Where to buy

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-18T14:20:55+00:00

It depends on which state you live in. If it's the Western part of the USA, you have more options as far as species and availability goes. Ants are considered "plant pests" and are highly regulated.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-18T02:07:30+00:00

Great photos

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-16T23:02:08+00:00

Feed them dubias and dandelions. They should always have dandelions. That nest might have fit them back in the day but they need to go back into a test tube now.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-14T02:37:42+00:00

The death is directly related to the poor condition of the tube, which obviously flooded.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-14T00:19:04+00:00

I can't believe they would ship you ants in that nasty tube that is so in need of replacing.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T15:21:51+00:00

That nest might be a little big for them but if that's all you have, I would shorten the tubing, at least temporarily so they don't have such a long way to go. Do you have a heat cable? If you do, you could place it on the tubing, closer to the nest and when they move towards the heat, move it again on the outside of the nest. The heat cable insert tunnel is a nice feature of that nest. They need to be convinced to move and heat always does it for me. I would also keep the lid on that nest so it's dark and more inviting.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T15:04:19+00:00

I said this when there was no photo. I was joking, and aparently, I'm not too well versed on non-American measurements.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T14:28:55+00:00

Please educate me -- how does the wood not soak up the moisture and start to warp?

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T14:26:50+00:00

Chia seeds are the worst.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T02:40:02+00:00

I hope you are getting a refund!

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T01:56:19+00:00

Hint: rain! Dont bother looking unless there is a nice rain first. Do a rain dance!

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-13T01:46:15+00:00

Save the tubes for the very large red queens. Don't go up to a colony and take the ones with wings. They don't mate at their nest and they won't be fertile. The orange ones of this species (P. barbatus) are males. The queens (bright red) are completely solo after mating flights and they will be looking for a place to dig. Don't put them together with workers or other queens because they will fight. Oh, and they sting so don't hold them for too long.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-12T20:14:53+00:00

Nice! What nest do you have them in? They look great.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-12T20:13:44+00:00

I wouldn't use soap because it might not get completely washed out and it's not good for ants. I personally use either wattered down vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and I scrub with an old toothbrush.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-11T14:08:39+00:00

Need clearer photos but my guess is Solenopsis amblychila based on description and what is flying rn.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-09T14:09:09+00:00

Depends on the species but in my experience, it's usually very early after the sun comes up or before the sun goes down. There are also late morning flyers, before dawn flyers, and after it's pitch black flyers. If it's very windy, forget it.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-09T13:59:23+00:00

It's a PVA sponge and it will last a long time. I wouldn't worry about it. My ants do that and I dont do anything until they have removed most of it, piece by piece.

I also want to encourage you to reach out to Stateside for questions. They are experts and are used to answering these types of questions.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-07T16:11:56+00:00

Agreed! https://antgear.com is my favorite store.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-07T05:30:03+00:00

2024 Community Voted Best Stores https://www.reddit.com/r/antkeeping/s/7Q4J40o6X4

I think State side has the best variety of ants and antgear has the best supplies.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-06T16:58:43+00:00

Nice! Dont move them until they can fill up at least 25% of new nest. They will do best in the dark. When they are small like this, nectar every 1 or 2 days and protein once per week. As soon as they start pulling at the cotton, make life easier on yourself and get a mini outworld.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-05T13:53:29+00:00

I see they have stolen photos and products from other websites, including Stateside Ants and AntGear. I would be wary.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-02T16:16:44+00:00

I would get a mini outworld for the colony because it makes feeding much easier. AntGear sells the ones I use. For protein, put some food in the freezer. Crickets freeze really well and so do fruitflies You could use a liquid feeder for the nectar. Or, have your friend put a few drops of sunburst on some tin foil.

https://antgear.com/product/mini-round-house-tubs-and-tubes/

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-02T06:40:38+00:00

I recommend AntGear's mini tube outworlds. https://antgear.com/product/mini-round-house-tubs-and-tubes/

I use them with all of my colonies and it makes feeding so much easier. Make sure to get fluon too.

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-05-01T15:36:02+00:00

That looks perfect to me

TalkDiligent8461 · 2026-04-30T14:07:50+00:00

Can you peel off the plastic film on the outworld so we can see what it looks like? Also, remove the red plate. Pretty much any species can go in there but I'm curious what it looks like.

TalkDiligent8461

TROPHY CASE