Did you know queen ants rank among nature's most remarkable creatures? A single queen can rule her colony for 30 years, producing millions of eggs throughout her lifetime. This fantastic ability makes queen ants a treasure for new and experienced ant keepers alike.
Trust the professionals - we've spent over two decades helping ant enthusiasts build thriving colonies and sharing opinions within the ant-keeping community in the UK. Our carefully selected queen ants bring joy to UK collectors nationwide. Whether you're starting your first colony or adding to your collection, we'll help you choose the perfect queen ant.
Browse our complete selection of live queen ants, from beloved Lasius Niger to fascinating leaf cutter queens. Every ant farm setup includes all the essentials you need for success. Let us guide you through selecting, housing and caring for your queen ant. Your journey to a thriving colony starts here.
Fascinating World of Queen Ants
Did you know queen ants possess remarkable abilities that set them apart from regular worker ants? Let us share our discoveries from 22 years of ant-keeping experience.
Meet Your Queen Ant
When you browse our queen ants for sale, you'll discover these amazing features:
Queens stand as the largest ants in their colony (apart from some Gamergate ants where all ants can reproduce eggs)
Their special enlarged abdomen houses an impressive reproductive system
Young queens start life with wings for their marriage flight aka nuptial flight
Extra flight muscles make their chest stronger than worker ants. The claustral queens use the flight muscles to metabolize energy during the foundation stage.
Queen Ant Superpowers
Trust the professionals - queen ants truly amaze us with their capabilities:
Store sperm for life in their special spermatheca pouch
Produce millions of eggs throughout their lifetime
Choose between making female or male ants by controlling stored sperm
Interesting fact: Once fertilized, the Glack Garden queen ant lays eggs for up to 30 years. No need for a male (aka drone) after the first wedding night.
Types of Queens We Offer
Our queen ant collection includes:
Common Queens - Fully winged and ready for colony founding
Ergatoid Queens - Born without wings but with full breeding power
Army Ant Queens - Extra-large egg producers with special body shape
Want to know something incredible? Queen ants can live up to 30 years! Their special DNA repair abilities help them live much longer than worker ants.
Queens rule their colonies through amazing chemical messages. These special scents tell workers about the queen's presence and keep order in the colony. Even artificial queen scents can control worker ant behaviour in species like Lasius niger.
New to ant-keeping? Click HERE to learn more about queen ants.
Visit our Blog for more fascinating queen ant facts!
Start Your Ant Colony Journey
Trust the professionals - we've helped thousands of ant keepers start successful colonies over 20 years. Let us guide you through your exciting journey into ant-keeping queen ants.
Perfect Starter Species
Looking for your first queen ant? These hardy species offer the best success rates:
Black Garden Ant (Lasius niger) - Our customers' favourite choice
Yellow Meadow Ant (Lasius flavus) - Watch your colony thrive
Harvester Ant (Messor barbarus) - The second-best ant species for beginners
Red Fire Ant (Myrmica rubra) - Experience active colony life
Setting Up Your First Nest
Your queen ant needs the perfect home to start her colony. After catching your first queen during the nuptial flight follow our proven setup method:
Fill test tube 1/3 with fresh water
Add a cotton ball as a water barrier
Place queen gently inside
Seal with a second cotton ball
Keep at room temperature (22-26°C) in a dark, quiet spot
Leave undisturbed for a month and then check on every 10 days.
Watch Your Colony Grow
Amazing changes happen as your colony develops! The queen starts her colony after mating, using stored wing muscles for energy.
Your first worker ants appear in 8-10 weeks for Lasius niger. These special first workers (nanitics) may look smaller but play a crucial role - they care for the colony while the queen focuses on laying eggs.
Ready to upgrade? Once you see 10+ workers, consider moving to a larger formicarium. Remember - timing matters! Moving too early can stress your colony.
Patience brings rewards in ant keeping. Some colonies grow quickly, while others take months to establish. We've seen countless colonies thrive after surviving their first worker generation.
New to ant-keeping? Click HERE for our complete guide.
Visit our Blog for expert colony care tips!
Perfect Homes for Your Ant Colony
Trust the professionals - housing queen ants properly makes all the difference between success and failure. Let us share our secrets for creating the perfect Ant home.
Choose Your Perfect Nest
Want to know something amazing? Both natural and artificial nests can create wonderful homes for your ants. Our ytong nests (made from special aerated concrete) keep moisture perfectly, just like natural Ant homes.
Pick your perfect nest style:
Test tubes - Perfect for queens and tiny colonies
Acrylic with natural filling - Watch your ants at work
Natural wood - The traditional choice (expensive though)
Mixed materials (acrylic and plaster of Paris) - Best of both worlds
Room to Grow
Your colony needs space to thrive! Start with a test tube setup for your queen and first workers. Once you spot 10-20 busy workers, time to upgrade! Some colonies grow incredibly fast, reaching thousands of workers.
Keep Your Ants Happy
Temperature and humidity control matter more than you think:
Keep the temperature at 20-26°C for happy ants (native to the UK)
Add water spots to maintain moisture
Let fresh air flow through
Use red viewing screens to watch your ants
Did you know different parts of your ant nest need different conditions? Your queen's chamber needs special care compared to where baby ants grow. That's why we create special zones in our ant farms.
Here's something crucial - never place your ant farm in direct sunlight! Temperature can jump 5 degrees in just 5 minutes. Keep your ants away from windows, heaters, and vibrating surfaces.
Watch your clever ants maintain their home! When it's too warm, they create air holes. Too dry? They seal them up. Nature knows best!
Need help to choose? Click HERE for expert advice.
Visit our FAQ Page for more housing tips!
Feed Your Ants Like a Professional
Did you know proper nutrition makes the difference between a thriving colony and a struggling one? Trust the professionals - we've spent 20 years perfecting ant-feeding techniques.
Amazing Ant Diets
Every ant species needs special food combinations. Here's what we recommend for your queens:
Harvester Ants (Messor barbarus) - Love our special mix of 17 organic seeds
Protein Lovers - Thrive on insect-based foods
Mixed Diet Ants - Need both sugars and proteins
Special Feeders - Require unique food combinations
Seasonal Feeding Magic
Watch how clever ants change their eating habits throughout the year! Follow our tested feeding schedule:
Spring - More food as ants wake up
Summer - Extra protein for busy colonies
Autumn - Less food as activity drops
Winter - Light feeding for active species
Special Ant Treats
We guarantee our Essential Protein Jelly and Cricket Mash helps queens lay more eggs and grow stronger baby ants. Here's how to use it:
Keep in fridge (2-8°C)
Feed weekly for best results
Place on a cotton ball
Remove after 2-3 days
Want to know something fascinating? Adult ants drink all their food! They share these liquid treats with nestmates through special feeding.
We've watched colonies control their protein intake carefully while adjusting sugar needs by season. Nature knows best!
Remember - water matters most! Ants survive without food but never without water. That's why we include proper moisture in all our feeding guides.
Keep Your Colony Happy and Healthy
Trust the professionals - 20 years of colony care taught us the secrets of thriving ant communities. Let us share our proven methods for managing your Ant family.
Watch Your Colony Grow
Your weekly colony check matters! Look for these vital signs:
Happy workers moving freely
Queen laying eggs regularly
Clean nest areas
Normal food consumption
Proper nest maintenance
A quick tip: Use separate cleaning tools for each colony to keep everyone healthy.
Perfect Colony Size
Want to know something fascinating? Colonies fed once weekly grow just as well as those fed twice weekly. Temperature control helps too!
When your ant family grows to 200+ workers, time to move to a larger formicarium. We guarantee that proper-sized ant farms keep your colony thriving.
Winter Rest Magic
Did you know skipping winter rest shortens a queen's life? Here's our tested hibernation method:
Start in November as the weather cools
Keep the temperature at 10°C (for UK ants)
For Harvester ants, keep the temperature at 15°C
Watch humidity levels
Stop food
Provide fresh water
Change temperature gradually
Nature knows best - colonies slow down naturally in winter. Water stays crucial even during rest time!
For tropical species, we adjust temperatures slightly in winter. This keeps them active while respecting natural rhythms.
Amazing fact: Our colonies live up to 20 years with proper care!
Your Ant Keeping Adventure Awaits!
Did you know queen ant keeping brings more joy than almost any other hobby? Trust the professionals - we've watched countless tiny colonies grow into amazing ant cities of thousands. Your success starts with understanding your queen, giving her the perfect home, offering the right food, and following our tested care guides.
Ready to start? Whether you're excited to buy live queen ants today or still exploring options, we recommend our beginner-friendly Lasius niger queens. These hardy little champions help you learn the magic of colony development.
Nothing makes us happier than watching our customers' colonies thrive! Remember - patience and loving care lead to years of fascinating ant-keeping adventures.
Your well-cared-for colony opens a window into one of nature's most remarkable societies.
New to ant-keeping? Click HERE for our beginner guide.
Visit our Blog Page for amazing colony success stories!
Join our Best Ants UK Community
FAQs
What is the best way to start an ant colony?
Start with a beginner-friendly species like Lasius niger. Create a test tube setup with water, cotton balls, and the queen ant. Keep it in a dark, quiet place at room temperature and avoid disturbance for the first few days.
How do I choose the right housing for my ant colony?
Begin with a test tube setup for new queens and small colonies. As the colony grows, transition to larger formicariums like acrylic nests or wooden setups. Ensure proper temperature (20-26°C), humidity, and ventilation while keeping the nest area dark.
What should I feed my ant colony?
Feeding requirements vary by species. Provide a mix of carbohydrates and proteins, adjusting the diet seasonally. Use specialized supplements like protein jelly and Cricket mash to stimulate queen egg production and promote larval growth. Always ensure access to fresh water.
How often should I monitor my ant colony?
Conduct weekly health assessments, checking worker movement, queen activity, and nest maintenance. Regular (not more often than once a week)observation helps spot potential issues early. Use separate tools for each colony to prevent the spread of problems.
Is hibernation necessary for ant colonies?
For temperate species, proper hibernation is crucial for long-term colony health. Begin hibernation around November, maintaining temperatures around 10°C. Stop feeding but ensure fresh water access. Gradually transition temperatures when entering and exiting hibernation to mimic natural seasonal changes.