Ant Colony Lasius Niger (Queen and 5-15 Workers) - Black Garden Ant

Ant Colony Lasius niger (Queen and 5-15 Workers)

The Lasius niger, better known in the Netherlands as the Black Garden Ant, is undoubtedly the most common ant species in Western Europe. This colony consists of a healthy queen (gyne) along with her first 5 to 15 self-produced workers and brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae). A fantastic species to observe up close how an ant colony develops from the very beginning!

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

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

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

Suitable habitats and care

Do you still choose the familiar Lasius niger? Excellent choice! This colony is suitable for acrylic, plaster, and sand ant farms. In the initial phase, the colony will have plenty of space in the provided test tube. However, we recommend connecting the test tube to a small outworld so that the workers can 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 designed test tube with a water supply that keeps the nest optimally moist. Upon receipt, the colony can remain in it for up to a few weeks without any worries. 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 niger:

• Scientific name: Lasius niger
• Dutch name: 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, Plaster or Sand (including outworld/arena)
• Hibernation: November to February (keep slightly cooler at 10-15°C, although they often continue to grow well at room temperature)

Do you want to start calmly with the most trusted ant species in the Netherlands? Order your Lasius niger colony (5-15 workers) today at Antfarm!