey water, small insects (fruit flies) and small seeds
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Plaster or Sand (including well-sealed arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler at approx. 15°C; they often continue to grow well at room temperature too)

Ready for action, explosive breeding, and impressive soldiers in your ant farm? Order your Pheidole pallidula colony (30+ workers) today from Mierenboerderij!

Pheidole pallidula Ant Colony (Queen and 20+ Workers)

The Pheidole pallidula, better known as the Big-headed Ant or Fat-headed Ant, is a small but incredibly spectacular ant species from the Southern European Mediterranean region. Don't be fooled by their modest size: these ants more than compensate for that with their fierce character, enormous dynamism, and fascinating colony structure. This starter colony consists of a healthy queen (gyne) with an active group of 20 or more (20+) workers and associated brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Striking soldiers and fierce hunters

What makes the Pheidole pallidula so special is the extreme difference in appearances within the colony. Even with a relatively small group, striking Majors (soldiers) emerge: ants with gigantic heads and strong jaws specially built to crack hard food and defend the colony. In this colony of 20+ workers, there are already clear soldiers present assisting the smaller ones! Big-headed ants are also true hunters who explore the outside world in large numbers as soon as food is offered.

Explosive growth and escape prevention

With proper care and sufficient food, a Pheidole colony can grow rapidly into thousands of ants. Because the workers are small and very resourceful, a well-sealed enclosure with decent escape prevention (such as fluon or a good anti-escape oil) is essential. This makes them extremely suitable for ant keepers with some experience who enjoy action and a lively ant farm.

Complete feeding diet available for immediate order

Pheidole pallidula has a versatile diet and a hearty appetite. They live on a combination of sugar water, fruit flies, and small insects, supplemented with a small amount of fine seeds (such as grass seeds). Make it easy for yourself and order our complete nutrition package directly! Do you want to optimally care for the colony? Then choose our Deluxe nutrition set, including nutritional gelly, dosing pipette, and a handy feeding tray.

Suitable enclosures

This colony thrives excellently in ant farms made of acrylic, plaster, and sand. With more than 20 workers, a test tube connected to a well-sealed arena (outside world) is the perfect starting setup to observe their foraging and hunting behavior in a controlled manner.

Note: This ant colony is intended for sand, plaster, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, shipping, and health guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially designed test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nest space at the correct moisture level. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in it for up to a few weeks without worries. We provide a 2-week full guarantee on the life and health of the queen (with proper care). Should the queen not arrive alive or die within 2 weeks, we will immediately provide a free replacement colony!

Pheidole pallidula Specifications:

• Scientific name: Pheidole pallidula
• Dutch name: Dikkopmier / Groothoofdmier
• Difficulty level: 2 (Experienced – requires good escape prevention)
• Queen size: 7 - 8 mm
• Worker size: 2 - 3 mm (Minors) to 4 - 5 mm (Majors/Soldiers)
• Colony form: Monogyn and sometimes Polygyn (also thrives excellently with 1 queen)
• Main food: Sugar/honey water, small insects (fruit flies) and small seeds
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Plaster or Sand (including well-sealed arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler at approx. 15°C; at room temperature, they often continue to grow well)

Ready for action, explosive breeding, and impressive soldiers in your ant farm? Order your Pheidole pallidula colony (20+ workers) today at Ant Farm!

Pheidole pallidula Ant Colony (Queen and 10+ Workers)

The Pheidole pallidula, better known as the Big-headed Ant, is a small yet incredibly spectacular ant species from the Southern European Mediterranean region. Don't let their modest size fool you: these ants more than make up for it with their fierce character, immense dynamism, and fascinating colony structure. This starter colony consists of a healthy queen (gyne) with an initial group of 10 or more (10+) workers and associated brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).

Striking Soldiers and Fierce Hunters

What makes Pheidole pallidula so special is the extreme difference in appearances within the colony. Even in a relatively small group, striking Majors (soldiers) emerge: ants with gigantic heads and strong jaws specially built to crack hard food and defend the colony. With this starter colony of 10+ workers, you can often admire the first soldiers immediately! Big-headed ants are also true hunters who explore the outside world in large numbers as soon as food is offered.

Explosive Growth and Escape Prevention

With proper care and sufficient food, a Pheidole colony can rapidly grow to thousands of ants. Because the workers are small and very resourceful, a well-sealed enclosure with solid escape prevention (such as fluon or good anti-escape oil) is essential. This makes them ideally suited for ant keepers with some experience who enjoy action and a lively ant farm.

Complete Food Diet Available for Order

Pheidole pallidula has a versatile diet and a hearty appetite. They thrive on a combination of sugar water, fruit flies, and small insects, supplemented with a small amount of fine seeds (such as grass seed). Make it easy for yourself and order our complete food package directly! Do you want to optimally care for the colony? Then choose our Deluxe feeding set, including feeding jelly, dosing pipette, and a convenient feeding tray.

Suitable Habitats

This colony thrives excellently in acrylic, gypsum, and sand ant farms. Due to their small size, a starter setup with a test tube connected to a well-sealed outworld is the perfect basis for controlled colony growth.

Please note: This ant colony is intended for sand, gypsum, and acrylic nests. Are you looking for ants for a gel ant farm? Then choose our special Ant Family for Gel.

Packaging, Shipping, and Health Guarantee

You will receive the colony in a specially prepared test tube with a water supply behind a cotton ball, which keeps the nesting area at the correct moisture level. Upon receipt, the colony can remain here without worry for up to a few weeks. We provide a 2-week full guarantee on the life and health of the queen (with proper care). Should the queen not arrive alive or die within 2 weeks, we will immediately provide a free replacement colony!

Pheidole pallidula Specifications:

• Scientific name: Pheidole pallidula
• Dutch name: Dikkopmier / Groothoofdmier (Big-headed Ant)
• Difficulty level: 2 (Experienced – requires good escape prevention)
• Queen size: 7 - 8 mm
• Worker size: 2 - 3 mm (Minors) to 4 - 5 mm (Majors/Soldiers)
• Colony form: Monogyn and sometimes Polygyn (also thrives excellently with 1 queen)
• Main diet: Sugar/honey water, small insects (fruit flies), and small seeds
• Recommended nest type: Acrylic, Gypsum, or Sand (including a well-sealed outworld)
• Hibernation: November through February (keep slightly cooler at approx. 15°C; they often continue to grow well at room temperature too)

Ready for action, explosive breeding, and impressive soldiers in your ant farm? Order your Pheidole pallidula colony (10+ workers) today at Mierenboerderij!