Lasius Niger care guide (How to keep Lasius Niger ants as pets)

[@antsanatomy1436]

Jeez this video is really popular, almost 10k views! It’s crazy to look back and see the colony compared to now. I will definitely do an updated guide on these guys 🙂

[@captainrex1503]

Hi this was a good Guide

[@Alfonzo987]

I’d love to see an update👍

[@Alfonzo987]

Thanks for the tips

[@bestmoments2372]

Hi I’m in Alaska and was wondering if the lasuis neoniger is native to me?

[@chrisgray4717]

I need some advice on my lasius Niger, I had a queen with 8 workers and some brood but checked on them last night and 5 workers were dead and the brood colour was a slight brown colour please help

[@antsanatomy1436]

Do you guys like this style of video? I’m trying new stuff

[@goldenclawgaming9755]

Yes but what exact temp do you need to hibernate them in, my fridge has about 5 C

[@DuqueNadia]

GoldenClawGaming I’m pretty sure it has to be about 5 degrees Celsius

[@antsanatomy1436]

Odontomachus but unfortunately they don’t live in my area.

[@m.silverberg]

I do like it 👍

[@lukafabrizio561]

Loved it 👍

[@DuqueNadia]

Wow that’s a coincidence I just got a queen of that kind lol

[@antsanatomy1436]

Cool, I hoped this helped!

[@theantkid9986]

I got 8 of em

[@Glub009]

The ant Kid I got 5

[@madmike2k_828]

They are coman

[@rykeralvey4849]

I got 2

[@humbleyumble4625]

i just ordered a 5 worker lasius niger colony, this video was very informative!

[@Themantismaster]

How are they now?

[@discobete]

very great video the style is perfect

[@antsanatomy1436]

Appreciate it!

[@TheJonkler69420]

Keep up the videos they are fantastic

[@bugsluger]

what i find really funny is that some people will ship lasius niger across seas and praise it like god but i have like 25 colonys in my garden

[@antsnetherlands1880]

Love it keep up the great content!

[@thechewykiwi9039]

Hope they grow fast good luck

[@2jdestrodegr15]

Just caught two queens of this species. Really happy since this is my first try ever

[@donto8216]

Yeah! In my area they’re all starting to mate and I’ve found 5 queens in my garden!

[@antsuk7068]

You watch AntsCanada. His ant videos are the first ones I ever watched.

[@antsanatomy1436]

Same

[@benjatk6]

Here in the Netherlands you can find lots of these

[@jamiehickey0505]

thx for da informatoin will be making soon

[@Menemnon]

If I'm not mistaken, he is using the products found on the AntsCanada channel store.

[@antsanatomy1436]

I am if your talking about me

[@hangoverstates3234]

How do u guys afford it it’s so expensive 😂it’s sad as I can’t afford it

[@Antboi4653]

@@hangoverstates3234 the products are good price but the shipping is crazy

[@thechewykiwi9039]

I subscribed

[@anttrails9554]

Great vid

[@VonTyrant]

Watching this just as we start to approach nuptial flight season in the UK. :D

[@mitchyboiliam]

I had been looking for a queen in a local woodlands today spent 2 hours there before the thunderstorm hit, went home then went out around my block once it had cleared and found a queen outside my house when I had given up and was heading home! I got so lucky

[@tykenero1777]

I'm in the UK but the nuptial flights in my area haven't happened yet

[@mitchyboiliam]

@@tykenero1777 don't give up I went to Walberswick today, wasn't particularly looking and found 23 all in the same area, if you have no luck come back to me and I will sell you 1 of mine if you want

[@tykenero1777]

@@mitchyboiliam thanks :)

[@justanindigoplanet]

So basically Lasius Niger are the street dogs of the ant kingdom (in terms of hardiness)

[@mpsclllion]

Bro fr there were around 15 Lacius Niger queens in my front drive and I caught 3 of them just earlier. Can’t wait to raise them!

[@purplegrapebrudda9950]

Just caught 2 queen's, dankeshon!

[@vincejeugmans8941]

could you make a video where you do all the maintenance on colony's from different sizes, could be multiple videos..

[@antsanatomy1436]

Sure I’ll keep that in mind, thanks for the suggestion!

[@LapasNNancy]

I got a question, if i have 2 Lasius Queens am i able to put them into the same formicarium or will they fight to the death? LOL

[@s1l3nt22]

They will fight

[@Antboi4653]

At first when you catch them because they are polygynous it might work but if workers have already hatched they will fight also the queens might fight even when the colony is established

[@phoenixrae849]

Great video!

[@airsnail8829]

Good our house has a average temp is 76 or 77

[@robinserwe8604]

Your videos are very helpful. I want to purchase a transfer box such as the one on this video. Can you please share the link on where you purchased it or the name of the store?

[@ricepudding8643]

Did you find out what it is

[@lizzycake013]

The issue i have always had when trying to take care of them is mold.

[@Chaostastic]

cool intro

[@toelielariouspinda355]

I just caught 6 queens 😀😀😀

[@tessjudgemusic]

I live in Northern Ireland and there isn’t much queens. So I might buy one online so hopefully everything does well if i do if I don’t I will have to continue looking for queens.

[@wiktormilka1933]

Thanks for this guide!could i put them in a terrarium with like 10 workers?

[@budgieanimation7141]

i just got an black garden ant queen i hope it lives long

[@Otryvik]

cool :)

[@thatguywholikesspoders1333]

Thanks for this. I’m gonna keep some soon, will wingless fruit flies be ok to feed them?

[@marcoburgman5928]

I got a colony, their food is 6cm away from them including honey and water, they don't want it? just moved into a new nest, 1 day ago.

[@antsanatomy1436]

They will probably want it soon, at the moment they probably don’t need honey

[@flyinfdonkey1563]

I got the same setup for my lasius flavus

[@hapime8107]

I have a Asian weever ant and she have nanitic

[@antsanatomy1436]

Nice! I don’t know much about them

[@hapime8107]

@@antsanatomy1436 ow ok 👍💙

[@kbants4063]

👍🇬🇧🐜

[@taygamerlol]

Where did you get the Equipment cuz i am planning on keeping them as pets aswell

[@Welshkiteflyer]

Do you need to feed if they have eggs and larva in hibernation

[@profitusmaximus4647]

Great video! Is it possible to get two captive bred Lasius niger colonies to swarm and mate? If so, how?

[@antsanatomy1436]

I hope to do this someday when my colonies grow large. I am not completely sure how I would do this. Likely put them both near each other with both colonies tops open for the alates to find each other, and keep them in a container where I can catch the mated queens.

[@aleeguy]

2:46 do I really need this connector if I use ac test tube?

[@antsanatomy1436]

No, you can use tape. But make sure you put a couple of holes in it with a tack or something so there is constant air flow. If you are moving small ants I would recommend the connecter. Because they are small they won’t need much air supply.

[@aleeguy]

@@antsanatomy1436 you're 5 months late mate

[@antsanatomy1436]

Yeah man sorry I didn’t see it earlier

[@aleeguy]

@@antsanatomy1436 that's ok xD. I already learned many things and that AC products are fckng shit🙂

[@vectonachname6502]

they aren't shit they are just way too overprized

[@shadowfury172]

does a lasius species had soldiers?

[@antsanatomy1436]

Oh I wish

[@poshlad6275]

he or she? Wdym? IT’s obvious a queen.

[@jeppestormnielsen2905]

Do you Think its fine to keep this species of Ant Queen in a tiny terrarium

[@antsanatomy1436]

I would wait for the colony to have at the least 10 to 15 workers before you move them into a terrarium.

[@gamerworld46]

can i ask wher i get the tube portle im new and beter what i have now

[@antsanatomy1436]

I’m glad that you are getting into this amazing hobby! Here’s the link www.antscanada.com/shop/

[@intriguingants745]

Can you tell me tips on how to make a test tube out of household things if that's possible ☺️

[@Antboi4653]

Water picks can be emergency test tubes

[@something8267]

I really need to know this but their is a white worm looking thing coming out of my Lasius Niger queen ant is it a parasite I need to know!

[@something8267]

I found how that this is 100% a parasite as it came out even more so I threw the queen out then got another one then I threw the queen out and that I tried again but it still had the same white parasite so I have gave up on ant keeping for now

[@jalenoof1324]

nice vid! btw instead of getting the ac plugs u can just use cotton

[@Antboi4653]

Ac plugs come with it and are designed for so they're the better option

[@jalenoof1324]

@@Antboi4653 they literally do the same thing

[@Antboi4653]

@@jalenoof1324 yeah but it ensures it because it is specifically designed

[@jalenoof1324]

@@Antboi4653 they both block the hole?

[@Antboi4653]

@@jalenoof1324 yeah but human error can happen with cotton but less chance with ac plugs

[@s1l3nt22]

How long does it take to get 20 workers

[@truegamerhate6849]

I have a very small acrylic formicarium how many workers do I need including the queen to move them there

[@Antboi4653]

Around 20

[@mrpuppy4054]

I have a lasius queen t I just got her a few days ago i put her in a warm room will she lay eggs in a few weeks or will she wait till spring?

[@antsanatomy1436]

If you just purchased her then I would recommend hibernating her until late March. Queens can only hibernate with larva in this species so if she has larva it’s ok to hibernate her.

[@PixelForge83]

would this also apply to lasius alienus?

[@Jevonte-kill-you]

Yes! I love it when upload, great video!

[@antsanatomy1436]

Thanks

[@hangoverstates3234]

What’s that blue liquid

[@urieljaovillacorta8352]

hello my lasius neoniger that i got from online is too small the one on your video is big i dunno if i got the right one

[@Svevid]

do you feed her the first months aftercatching her? I just got my first ant queen that i intend to have pet colony from. not sure how long her fat storage can last etc. also i assume you distill the honey with water?

[@josephsanchez2711]

ussually you feed them some hoeny or sweet water after the first set of nanitics arrive but ive also heard its ok to give the queen just a litttle tiny bit of honey if your not sure or the first set of workers are taking long to arrive.

[@josephsanchez2711]

excuse the grammar english is rought for me

[@wesselvdheijden]

Whats the right moment to start feeding the queen or/and the workers? Does the queen need food when she is still alone in the testtube?

[@antsanatomy1436]

She does not need food unless it is a semi claustral queen. If it’s fully claustral then Wait for the workers exoskeleton to harden before you feed them honey.

[@wesselvdheijden]

@@antsanatomy1436 ty👌🏻

[@wesselvdheijden]

From what stage does the colony need something different then sugar water, like fruit flies

[@lizaprokova6105]

If they are out of the egg they need protein

[@vincentvandenbussche5499]

When is it time too move your ants in a bigger space, if you just started?

[@antsanatomy1436]

If they outgrow the test tube add another one or attach a nest.

[@BtoolsDude]

Do other test tubes fit in the test tube adapter?

[@antsanatomy1436]

Yeah

[@nexusgroupnxt]

Please dont forget the metric people 🤓

[@hendrikpauly2074]

Is a tube with honey or sugar water also good for them instead of some real honey

[@antsanatomy1436]

It is, basically it is honey with water in it so it benefits the ants by giving them fluid and sugars but with normal honey they aren’t getting fluids just sugars.

[@oogway9895]

Do you get the plugs with the thing or do you have to buy them as well?

[@antsanatomy1436]

They come separately

[@oogway9895]

@@antsanatomy1436 ok, thanks :)

[@Even_HB]

Howvoften do you need to feed and water them?

[@antsanatomy1436]

Depends on worker size and their formicarium. If they are in a test tube I would recommend you keep and eye on the water level and move them when it runs low. Don’t give protein until they have their first workers and when you do give them a meal worm piece or part of a cockroach within a couple days of the workers hatching.

[@Even_HB]

@@antsanatomy1436 ok thanks!!

[@japreet_kah]

Amazing video, i just ordered one from antslifeuk on Instagram i cant wait

[@Luzarioth]

ok you need to fix your sound. When you don't speak, the music goes up to 9/10 in volume. When you speak, the music goes down to 2/10 BUT: your voice only goes up to like 5/10. Meaning that if you don't talk the music is way to loud, or i adjust for the music and your voice is way to silent. You should create a Baseline soundlevel, let us say your music, 9/10. Your voice than HAS to be as loud as the music when you don't speak, otherwise your viewers are to busy turning up and down their volume to listen to you.

[@antsanatomy1436]

Ok thanks I will definitely work on that.

[@splatapple]

Cthary Ok you need to fix your delivery. Might I suggest you open with something like.... Might I suggest, ...then continue with your suggestion rather than an order. May I also add that it might be best to speak from your personal experience rather than speaking on behalf of all viewers. Whilst you have a valid point, I for one was not so distracted that I was not paying attention. Let’s be kind.

[@Jevonte-kill-you]

What music you use?

[@antsanatomy1436]

I use music from a app called LumaFusion

[@Jevonte-kill-you]

Ants Anatomy oh alright, thanks!

[@EnderAnts]

Bestest of luck with them, they'll be growing fast in no time!

[@AntHolleufer]

Really nice and informative video. Nice job 👍🏻

[@LauraMonsalve100]

Hi!! Im looking into getting my first ant colony !! How big does the colony need to be to connect them to a bigger nest ? And to an out world?

[@antsanatomy1436]

It really depends on the species you get, Lasius are small and would need to move at 20 workers or so. As for a bigger species like camponotus the more workers the better so really you would move them whenever their test tube fills up with workers. I recommend AntsCanadas products if you really are interested in ant keeping. Good luck

[@wasima1451]

I once caught a queen and put her in a test tube with water and put that in a dark place but in the following days we had a heat streak and when i went to check on her she was unfortunately not moving and dead im pretty sure she steamed to death poor thing,even tho the water was blocked by cotten there was still steam inside the glass 😭

[@antsanatomy1436]

That always sucks, try putting future queens in a colder room of the house when that happens but make sure she is not freezing.

[@xeronx6302]

I’ve never had ants before what ants do you recommend for beginners

[@antsanatomy1436]

Definitely the species in this video Lasius Niger. I also recommend getting AntsCanadas products, they are quality.

[@lympic_cas5459]

Lasius niger or lasius flavus

[@carsonstasney8586]

What ever species you see thriving where you live is going to do good as long as you give the proper food and water

[@dbuc4671]

@@antsanatomy1436 what about F. Pacifica

[@nord5183]

I am 13 years old But i got my parents approval to start an lasius niger farm, i am wondering if theres any things to ”NOT” do, since i may be very clumsy sometimes

[@trenahuggins7393]

I just caught a lasius niger queen i Just got her today! Iam so happy (edit) oh I think I have a cremogaster queen instaed Iam not yet sure

[@davidnguyen5041]

Your so dependent on the test tube portal.

[@elias112ftw2]

Great video! Really needed this!

[@antsanatomy1436]

Thanks bro I’m trying new styles of videos

[@Antboi4653]

@@antsanatomy1436 which ac test tube adapter is big enough for the queen as lasius niger?

[@slise5162]

this really helped me, keep up the grate work!!!

[@mrnormiexd5731]

noice

[@microwaveable_soups]

Thanks mate I needed to know about these and your vid really helped

[@liamsstudio_44]

Love seeing these guy’s in my garden

[@icakad3805]

Oh, its a new channel. If you didn't say that at the end, I would not be even typing this comment nor subscribe. But every little bit helps and I love ants. So +1

[@antsanatomy1436]

Thanks for the help!

[@aleeguy]

Я может быть подпишусь

[@lassehansen1580]

Next time add metric units pls :D

[@Radak1337]

Where did you get that nest, can you post the link

[@antsanatomy1436]

Sure, the nest is www.antscanada.com/shop/ac-test-tube-portal/

[@antsanatomy1436]

I would recomend the starter pack so you get test tubes, the portal and the equipment with the portal like stoppers and adapters. It even comes with a place to keep your queens. Here is the link, www.antscanada.com/shop/ac-starter-gear-pack/

[@reverseshorts5369]

Maybe keep them in a fridge 5 seconds later---- Keep it warmer than outside your house 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jameswild3030]

thank you this video helped with my first colony

[@antsanatomy1436]

Glad I could help