🏆 Top 3 | Best Ants for Beginners!

[@AntsVienna]

What Ants did YOU start with? Comment bellow!😃 🐜 Learn more about Ant Keeping: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5mTYYGkr8p3n7M 💬 AntsVienna Discord Chat: discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@Psysin]

I started with Messor Marocanus. Moroccan messor species i found under a rock building her self a nest, while walking in forest

[@Avation233]

I started with acrobat Ants and I’m still trying to figure out their species lol 😂😂

[@Avation233]

They look black and very small

[@Hatori2212]

it was Messor structor ı found them verry lovely

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, many keepers I've spoken to have made nice experiences with messor structor. They just don't get as big as barbarus

[@SebastianJc]

hey @AntsVienna why did you stop uploading? you are a really good youtuber and should never quit.

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you so much for the support Sebastian! A lot has happened, but I am finally working on producing videos again! Next one will be ready this August! 😄🐜

[@michaelkramerados3751]

Hi AntsVienna! I'm a beginner Antkeeper from germany who got heavily Inspired by you and AntsCanada. In mid July I managed to catch my first Lasius Queen and so my personal antjourney finaly began. I like your videos a lot and just wanted to say Thank you for all the advice and useful content you provide. Ant Love Forever

[@AntsVienna]

Hallo Michael! Glad if my videos can help you out, here are some of my ant guides - just in case 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ_VpHeCat9jnrM&ab_channel=AntsVienna Grüße aus Wien!

[@myrtorp]

I have Lasius Niger and Flavus caught last year when starting out. L Niger are very fun to watch and active, and seem like the perfect beginner species. It is so cool to give a fly in the outworld and watch a scout finding it and telling everyone and see the ants going out in force to get it. I would love to have Messor Barbarus but they are not native here in Sweden so I have second thoughts about it.

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there. Glad you are happy with your Lasius Niger! If you want a Messor Barbarus just get one - they are pretty affordable these days - I've seen them go as low as 5 Euro on some shops. They are also highly unlikely to cause any harm to the local ecosystem if you let them free - I doubt they would survive a swedish winter. So - no reason not to get a colony! 😉🐜

[@kristijanveljaca1687]

Good video, but I have to disagree with you on Tetramorium caespitum, although I agree they're relatively easy to keep, they can be troublesome, they tend to be messy and very difficult to move, also in bigger colonies they may chew out of ytong or nests of cheap plastic so that's one thing to watch out for. I would replace them with Messor barbarus on your list, they're easy to feed and care for

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks for the input Kristijan! Yes, they can be troublesome, but I didn't have any such experiences so far. And YES - Messor Barbarus are pretty much interchangable with any species on my list😉👍🐜

[@kristijanveljaca1687]

@@AntsVienna When I was writing the comment I was still watching the video, didn't know there was a bonus species, my bad 🙃

[@seangere9698]

My personal favorite and the easiest ant species I have kept is Crematogaster californica when I lived in San Diego California 15 years ago. Probably the easiest of the 10 species I kept back then. They are a small species but have a high reproduction cycle. I went from just a queen to over 30 nantics in only a couple of weeks and well over a hundred workers in just over a month.

[@AntsVienna]

Cool! Yes, Crematogaster are a very potent ant species - in terms of reproduction rate. I did not include them on this list because they grow too fast and could overwhelm a beginner. They also are escape artists

[@musicman9210]

Just the vid I been looking for!🎉 I started with lasius niger, they are a really nice specie.

[@AntsVienna]

I LOVE Lasius Niger for what they are - Great experience. You could try a Formice (eg. Fusca) or Camponotus species next 😉

[@musicman9210]

Well definitely messor barbarus, also thinking about campanotus nocobarensis

[@musicman9210]

I can also go with Formica Fusca

[@AntsVienna]

Can't do anything wrong with either Camp. Nicobarensis or Formica Fusca - Got videos of both species on the channel! PS: Nicobarensis Update video coming soon😉

[@musicman9210]

Nice

[@Svoorhout85]

I started a Messor Barbarus colony this week. I noticed the difference in workers size right away! The big ones do the heavy lifting. As soon as I opened the test tube to connect it to the outworld they were eager to get to work. Carrying seeds out of the nest and covering the entrance with gravel. Theyve calmed down quite a bit now, and I suspect theyre preparing to go on their delayed hibernation. Only a few scouts leave the nest now. I'll continue to monitor them and if it stays quiet, i'll move the ant farm to a cooler room to let them sleep.

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there. Glad you like your Messor. From what you said your ants have succesfully moved in and prepared for winter - which for Messor means a Diapause between November-February at 12° Celsius. So YES - you can go ahead and put them in the cooler room right away😉

[@danielalexander8108]

I had the lasius niger whilst at university and it was incredible, loved looking after them, very rewarding

[@AntsVienna]

Totally understand how you felt - I still love mine today😄🐜

[@markmonster8748]

Nice man, i would have loved to know that back when i started!

[@AntsVienna]

Well, hope this helps many people out that feel ready to start by easing their ant choice 😄

[@CaledonianCraft]

Hi, I am about to start my first ever attempt at raising an ant colony. This was a great video and really helpful, I will be watching more of your videos in the coming days! I have one question. As it is already August it seems most ant species will be going into hibernation next month. Should I wait until after this hibernation period to buy my first queen and get started? I assume if I bought her now then the colony would not have time to grow and settle before the hibernation time hit making it a difficult start for them?

[@AntsVienna]

Hibernation usually starts end of Oktober for most species. That being said I would in fact advise you to get a colony around April. That's when the ants start getting active, so you will have more fun with them at the start if you can afford/want to wait

[@CaledonianCraft]

@@AntsVienna Thanks for the reply buddy. I will go for April!

[@uglypeoplewish9836]

Yayyy glad you posted havent seen you in a while

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there. True, sorry for the longer wait - I'm preparing a LOT of stuff for you guys behind the scenes... stay tuned! 😉

[@uglypeoplewish9836]

@@AntsVienna YUHHH CANT WAIT

[@buteryte]

Yesterday i bought messor barbarus queen with some workers. Starting the hobby

[@AntsVienna]

Congrats on your Barbarus Queen then! I am sure you are going to love ant keeping. You can check out this video and avoid many mistakes people make when starting out - its going to make your experience so much better long term 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqpqIWEhqqErLc&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@buteryte]

@@AntsVienna thanks

[@sebag.001]

In my opinion, hibernating species should never be recommended for beginners. The process for putting a colony in and out of diapause can be frustrating and loaded with mistakes.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Seba! That is a valid argument, but I 'll have to disagree! I think getting a pause from ant keeping is essential so you can reflect on your progress and just get a break and work on some of your other hobbies. For most people moving the ants in a cooler room will do the job in terms of hibernation

[@AntBlue]

Well what the hell else are we supposed to do? Literally all ants in the northern hemisphere hibernate. Buying exotic ants is both VERY unethical and illegal. We kind of dont have a choice do we?

[@mmoggattplays7605]

​@@AntsVienna yeah ,hibernation is also pause for me😅

[@Yustillhere]

I live in Glasgow…. That should say everything

[@AdistuffRBX]

So name a species that’s found in temperate climates, doesn’t hibernate and is easy to catch.

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

Ants also require a heating cable 15 watt, during winter. Not all ants require hibernation. But you can turn off the heat at night if you want ☝️

[@AntsVienna]

Not all ants need heating - only exotic species. And true, not all ant need hibernation, also species dependent

[@Otryvik]

hi there! what a cool video! (as always) I think you're absolutely right, except for... I can't agree with you on messor barbarus. at first the fact that they eat seeds (the ant bread made of eliosoms) is not that hard, in fact it's even better than the honey, because they collect a lot of seeds and then you can leave them for even two weeks with water, and the other spiecies' repletes don't have that amount of capacity. At second, *messor barbarus is not an ant species for begginers.* There are some reasons for that, and i will talk about them but at first, the beggining ant keeper should at least have stabilized lasius niger ant colony. why is that? - everyone will ask. Well.. begginer should note that messor barbarus is REALLY fearful species, and im not even talking about looking at them in their testtube setup, but for example turning on your vaccum cleaner in a room with this species may lead to stagnation or at least queen eating her eggs. the second reason why do i think Messor barbarus are not suitable for begginer ant keepers is that they are EXTREMALY slow! egg-imago period may even take 10 weeks!! Every begginer ant keeper will be patient.. but come on! almost three moths of waiting for next ant generation? the third fact that i find really disturbing is that when you cover your testtube (i'm doing this and i was doing it in the past) you don't really know what's happening, like "why are not they eating the turkish cockroach?" and you are not able to say if larvae are growing and if queen is laying eggs, because they may find some proteins in seeds but my first messor barbarus colony was a bit "retarded" and for them seeds weren't enought but they weren't eating any dead insect. Yes, i think that messors are not good at detecting their needs, like do they need some insect meat. My opinion on genus _messor_ is that if you really want to keep them as first ants, choose messor structor instead of messor barbarus. why? because messor structor is a polygynous ant colony, wnich means that you may for example buy four queen ants and then mix them and they will create a super colony! yes, there were situations in the past when messor barbarus had few queens but this wasn't exacly a polygyne, but more like few colonies in one nest, each colony of their own queen. so yeah. messor barbarus are extremaly not rewarding ant colony for begginer ant species, and the begginer may be frustrated as the one sees dead, flipped workers and queen. seriosusly, choose camponotus nicobarensis or lasius niger! i know that lasius niger are extremaly common and monomorphic, but their hunt strategies and the fact that they have venom (they have stingers!) are really cool. don't throw yourself on deep waters just yet, begginer ant keepers! please, don't do the mistake i did, because it may lead to thoughts like "why do everyone keep messor barbarus, but im that stupid that they died?"

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Your input and experience is much appreciated! 👍 That being said, I still suggest Messor as an ALTERNATIVE beginner, for keepers that seek something different... seed eating, dual chamber system (humid for ants, dry place for seeds, etc.) Seems you have been pretty unlucky though... most people I've spoken with say they really enjoy their M. Barbarus and have grown big colonies fast and effortlessly.

[@Otryvik]

@@AntsVienna yeah, there is an option that all of this wasn't because of me but more like the bad Queen .. well maybe because of this experience of mine, i have a trauma with keeping M. Species as your first ant pet

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, probably true. I've had an ant delivery last summer, where 3 out of 3 colonies died a few days after arrival, due to heatstroke in transit.

[@Otryvik]

@@AntsVienna it's really sad, i would be dead if any of my colonies would be delivered dead. I've fot a question.. if messor barbarus will need proteins, they will finally take the meat I'm offering them?

[@AntsVienna]

YES! If they need protein they will devour any type of protein you provide them - you can try (pre-killed) mealworms, spiders, ham, turkey, eggwhite and them list goes on.. Hope this helps you out! 😉

[@MrSuske13]

I have a messor barbarus colony with about 500 to 700 ants

[@AntsVienna]

Nice! Have they been easy to care for this far? :)

[@nathant7437]

One bad thing about recommending ant species that reproduce fast is that it can become overwhelming too fast and people aren't able to deal with large numbers and end up tossing them.

[@AntsVienna]

True! That's why i did not recommend any exotics, like Camp. Maculatus or Nicobarensis

[@amber-ants]

My personal favourite beginner ant species and the one I started out with is lasius flavius.

[@AntsVienna]

Very nice, easy going starter ants! I love Lasius Flavus! 😃

[@AntsOfSweden]

Greate video👍 love your content. Keep it up👍

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Doing my best with my busy schedule😅

[@Ryan-eo2ee]

My first ants are the Big headed ants!!!

[@AntsVienna]

Sounds nice. Those big headed soldiers definitely look cool 👍

[@FelineFreaksQuest]

my first ant spices that step on my ant farm was a trap jaw ant

[@AntsVienna]

haha - cool!

[@AmandaMoyer]

I would Choose Pavment Ants!

[@AntsVienna]

And that would be an excellent choice! I love mine :)

[@Hatori2212]

Messor's are my favorite too ı would like to see them in the channel because they have massive majors and very good appetite.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Phoenix! Thanks for the answer on my underlying question... I've been "playing" with the idea of keeping messor quite some time... Seems to has come to get them! 😃 Still got to decide on the exact messor sp. though...🤔

[@elijahwells696]

I am getting a Camponotus Pennsylvanicus queen soon, it will be my first colony and I already have brought everything for long-term keep. Any specific tips?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Elijah! Congrats on your Queen :) I'd say that Pennsylvanicus are very similar to Ligniperda in Terms of keeping, so you can watch this video if you want: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKO7gGCcq815etU&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@thisishowidoants8210]

I started with Rainbow Ants (Iridomyrmex Bicknelli,) probably the best starter ants for anyone in Australia.

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, I've heard many ant keepers hyping them as good starter ants on the australian continent. So, how was your experience with them so far? 😄

[@thisishowidoants8210]

​@@AntsVienna Great, it's been a couple years since I last kept them, caught another Bicknelli this month though

[@savagefoxdesigns6692]

Another lesser known role of majors & super majors is they also serve as colony repleats storing a larger portion of food in their social stomachs.

[@AntsVienna]

True! Goes for Camponotus as well. Thanks for bringing it up👍

[@Sapphic.Princess]

Great video! I currently have Lasius niger, Camponotus ligniperda and Messor barbarus. What does everyone else have?

[@corruptededits]

2 lasuis brevicornis

[@kristijanveljaca1687]

Those are very good species to keep, not only if you're a beginner, Camponotus ligniperda can be a bit challenging at times and requires patience but they are beautiful ants

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Ellie - Congrats! You could try some Formica species next 😉

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, LOTS of petience with Ligniperda! They grow VERY slowly. Better get some slightly smaller Campos first

[@Jose-L]

Gosto muito dos teus vídeos, que tem sempre muito bons temas e de grande interesse, foi a primeira vez que alguém falou na camponotus Pensilvânicos, tenho uma colônia já com 3anos e simplismente adoras, continua a partilhar o teu conhecimento, obrigado 🇵🇹🇵🇹💪💪🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜

[@AntsVienna]

Hello wardjan! Glad you enjoy my videos - Thank you for the support! 😃💪🎉 Olá wardjan! Fico feliz que você goste dos meus vídeos - Obrigado pelo apoio! 😃💪🎉

[@manuelagoncalves8604]

My 2 are Messor Barbarus and Camponotus Cruentatus❤

[@AntsVienna]

Nice combo! You are going to love both - Messor are unique with their seed storage and Cruentatus are big, active ants, always a joy to watch 😃

[@skycee9775]

I just recently caught a carpenter queen ant and I already have a strong colony of tetra ants

[@AntsVienna]

Well done! How big is your Tetra colony? What Campo species?

[@skycee9775]

Oh my tetra colony is at least 2 thousand ants at this point and the carpenter ant queen is a camponotus chromaides :D

[@johnnymcfalls1812]

What about Camponatus Casteneus? Where would this one rank on the beginner scale?

[@AntsVienna]

Castaneus are big Campos... They would rank similar to Camp. Pennsylvanicus or Camp. Ligniperda, depending on where you live

[@lari1025]

also lasius niger are the only ones i can find close to my house so i think its the best for me

[@AntsVienna]

Yes - lokal ants are always best! Because they are accustomed to the exact climate you live in

[@Otryvik]

it's really awesome you say that! remember, lasius niger may be monomorphic, but remember that they like hunting and they have stingers! (don't worry they won't do anything harmful to humans, they only sting other insects) as well as lasius niger are really rewardng ant species, really grateful for whatever you give them and really cool.

[@AntsVienna]

Just to clarify some facts: Lasius Niger do NOT have a sting. What the do have though is formic acid, which they rub over their foes/prey when they run all over them. Formica and Camponotus on the other side have a mechanism to spray the acid over a few centimeters distance, that's why feeding formica and/or camponotus in the test tube is not recommended. One species of my list that does in fact have a sting is Tetra, however not harmful to humans as it cannot penetrate the human skin. Hope this clears any misinformation! 😉

[@Otryvik]

@@AntsVienna i was really convinced Lasius sp. Do have stingers since I talked with myrmecologist and he told me so.. we are just Humans, everyone is making mistakes

[@FizzleFX]

Camponotus Foreli is great for non winter starters. Live like Barbarus (normal temps/farms are fine) yet they ain't vegan and only have

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks for the tip! 👍

[@FizzleFX]

@@AntsVienna I had a typo btw. its 5000 not 500... (but messor also go up to 5500 so its not that big a deal i figure) Another tip: acorn ants are not good for starters. Some claim they "are super easy and cheap" to keep and whatnot but... They are so tiny most farms are 100x too much and the slightest drop of honey or water is enough to kill several of them. They also love jailbreaks and can slip tiniest cracks. Plus they are not very interesting. They need 1 drop of honey per month (at most) and tus don't ever leave the nest or do anything interesting :I Your list is way better. I also own Messors btw (my biggest farm) ^^ Those are indeed good starters. Mine loved small crickets and now love worms.

[@KaijuSpawner]

pls make a update on the 13 queen experiment

[@AntsVienna]

Will do. Just giving the ants so time to develop😉🐜

[@juanroldan102]

I would say the common black ant is a great begging ant colony bc they are easy and good to take care if and they put up a fight with live prey

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Yes, the black garden ants are the easiest to get going and also can entertain the keeper a lot :)

[@tigermarizelle5891]

The only problem is that just about no beginner species are native to my country, and those that are, are not sold in stores at all

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. May I ask where you live? Sounds strange to not have access to these ant species

[@tigermarizelle5891]

@@AntsVienna I live in South Africa, but I've found a species that is relatively easy to care for.

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

Harvester ants are the easiest to keep. They can survive on seeds alone for a few weeks, if you cannot watch them. But make sure to feed them water source and chopped up mealworms. Messor ants do not like honey. And sometimes give them lemon and other fruits for sweet ☝️ Harvester ants do make a mess though, so clean it once a while. Clean once every other month. Especially their lids

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you for the Harvester/Messor tips! 👍

[@kair5947]

Caponotus Pennsyvanicus is my first choice.

[@AntsVienna]

Can't go wrong with them, BUT you will need to be patient because the Queen takes months to grow her first workers. If you are buying a colony I suggest getting a Queen with at least 3 workers.

[@Flinky-rc9xh]

For messor barbaros what temperature do they have to be at and what do I do if they haibrant

[@AntsVienna]

Generally for Messor 26 degress celsius from March-Oktober and 12 Celsius from November-February. Hope this hepls you out!

[@ant.414]

Any updates on the lasius flavus queens?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Well, They got out of hibernation last month and I'm giving them some time to grow, so I can show you guys more progress in a video soon😉

[@ub6ilb975]

Love your Videos!

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Hope it helps you out / you enjoed it! 😃

[@FunGameZ99]

I love block ants

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, they do look cool indeed. I've personaly had Colobopsis Truncata, but they grew very slowly and my Queen died later on.

[@alright7941]

I started with camponotus and im suprised some people find them difficult. Ive had mine for a year now and they have a ton of brood and i check their nest multiple times a day and they are never disturbed when doing it. they are really chill ants but easily scared atleast in their outworld.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Nice to know that you are having a great experience with Camponotus. Well, most beginners tend to get bored of them to quickly early on because of the "lack of action". If you are patient with them however, they will thank you for that later on, which seems to have been the case for you 😉👍

[@Majesty_Lord]

What kind of ant farm set up are you using?

[@gaborbarany-helmik638]

Camponotus vagus , camponotus japonicus is the same size as pennsylvanicus and need the same care and all 3 are called the black carpinter ant

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Correct, all are carpenter ants and all are black. That being said Pennsylvanicus are the largest and live mainly in the USA, Vagus are found in Europa and are the smallest of the three, while Japonicus are in the midle regarding size and present habitat in Asia.

[@milanmaes]

I started with lasius flavus and also with tetramorium caespitum.

[@AntsVienna]

Nice, I guess both species were a seemless experience and enjoyable so far? 😃

[@Gary-l9y]

I got a campanotus queen. She is in a test tube but in a week all she has done is pull the cotton wool. The test tube is covered and kept on a shelf.

[@AntsVienna]

Just give her a drop of honeywater and more time. She will settle for the test tube and lay eggs eventually

[@Gary-l9y]

Thank you I’ve done that now and will not look again for a week with just a quick peep.

[@clashpat9874]

Gutes Video

[@AntsVienna]

Danke! Hoffe dies nimmt einigen Anfängern die Angst und hilft Ihnen damit ins Hobby einzusteigen 😄

[@DallasForrester]

i am a starter and i am 10 years old

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Then you have just watched the right video. Here is a Playlist perfect for starters😉👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqpqIWEhqqErLc

[@tribalgamer1737]

AntsViena, I have 4 queens of messor and I puted them all in the same tube, but today, 2 queens were hurted and 1 having her last moments so I took them out of the tube and put the 3 wounds in a separated box from the "leader", do you think I can save at least 2 of them with some larvae? They only have the nanitics ant they still in larvae stage, if you want to see the videos are o my chanel in Portuguese!

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Well, for starters: most Messor species are monogynous - meaning that when you put more than 1 queen in a test tube, they will fight to the death until only one or even none remains alive! So you need to place each queen in 1 test tube separately and hope for the best at this point. Hope they manage to heal up! Good luck!🍀

[@Dinozz22]

Im looking to buy the messor barbarus but can i also find them in these countrys? and if i can which month is when the queen is ready for a place? Germany,Switzerland,Austria,France

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Messor Barbarus is mostly found in south europe... Thankfully they are very common there and prices for a starting colony are usually 5-10 euros max

[@Bob38763]

Where could I get these ants, like where to buy?

[@AntsVienna]

Well, where do live? I'd search online ... just google "buy ants in ...your country..."

[@KingTimmy136]

I really want to start an ant colony..😊 i want big head ands or leafcutter ants

[@AntsVienna]

I would suggest big headed ants between these two species - if you are a beginner

[@dizziedack7853]

Queen boadicea is up to about 10 workers i tried to count 😅 they just got honey and was zooming about

[@AntsVienna]

haha - nice! 👍🐜

[@Myrmeciapyriformis]

Hello, when Can I start offer seeds to my Messor barbarus colony? Thanks! 🐜👍

[@AntsVienna]

If you have messor you should start giving them seeds immidiately! Even you have a single Queen seeds are always welcome😄🐜

[@Myrmeciapyriformis]

@@AntsVienna Thank you very much! My Messor barbarus colony has 3 workers now. I gave them 2 seeds for now

[@AntsVienna]

You can give them up to 10 seeds - try different ones😉

[@zomboi3710]

What camera do u use? I'm looking to start my own ant chanel but dont know what camera to use

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Just start with your mobile phone, see how it goes and then decide if you need need more expensive equipment

[@AllThingsAnts]

and carpenter ants

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, Carpenter ants you can see well, but grow slow for most beginner ant keepers

[@juanc.torres3132]

I strongly disagree with most of what you present in this video, except the L. niger. Tetramorium can be a bit difficult with the foundation; Camponotus should NEVER be the first ant for anyone, very slow growing; and Messor barbarus are known to be the easiest, even more than L. niger. You give them seeds and can leave them alone for weeks, as long as they have water.

[@TankieBoi]

I've been okay with carpenter ants as my first ants. I'm accepting of their slow growth, although they've proven an absolute pain to move. I'd say carpenter ants are beginner-intermediate so maybe not completely beginner ants but since I did a lot of research, they're reasonable to start off with

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Juan! These are all valid arguments. 👍 That being said - in my video i focused on different types of people, like this: - Lasius: Best for pretty much everyone (allrounders) - Tetramorium: For people that like small ants, that become aggresive as the colony gets bigger - Camponotus: For people who really want to take ant keeping slowly. I've had many keepers asking me for a species that does not ned a formicarium in their first year. Plus you can observe Campos better, because of size. - Messor: Bring something different to the table - like seed storage and dual nesting spaces (humid for ants / dra chambers for seeds) Hope this gives you a better understanding of how I was thinking when choosig these specific species as recommendations 😉

[@beanapprentice1687]

Tetramorium (caespitum or immigrans) is the best starter ant in my opinion. They are poor climbers, so they can't escape setups as easily as Lasius (neo)niger. They also do not require hibernation unlike Lasius. And from my experience they have a wider diet range than Lasius.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Yes, Tetra are nice starters, no question about that. However I do find that at least the tetra I find locally do need hibernation, otherwise the brood development stagnates. Lasius have the upper hand in numbers, the L. Queen always gets more nanitics than tetras do, so Lasius are quicker colony starters - not that tetra are slow though.

[@lari1025]

great for me! im only for 6 months with ants and all of my colonies have died :( so i need new ones

[@AntsVienna]

Sorry to hear that! Hope this video helps you in the choice of your next colony! 👍🐜

[@Algifum]

camponotus!

[@AntsVienna]

I admit, when compared side by side the size difference is no joke😂 Here's a video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ65nZJjprSqiMU&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@Ninuturu]

Eyyy a surprise vid

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, came in somewhat late today😅 Hope you enjoy!

[@backonboygkfg]

Thanks

[@AntsVienna]

You're welcome! 😃

[@AntBlue]

How do you get the floor of ytong nests so smooth?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Practice I guess😂 I am generaly very good in the use of tools with my hands and very sensible when it comes to aesthetics - call me a perfectionist 😅🐜

[@AntBlue]

@@AntsVienna I thought you painted it or something. The floor on mine has a bunch of bubbles like the walls.

[@devourer8426]

Is camponotus americus a good start. Are driver ants also a ggod start

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Devourer! I suggest staying away from driver ants as a beginner, far from ideal to start with! On the other hand Camp. Americanus are fine to start with: Somewhat slower growth and colony development (compared to e.g. Lasius) but otherwise good allrounders - As soon as the Queen has a few workers you should provide them access to an outworld with some sand and small rocks, they like that 😉 Also here are some beginner mistakes to avoid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqpqIWEhqqErLc&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@devourer8426]

@@AntsVienna I caught a trapjaw queen recently and I gave a jumping spider to eat but for some reason the enclosure flooded I don't know why and also she broke here wings but didn't lay eggs

[@hubertkocot5609]

Hello there.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello and welcome 😃

[@SouthAfricanantguy2653]

Can you make a Campo Nico update 😢😢

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there - Yes, of course. As a matter of fact I'm working on their new setup right now... Video update should be ready in a couple of weeks😉

[@SouthAfricanantguy2653]

@@AntsVienna yay

[@MrLasiusNiger]

Nice video 👍

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you very much! I guess you started with L. Niger? 😉🐜

[@MrLasiusNiger]

@@AntsVienna yep I did indeed and have a nicely sized colony

[@miyacatkitten3937]

I cant lie i suffer trying to keep carpenter ants like they die after a few days but iv been able to keep trap jaws,fire ants like anyone got advice?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there Miya! Sorry to hear that you didn't have much success with Camponotus... May I suggest you join our AV Discord - there are hundreds of ant keepers around the world there that will hapilly give advice in our chats. Here is an invite😉 discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@ElijahsAnts]

First! Also Great Video!

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks and Congrats! 🎉🐜🐜🐜

[@julietconstantino1306]

Hello Ants Vienna im a beginner i live in Philippines, is there beginner ants that are easy to find in Philippines?Thank you ❤❤

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Juliet! Not familiar with Philippine ants, but I know that most of the species that live there are active all year long! So the best ants for you to catch is a Queen that flies near your home and is used to the environmental contitions there😉🐜

[@zomboi3710]

I started with a lasius niger colony

[@AntsVienna]

Best ants. I always recommend them to starters or even to ant keepers who want a relaxed experience!

[@grexodus5493]

YESS!!! Another AV video!! 🐜🐜🐜

[@AntsVienna]

You're welcome! 😁

[@govindankuttyv]

Which ant do you recommend that are found in India

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there! Apparently Paratrechina longicornis seem to be a good choice in India

[@govindankuttyv]

Do you mean the crazy black ants

[@RodTheCod5]

Pov: the first ant queen u found and raise is a Lasius Niger.

[@AntsVienna]

My first Queen Ant was a Formica Cunicularia - also the first video on the channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3yyiaGght-ikM0&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@RodTheCod5]

I Also got 2 brachymymex patagonicus Queens.

[@nathancentofanti538]

Are campnoutus every where

[@AntsVienna]

Camponotus have over 1000 different subspecies, so yes, you should be able to find Camponotus almost everywhere😉🐜

[@ocelotgaming72]

I bought a cork ant nest a while ago, can any of these starter ants live in one?

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, there are a few Camponotus Ants you can let live in a cork nest. As well as Lasius Ants

[@ocelotgaming72]

Do you think camponotus ligniperda would be able to live in a cork nest?

[@AntsVienna]

Absolutely! They often do that in the wild where I live

[@ocelotgaming72]

Thanks for the help

[@FamTech.]

hi! I saw your older video on the camponotus nicobarensis! I got 2 camponotus nicobarensis queens! But do/did you ceep the nest in the light or whif a cover on it? And what is youre advise to what i soude do?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. I do keep my Nicobaresis without a dark lid on them and they seem to do fine, they got used to it. Not much you can do wrong with nicobarensis - just feed them and keep them clean (mine are stockpiling dirt😅)

[@FamTech.]

@@AntsVienna hi there thanks for your answer! Nice to hear they are doing good! Maybe its time to make an update video on them it has been a year since the last one! What nest do you currently ceep them in? And how many workers do they have now? 😄👍

[@AntsVienna]

You will see in the update video - I'm currently building them a new nest 😉

[@TankieBoi]

I can't get my camponotus pennsylvanicus and novaeboracensis to move, any advice? I tried light exposure but the ants got confused and didn't move, and they aren't moving into the new nest despite the test tube having mold. They use water from the outworld to rehydrate is but I'm worried if I take it away to encourage a move, they will run out of water before figuring out what to do

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Tankie Boi! I had the same issue with my Camp. Maculatus - Test tube had moldand light exposure and some workers died, but colony did not want to move to Esthetic ants nest. Then I placed a heating matt underneath the nest and the ants moved within 1 hour! 😅😂 So just try to make their new home comfortable and they will move in innevitably

[@govindankuttyv]

I live in India

[@AntsVienna]

Greetings to India my friend! 👋🐜

[@SouthAfricanantguy2653]

Hi can you get pheidole megacephepala btw its me Daniel swart

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Daniel! Well I tried Pheidohle Palidulla, but queen died due to heat stroke in transit. So, if I get Pheidohle again its 99% going to be Megacephala 😃🐜

[@SouthAfricanantguy2653]

@@AntsVienna please get pheidole megacephepala and they inbreed and don't hibernate

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, these are pretty much the 2 good arguments they have going for them

[@ವಿಚಾರಮಂಟಪ]

Hi.. Anyone here from india ?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. If you are looking for people to chat I can only recommend you our discord. Here is your invite: discord.com/invite/PBw6BvU

[@noh2.070]

Bro can you please give me an ant queen because it's extremely rare for me to find a ant queen o and I live in Germany

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Queens are flying later this year because it's too cold right now. You should be able to find a Lasius Queen in June/July no problem - they are pretty much everywhere, even in the cities. Have a look at the queen ant nuptial flight schedule I mention in this video, for germany it's very accurate. 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2bCin2EmdRnqLs&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@noh2.070]

@@AntsVienna tanks I thought I was gast unlucky bat why das the ant calendar tells me that a lot of ants are having der nuptial flight can you please tell me

[@AntsVienna]

hello again. This year has been pretty cold so far. My guess is that most Queens will be swarming later this year - probably within June-July

[@noh2.070]

@@AntsVienna ok thanks 😁😁😁

[@MakiGirl2010]

You can skip the first 1:25 to save time... :S ...or the whole video! ;)

[@AntsVienna]

Attention much appreciated, hope you enjoyed nontheless. What species did you start with?

[@MakiGirl2010]

@@AntsVienna I'm about to start that's why I wanted to watch your video! ...sadly your style is not for me... Good luck!

[@AntsVienna]

Wish you good luck too! Ant keeping is an amazing hobby, you will not regret it 😉🍀

[@laycaaaaa8562]

Me ant 😀 1

[@AntsVienna]

Nice! 👍🐜

[@AllThingsAnts]

pavement ants

[@AntsVienna]

Yeap 👍

[@lydiaNdegwa-fs1yo]

Fire. Ants

[@AntsVienna]

Cool! Just watch out because they grow fast!!😅😂

[@jesperbrickley6336]

Camponontus Pennsylvanicus

[@AntsVienna]

A good choice!

[@Duolingo16638]

My favorite aunt to be begin with fire ants I have six queen fire ants together

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there! Then you are up for a rocket start with 6 queens! Also fire ants are invasive, so make sure they cannot escape your formicarium later on

[@EvilPeppermintHelix]

Can't get Lasius Niger in Arizona :(

[@AntsVienna]

No, but you should have Lasius NEOniger there - it's the US variant😉👍

[@EvilPeppermintHelix]

@@AntsVienna Holy crap you're right!