TOP 5 Mistakes in Ant Keeping | How to Raise an Ant Colony

[@AntsVienna]

Hope this Tutorial helps you guys out! Let me know by commenting💬 👉 More ANT KEEPING TUTORIALS here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5mTYYGkr8p3n7M 🐜💻 Join our DISCORD SERVER here: discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@grexodus5493]

Awesome vid AV! i bet it will help many beginners, I wish this was live back when i found my queen!

[@assumjongkey1383]

Can u speak german??

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you! Feel free to share then😉

[@AntsVienna]

Yeap. Was gibt's denn? 🙂

[@anshpratapsinghg9376]

Hi

[@nathant7437]

I'm an ant newbie but I wanna add: 1. Don't ever use bugs out in your garden to feed your ants due to pesticides and parasites. 2. For certain ants like Carpenter Ants, quite a few people notice growth issues when they're about 2-4 years because the ants also need a supply of URIC Acid, you can find it powder form but it is naturally from bird poop or roaches, especially if the roaches are fed on a high protein diet and then later, fed to your ants. 3. There's a slightly different temperature gradient for Outworld and inside the Nest. Like carpenters, inside their nest they like it 68-77 for non desert, the outworld they can handle 82F or maybe more. Some ant species become permanently infertile if the temperature is too hot inside the nest, some as low as 86.

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks for the input! Yes, indeed all the things you mentioned are helpful too - it would just make the video too long

[@kenjiro2676]

Native species are my go too, or ones I can find locally, are probably the best species for me. I plan on looking for acorns, and looking for temnothorax acorn ants. These species stay very small and their colonies are also small, so perfect for someone that wants a small formicarium..

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Yes, I always suggest native species, since they already live in your current climate. If you go for acorn ants keep in mind that those are REALLY SMALL... They look like dots unless you get very close. Due to the small size of workers you are also going to need good escape prevention and very tight tolerances (no gaps) in their formicarium.

[@klippschliefer4968]

I accidentaly got four colonys of them, 3 Temnothorax nylanderi and one other species. The first one i bought for 10€, the rest i got from sticks i collected for my Stupidly big beetles. one colony even run around my room, but they didnt do anything, so i leave them.

[@ARTNO0B7]

​@@AntsVienna Is a magnifying glass recommended for small species?

[@Natural_Power]

Another part to add to tip 1 (the last one) Find the ants you want to keep in the wild, it'll help you design an outworld, for example you'll find Crematogaster scuttelaris can travel very far so you know not to make a small outworld but to ass some walking space/tubes

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! That is doable. I actually filmed those scutellaris in greece, back in 2018😅😎

[@Natural_Power]

Hoping to catch some this year, I planned my 2 month summer vacation so I'll be in South-France in july to get a chance on catching them, though I'd love some camponotus too, which I hope my stepmom meant when she said "Those flying ants were massively huge", apprently they fly a lot in that time

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, Camponotus fly first, from May to July kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2bCin2EmdRnqLs

[@gohanis]

I am so happy to find your channel, I have no idea why it's never come up. I started watching antscanada a couple years ago and every Saturday is my favorite day. Can't tell you how happy I am to find you and your backlog of videos and tutorials, I love the way you speak, you give important details without overloading me, which I really like cuz I'm an amateur. Thank you!

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Ken! Glad you find my videos informative - Welcome to AntsVienna :) If you are an ant keeping beginner I suggest you start with this playlist, this is going to explain the basics so you can follow my other videos even more easily - have fun watching😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqpqIWEhqqErLc

[@intriguingants745]

This helped me alot I'm just waiting for Europe nuptial flight 👍✅

[@Natural_Power]

What country ya live? First year of keeping?

[@intriguingants745]

@@Natural_Power UK and yes it will be my first year

[@AntsVienna]

You're welcome! First nuptial flights should start in April-May, Camponotus Queens always fly first! Watch this for more info on them 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYrEZ2aHnZaoqdk

[@intriguingants745]

@@AntsVienna ok

[@AntsVienna]

Good luck with Queen catching then! Will make sure to update you guys!

[@richarddaviddy2182]

Love this video ! I just finished making my Grout Formicarium.

[@AntsVienna]

Sounds cool! Feel free to send me a pick over discord or instagram. I plan to make a grout formicarium tutorial for you guys😉

[@antssoutheast3509]

@@AntsVienna I also finished making my grout formicarium. I made it tidepool-themed with some corals and seashells. I chipped off the bottom and added dirt so that the ants can dig if they want.

[@princemanalo1190]

Keep uploading more about ants!❤️

[@AntsVienna]

Will do so😉

[@AntWarriors]

Amazing video man, that's a lot of good information you gave there. Great job man👏👏👍👍

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you! Like I said in the video: I tried to pack as much useful information in as I could😎

[@antsandpets]

great video your I bet your tips will really help some new ant keepers :)

[@AntsVienna]

Hope so! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@weasel7292]

Great video! I keep a Messor barbarus but I didn't hibernate them this winter because I couldn't find a place that had the right temperature :(

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, finding a place with enough space + the right temperature can prove hard sometimes... I would suggest a basement or something, or even close to a window or a cold wall.

[@klippschliefer4968]

I didnt hibernate my ladius flavus for two years, because every time the WINTER IS COMMING, they almost die and i was scared to hibernate them, one time there was only the queen. But everything is good so far, and this time, they get their hibernation

[@MinigunL5]

Cool video! Just know that some genera of ants can actually skip hibernation, even if they're from temperate regions where it gets cold. For example, Tetramorium, Solenopsis, and even Myrmica. Now for some others like Formica and Camponotus you probably should hibernate them but just keep in mind that it depends on the genus.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello again! Thanks, I know - That's why I used the term "endogenus biorhythm". The genera like Tetramorium etc. have an exogen rhytm, which means that hibernation can be shipped by adjusting temperatures accordingly... whether or not that is a good thing is a rather controversial topic though.

[@intriguingants745]

Is the Lasius Niger (black garden ants) able to skip hibernation

[@MinigunL5]

@@intriguingants745 no

[@intriguingants745]

@@MinigunL5 ok i just like to know so now I can prepare for hibernation when I get ants

[@AntsVienna]

Hibernation is from end of October until end of March, for ant species native to the UK

[@Ninuturu]

amazing footage in the introduction ^^ Very informative video

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you Lynn ^^ Yes, thought I'd make use of that somewhat older (2018) footage

[@blithefulbee]

When I first started, a year ago, I made lots of mistakes and it resulted in the death of many of my first colonies/queens.. my biggest mistake was being impatient. This hobby definitely requires LOTS of patients.

[@blithefulbee]

Sorry, 3 years ago.

[@AntsVienna]

It is not wrong to make mistakes - as long as you learn from them. What ant colonies do you keep? :)

[@blithefulbee]

@@AntsVienna 6 camponotus (mostly pensylvanicus, one mystery camponotus) 3 formica (2 subsericea, one mystery formica) 3 tubes of tetramorium (about a dozen or more queens in each tube) and 2 mystery yellow ants i thought mightve been acanthomyops, but im not sure. yellow-brown in color and 4-5x smaller then my camponotus. all of them are around there first-second round of nanitics^^ my past mistakes deffo make me a better antkeeper/beekeeper now:)

[@AntsVienna]

Cool! Seems you got a nice variety of ant species you keep :) So, do you have a favorite ant colony?

[@blithefulbee]

@@AntsVienna yeah ive got lots- my dream species is deffo the more exotics in general, honeypot ants, trapjaw ants, the cool shiny blue ants, etc.. my fav ant colony so far might be the formica subs, they are incredibly smart, it scares me.. they associated me opening the tube with them getting sugar water, and basically rush to the cotton the moment i put my finger on it, and all crowd around the syringe and try there best to keep the syringe in there home, infinite supply of sugar water, lmao:'D i love them.

[@ocelotgaming72]

what if you live in somewhere like Ireland where it only snows maybe 2-3 times every winter? should we let them hibernate or is it ok to not have them hibernate

[@AntsVienna]

Most species in europe need the hibernation from November-March or even April. You should keep your Ants cold over the whole period, without breaks.

[@ocelotgaming72]

@@AntsVienna thanks i just wanted to check in case there was any difference meant to be made

[@gaborbarany-helmik638]

I pudded my Camponotus vagus colonie into a formikarium when they had 5 workers and they are doing very good so far they are eating and drinking and growing , and thanks for the help cause i didn't know when do i need to move my lasius emarginatus colony into a formikarium .🐜🐜

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Gabor! Glad my video helped you out😄 Here you can check my Ant Guide on Lasius Emarginatus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIrQlZVmi52obc0&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@jxck_cars]

WOW!! GREAT VID. REALLY HELPFUL

[@AntsVienna]

Always glad when I can help! Feel free to share it with others that may need help😉

[@BeautifulPlanetChannel]

Thank you for sharing these tips my friend

[@AntsVienna]

You're welcome! Hope this helped you out! Feel free to share with anyone having troubles with the hobby😉

[@antsplann]

Good footage, indispensable guide for beginners, also to iniciated for refreshing concepts

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you! The idea here was to create a "compact" guide to help beginners into the hobby and other fellow ant keepers that are having issues to make their ant keeping journey more enjoyable😃

[@VarmintLP]

9:15 Hibernation is important. But sadly you cannot always hibernate them. Especially if you have a big setup that you cannot move. :/

[@AntsVienna]

I always try to put my setups on a bigger plate, so I can move them to the rather cold basement in winter. Setup example with bottom plate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4G2nYeAZ8SoobM

[@VarmintLP]

@@AntsVienna Well it's not so much an issue with having a wide spread setup. I wouldn't mind disconnecting 10-20 pieces of the setup and putting it into the basement. My issue is more the fact that my biggest colony had a fish tank of 50-60L that is 60% filled with soil including draining layer, etc. Cannot really risk that to break while moving down. I would be devestated if it would break. :C

[@AntsVienna]

Ok, that filled fish tank is another story. I can see your point there

[@VarmintLP]

@@AntsVienna I would carry it with a good wooden plate underneath but then again I need at least one or two people to help me with it :/

[@tauk38]

Wow thanks, this helped alot. i made almost every one of them mistakes!

[@AntsVienna]

You're welcome. I made this based on the questions/problems I get asked most, glad I could help you out😃🐜

[@tim_bize]

Very good ant channel

[@AntsVienna]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy :)

[@FizzleFX]

10:20 camponotus Foreli Do not winter but slow down. Buff and small. Good starter i think

[@AntsVienna]

hmmm... Camp. Foreli... willl look into them 😉

[@alexandernh2210]

Hmmm 🤔 ... ... Mistake number 4 sounds a bit familiar 🤔🤔 - ant Holleufer 😂 Els a great video 😄🙌🏻

[@AntsVienna]

Haha. Yes, I thought it was a good fit for the video and had another 4 Points to accompany it😉

[@alexandernh2210]

@@AntsVienna 😂😂

[@blithefulbee]

I started antkeeping when I was 10-11 yeah I made all of the common mistakes.. even learned how cruel nature is (I have to dissect my crickets before feeding them to my ants, and most crickets have parasites, maggots.. god forbid that horse worm or whatever hellspawn they call it, and some other weird parasite I observe takes over it’s host and eats it’s organs alive..) but that’s made me become a better ant keeper, and now beekeeper, 3-4 years later ^^

[@AntsVienna]

The insect world might look cruel at first, but everything has a reason for happening. Glad you stayed with ant keeping👍

[@tsrandomchannel912]

Hairworms? Poor crickets:(

[@block_shado]

What do you make your formicariums out of? I can't find a good material to make it out of

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Krischan! There are many different materials you can make ant nests with, like Ytong, Firebrick , wood, cork, plaster and the list goes on... I suggest you have a look at our Ant Farm Build Tutorial series kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKGpfaOlppWrZ5o

[@block_shado]

Awsome thanks man

[@pressterra2030]

Do I feed them while they are in the tube?

[@AntsVienna]

Not when the Queen is alone - only after first workers are born. But you do not need to feed them when in hibernation

[@joannmarzi2056]

The video helped so much,plz make more

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Jo Ann! Glad my video could help you out! Here is the full playlist I suggest for beginners in ant keeping 🐜 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqpqIWEhqqErLc

[@leonBUSSNESMROINA]

THANKS I HAVE A ANT QUEEN THIS HELPED A LOT

[@AntsVienna]

You are welcome fellow ant keeper - always glad when my videos help people out :)

[@leonBUSSNESMROINA]

​@@AntsViennaALL MY QUEEN ANTS DIED HOPE THAT ONE DOSENT DIE

[@CarterK-r5v]

Bro is stuck on caps lock

[@jonathanthompson4734]

My 3 Myrmica rubra queens aren't laying. They're in an S3 wakooshi nest. I think I put them in there too early. Will take them out soon if I see no improvement.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Jonathan! I don't know when you caught your Queens. But native european ant species will start laying eggs again starting in May

[@ghostly4558]

I live in South east Asia (tropical countries) its never really cold do my ants still need to hibernate?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. No, if do not have cold snowy winters, then native ants probably do not hibernate. BUT if you were to buy let's say a european species then you would need to put them in the fridge during european winter. Hope this explanation helps you out! 😃🐜

[@ghostly4558]

@@AntsVienna thank you! Fortunately this comment just came on the right time or else my ants wouldn't have been able to hibernate

[@Ichlos4943]

Awsome video

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Hope this proves useful to many fellow ant keepers :)

[@Schmidii93]

awesome video!

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Make sure to avoid those things and your ants will love you! :)

[@UmzGames]

Brilliant set of tips here.

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Tried to combine the most useful tips in a single video - based on the Questions I get the most from you guys😁

[@EthanGordon-dt8ix]

I want that at 4:32 That looks really cool, the ants cant escape because of the water, so they're is no need for a lid.

[@AntsVienna]

Exactly! The water exists as a natural barrier and ants don't make any attempts to cross it.

[@milchael]

Video Starts at 2:00

[@AntsVienna]

For those that are in hurry that is...😉

[@antsphere1823]

Is it essential to gradually cool the ants for hibernation? I have a Camponotus Novaeboracensis queen with eggs and I don’t think nanitics will come before hibernation so I will need to hibernate them in their test tube.

[@AntsVienna]

Hibernating ants in the test tube during their first winter is actually the best thing you can do, since they will have all the humidity they need and you don't run into the mistake of potentially forgetting to water your colony. However, I would give your Queen time until the end of October before you hibernate her - maybe the first nanitcs manage to come until then 😉

[@antsphere1823]

@@AntsVienna ok, when they do come (I now think they will as the eggs have hatched into larvae) should I move them or keep them in the tube? I have a formicarium (THA mini hearth) ready for them.

[@TheSCP_Foundation]

Wait i just realised this is your video Lol. I really thought hmmmm vet good video and then i saw antsvienna on your formicarium and i knew it was you

[@AntsVienna]

Haha - Maybe I should make my branding more obvious

[@bloxycola_enjoyer8756]

The ant alates in new jersey are sometimes 1/4 of the size of the queens or majors you see in this vid

[@AntsVienna]

haha, well every ant species has different perks😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpDKhouHnbishq8

[@tiskster_ptm4075]

I'm planning to get a honeypot ant colony and I need to know whether honeypot ants are large medium or small so that I dont make the mistake of moving them too fast! Please reply to my question Also if you have any extra tips on raising honeypot ants I would like to know!

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! What species of honeypot ants are we talking about? There are a few. I haven't kept any personally, but I recommend you join our discord, because we have ant keepers there that do actually have experience with them😉🐜 discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@tiskster_ptm4075]

@@AntsVienna on the website I am gonna buy them from it doesnt state the species of honeypot ants they are but I can say the queen is dark red, and I'm in a bit of a pickle with discord right now but I can try to make an account and do that!

[@tim_bize]

Honeypots are one of my favorites

[@tim_bize]

with the repletes large bodies

[@tim_bize]

But they are not easy to keep because many queens don't survive most of the time i think

[@matthew-jg7de]

I have a specie that eat seeds how often should i give protein and sugerwater

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. For Harvester ants protein and sugarwater are secondary resources. I suggest feeding them protein 2 times a week for small colonies and every 2nd day for large colonies. Sugarwater is at your discretion - I would do twice a week. Hope this helps you out!

[@nicholasgarduno8696]

Does anyone know or have a link to the Ant Farm he has in his hands for Mistake #3?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Nicholas! I take it you mean Mistake#4 😄 The Ant Farm I am holding one I made myself. Here is the Link to my DIY Tutorial about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5q7gHebpZJ3fK8&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@ddbeast9661]

lets say if you were to buy an ant queen in September, would you need to put the queen in some substrate immediately to start hybernation? is there like a thing for that?

[@AntsVienna]

hello there. It depends on the ant species. Many species hibernate from October to March. So yes, If you buy a Queen let's say in September she probably won't be laying any more eggs or evolve her brood further than larva (best hibernation stage for ant brood). Hibernation is best done in test tube setup to ensure proper hydration. Here's my video on hibernation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6WnpKqMfZp9aMk

[@YohananYGO]

I want to have a colony of Either Messor Wasmanni Messor Barbarus Or Cataglyphis Nodus Which one of those are the easiest to keep?

[@AntsVienna]

To be completely transparent to you: I haven't kept any of these ant species. HOWEVER, from what ant keepers from our community are talking about --> Messor Barbarus are not only the easiest to keep, but also pretty autonomous (feeding with seeds) and fairly large ants too. So I personally would choose Messor Barbarus. Hope this helps you out! :)

[@Josuelzoo]

The size of the colony for most ant species to be ready for a formicarium is actually S ants (such as pavement ants and fire ants) : 70-100 workers M ants (such as harvester ants): 40-60 workers L ants (such as carpenter): 25-50 workers (better if you wait until they reach 70 workers! However, this could depend on the size of their initial nest)

[@AntsVienna]

You will have to at least provide your ants with an outworld in between ... with the numbers you mention they would "choke" in a test tube

[@justanindigoplanet]

@AntsVienna What if you own a Lasius colony but live in a tropical place. Do you still have to hibernate them?

[@AntsVienna]

It depends... If wild Lasius colonies do not hibernate there, then you won't need to hibernate them in captivity either.

[@justanindigoplanet]

@@AntsVienna Oh okay. Thank you for answering my query

[@fiji9966]

very informative video, i'm planning on getting my own ant farm this year but tbh i'm really worried that I'll mess something up😔i'll try my best at least, sadly i dont know anyone for personal help so i'm trying to rely on these videos to help me nail my first colony

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Fiji! Don't worry, just give it a try😉 Here is my playlist with the most essential videos you will need: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqpqIWEhqqErLc&ab_channel=AntsVienna Also, you can join our AntsVienna Discord and live chat with ant keepers all over the world - here is your invite: discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@fiji9966]

@@AntsVienna danke danke ❤️🙏

[@thejadewarrior5455]

I did mistake #4 and I regret it so much. They moved the brood and everything, which im happy about. But the queen is running everywhere

[@AntsVienna]

Give them some time to settle. It will work out, they just arent used to bog spaces

[@thejadewarrior5455]

@@AntsVienna thank you, unfortunately 3/6 of the nanitics died with the rest moving slowly, the queen is alive but I don't have much hope for the future.

[@binicle]

how can i hybernate them cause the winter where i live is too cold to put them on my balcony and i cant put them in a mini fridge cause i dont have one (i have a myrmica rubra)

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. I hibernate mine in the basement at 10 degrees celsius. Here is a dedicated video on hibernation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6WnpKqMfZp9aMk&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@Lights_edits-o4j]

I have a ant colony but one of my ants have wings but they are very small im just asking if it is a queen?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Usually smaller ants with wings are males/drones. Queens have bigger gaster. Hope this helps you out somewhat!

[@happyantuk1995]

Great helpful video 👍🏻😃🐜🇬🇧

[@AntsVienna]

Always glad when I can help! Has any of these happened to you?

[@happyantuk1995]

@@AntsVienna not really I always done research beforehand, maybe I might have checked them too much when I first started 😅👍🏻😃🐜🇬🇧

[@riprobbie851]

I think I put my ants into there nest to soon which was about 2 years ago and there numbers have always stayed small (about 5-20 workers), what do I do because I just had taken them out of hibernation a day ago and I haven’t seen them eat the honey I gave them and I haven’t been disturbing the nest much. also I’ve alway fed them honey and crushed meal worm as there diet

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. First of all: Give your ants a few days out of hibernation before feeding them. Their bodies need some time to adjust to the higher temperatures and raise their metabolism. Diet seems fine to me. How is watering? Do you keep them humid? Also, you need to expose your ants to a proper day-night cycle... if you keep them permanently dark, then they will not forage as intended

[@riprobbie851]

@@AntsVienna thank you! That puts my mind at ease and I always try my best to simulate the outside world for them so that’s not the issue. love your videos

[@TacticalGuy572]

i moved an ant colony into a farm too fast! and they're now trashing the first floor😢

[@AntsVienna]

That has happened to me many times. When the colony grows and needs the room they do clean it up later usually

[@TacticalGuy572]

@@AntsVienna oh ok

[@Equestrian_forlife-u6s]

Do the queens always get stressed if you check up on them often since mine has laid 11 eggs and is very calm whenever I check on her

[@AntsVienna]

Generally speaking even if the Queen does not run all over the place in panic, it does stress her out. So I would not check more than once a week for any reason!

[@Equestrian_forlife-u6s]

@@AntsVienna ok thank you

[@jayz3774]

The cotton in the testube (which is for the water) looks dry. What should i do?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Is there any water left in test tube? If yes, you can try to push the cotton more towards the water side

[@jayz3774]

Yes its a freshly caught queen. I pushed the cotton in last time it looked dry but it still looks dry rn

[@jayz3774]

Im afraid it will hurt or startle the queen

[@AntsVienna]

Most of the time pushing the cotton should not be an issue. What ant species is your Queen?

[@jayz3774]

I think its a carpenter ant species

[@VarmintLP]

8:25 why does the larvae look so much like Croissants. ^^'

[@AntsVienna]

haha - I guess someone is eating too much Croissants😜

[@VarmintLP]

@@AntsVienna Not really but I see them nearly every day at the bakery. ^^

[@goldx8878]

Can i use another thing without cotton in test tube

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. No, cutton is required. You could use cotton buds instead of loose cotton

[@goldx8878]

@@AntsVienna thank you bro ☺️☺️

[@AntKeeperRogie]

informative, thanks!

[@richarddaviddy2182]

Hi :)

[@AntKeeperRogie]

@@richarddaviddy2182 Hello :)

[@richarddaviddy2182]

@@AntKeeperRogie I see your posts on Facebook :)

[@AntKeeperRogie]

@@richarddaviddy2182 which one?

[@richarddaviddy2182]

@@AntKeeperRogie My favorite post is your post about you Harpegnathor ants

[@adripTy]

Can I check them only two times a day? 😊

[@AntsVienna]

Better not. I check mine once a week when in the Queen-only stage

[@FizzleFX]

2:00 start

[@AntsVienna]

Well - I had to mention a these things before we get into all the various reasons! :)

[@Mina-f8h]

how often can check on a queen ant?

[@AntsVienna]

In the founding phase (only Queen, no workers) I suggest maximum once every 14 days. As as workers are born you can check every couple of days. Hope this helps you out!

[@TheConfederate1863]

Do you give alive insects ? Also on a small colony?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello again. No, at this moment I do not do "live insect feeding". The insects I feed my ants are always pre-killed and boiled. This ensures no ants are injured during feeding and no bacteria (or other harmfull microorganisms) are transfered to the ants through food. For a small colony I do a couple of drops honeywater + a very small piece a mealworm larva OR dead fruit flies. You may also find this video helpful😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTRnY2Ngs96bbs&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@TheConfederate1863]

@@AntsVienna you are the best (i also subbed btw) thank you for the advice

[@AntsVienna]

You are welcome. Always glad when I can help peolple out. Thank you for the sub 👍

[@GrumpyGenXGramps]

In Florida I’ve kept Fire Ants. Viscous little critters!

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, those ones are quite "pesky"

[@mrkingkale9559]

If you disturb a queen ant to much does she not lay any eggs at all or does it take her a few days to settle In to lay eggs?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Like I said in the video: Disturbing a queen ant too often can lead to her eat her eggs or even not lay eggs at all and die... Make sure to give her some privacy early on - as there is nothing you can do than watch ( in the first 4-8 weeks, until workers are born)

[@mrkingkale9559]

@@AntsVienna alright thanks

[@Hussain7392]

I've captured a queen and three males (all with wings) and few workers from one colony. Is this goin' to work? I mean if the queen didn' mate previously, can they mate in capture?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. It depends on the specific ant species... Most ant species do not mate by inzest... Meaning that queens will only mate with makes from OTHER colonies. I suggest looking online for more information about the species OR ask on our AV Discord: discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@seangere9698]

You forgot to mention the difference between starting a new colony of ant queens that forage and ones that don't in the founding stages. As in do NOT feed queens that do not forage when founding the colony, it will just rot and cause mold problems. During this stage, all you need to do is make sure there is plenty of fresh water, a side note on water, and do NOT use tap water. Use RO water.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there, thanks for the input! 👍 True, I didn't go into the differences of claustral, semi-claustral, parasitic or gamergate type queens, because that would exceed the purpose of this video and make it more than twica as long 😅😂

[@seangere9698]

@@AntsVienna There's nothing wrong with a longer video IMHO but that's me. Well at least now you have an idea on a video if you haven't done one about the difference between the 4 difference types of queens. Hello from NRW Germany.

[@michaelzazzaro7525]

Your discord link says expired when I click on it to join can you send a fresh link here please

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there: Try this one out😉 discord.gg/PBw6BvU

[@babyphat255]

thanks :)))

[@AntsVienna]

You're welcome! Feel free to check my ant keeper (beginner) tutorials here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5mTYYGkr8p3n7M

[@babyphat255]

@@AntsVienna thanks Mr AnrsVienna u are the best XD

[@baronahata7398]

Well done, stay connected)

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Will do my best👍

[@hellmax9928]

What about queen new mix colony old/wild? (messor structure)

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Not sure I understand what you mean... Can you elaborate on your question?😅

[@hellmax9928]

@@AntsVienna Like queen when died that will be new queen for colony without queen

[@AntsVienna]

Colony merging probability is not high enough im afraid

[@jayviertan8476]

Good vid. Helpful but in Asia where I live, there is no winter so no need for hibernation🤣

[@AntsVienna]

Thanks! Yes, of course the winter hibernation depends on where you live, so you are lucky to have your ants all year long in Asia😉👍

[@jaimeraniwatychiah9055]

Where can a colony ants be found?

[@AntsVienna]

If you intend to start ant keeping the best way is to search for a Queen ant during nuptial flight season. Depending on where you live NOW might be a good time to get out and look for Queens - here is how i look for Queen ants, along with other useful beginner videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYrEZ2aHnZaoqdk&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@FizzleFX]

My messor love crickets. Tiny ones any worker can carry. Later i feed bigger ones

[@AntsVienna]

Cool! You do pre-kill the crickets, right?

[@frog2182]

Can i feed ants oranges and mandarin as carbs?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. No, ants probably won't eat those. Here is a Video on what to feed ants😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTRnY2Ngs96bbs

[@heruhcanedean]

I have a Camponotus modoc (I think) queen. When do I know when to move her? I caught her last month, their usual flight is early May, but I caught her about May 20th. This isn't my first try. My best attempt was with the same species but the queen ate her eggs and stopped laying after trying to move her. She had 7 eggs in her first batch and 5 hatched, 1 died after 3 days tops. After the second hatch there was about 15, and eggs in 3 stages. At that point I connected the test tube to a Tar Heel hearth with the top and bottom layout... The queen went to the top, picked out a corner and ate the eggs that the ants brought to her. I don't want that to happen again.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Dean. Just place your queen in a test tube setup and leave her in the dark until her first WORKERS are born. This could take from 5-10 weeks depending on temperature and how comfortable your queen feels (no checking on her during that time!). Only attempt connecting a formicarium after your queen has at least 5 workers (10 would be better). Hope this helps you out!

[@heruhcanedean]

@@AntsVienna That's what I tried with my best attempt. Her second hatch had her up to about 15 workers, I connected it to a bigger set-up but she ate all her eggs and stopped laying. I left it in the dark, just connected to something bigger. This current queen I have had 8 eggs last time I checked on her about 10 days ago, I was making sure she was alive and actually fertile. I put her in a test tube with a small amount of honey water and cooked egg yolk on foil, removing after 36 hours. First contact feeding and 10 days ago are the 2 times I've messed with her.

[@heruhcanedean]

I went for an overnight at the lake and caught 4 more queens, 1 escaped in my backpack tho. 3 more queens of the same kind, should I give them honey water before sealing them in a test tube set-up? I'm using 20mmx150mm tubes for them in case I should use something better?

[@AntsVienna]

Test tubes you use are fine. Just put the queens in there (one queen per tube) and leave them alone in the dark for 8 weeks (no checking, nothing). That's the hardest part - getting your colony started... Especially Camponotus Queens stress out a lot and eat their eggs multiple times if not let alone to do their thing.

[@heruhcanedean]

@@AntsVienna I got my first worker from that first queen I caught! I checked on them last night, last check was 2 weeks ago, and about a month and a half ago to pull out dead ones. By check I mean expose them to light and look at the tubes for about 10-15 seconds, no touching. 1 tube still had a queen that is alive but never laid eggs, 1 tube still had no hatches but had eggs, and 1 had a small worker and some more eggs. The other 6 queens I caught died. One had weird little red wormy things in the test tube, I assume it was a parasite, any idea what it could have been?

[@c1ck3n20]

5:38 what species is this

[@AntsVienna]

Camponotus Nicobarensis - a fast growing Camponotus species originating from Asia, that does not need hibernation

[@pealees5353]

How do you know wen it is time to look at them

[@AntsVienna]

Hey there. When I catch a new queen ant I put her in a test tube, then after 2 days I give a small drop of honeywater and after that I check on her again after 4 weeks. For most small to medium ant species this is when they will have developed their first workers. Camponotus need longer of course

[@q_7445]

So if I buy a queen with workers should I still keep them out of sunlight?

[@AntsVienna]

Yes, of course! Unless the colony has more than 50+ workers it is still a good idea to keep them dark, so they are more comfortable and the Queens lays eggs quicker

[@q_7445]

@@AntsVienna also, I have a tiny colony of Acorn Ants. I bought them yesterday. How do I move them? Do I just move the Acorn into a new test tube? The test tube I have is a bit smaller and doesn't fit the Acorn well, though. I need to move them because their water has become dirty and they have mold on their cotton water. Would I be able to move them into an acrylic ant farm instead? I think they have around 5-7 workers.

[@AntsVienna]

I would provide them an outworld and let the ants decide when and if they want to move. Moving them forcibly is never good for the ants.

[@littlejohnny7980]

Do you have a shop

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Not yet, but it is planned :)

[@Marcus-mm2yc]

I don’t understand how to moisturise my nest somone please explain people keep saying keep half wet and half dry but my nest is like a tunnel with a outisde part

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Marcus! I highly recommend you join us on Discord here: discord.gg/PBw6BvU Many experienced ant keepers (myself included) are available in chat there and can help you out 🙂🐜

[@Chaostastic]

i put my queen ants in a little cabinet thing and its super dark and quiet

[@AntsVienna]

Nice, only check her once a week and she'll grow workers in no time! Depending on the species first workers come in 4-12 weeks. Smaller species are faster growing and bigger are slower

[@William-arriola_]

I just threw a queen I found in a diggaboe ant farm and she liked it, already hatched workers.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Of course she did like it - nothing better for her than a digable environment with no dangers (predators) lurking around

[@wiltonperezfjeld8270]

I forgot one ant colony to hibernate and they all died:(

[@AntsVienna]

Sorry to hear that! But don't give up!🙂

[@StarLex.A.star.]

Sad ! Hope that doesn’t happens again ! Good luck takecaring your very own ants

[@Nella_studios]

:(

[@wujaye3491]

What about solenopsis

[@AntsVienna]

I hope to find some great Queen ants this year! :)

[@Markdaryl2011]

oh btw i caught a yellow queen i saw males and the queen alate their kinda making their antenna very fast detecting i think and the male tried to go top of abdomen of my alate but the alate is hated that

[@AntsVienna]

Cool - you don't get to see that very often👍🐜

[@chrisrusso4512]

Do many ant keepers simply call a colony “an ant?” They’re pretty much a single organism.

[@AntsVienna]

haha! Yes, ants are indeed a highly sozialized and organised species

[@marknashblue250]

When i catch one i can't live it in i don't now when is correct queen ant because i.m 8 years old😢

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there! Here are some videos that will help you prepare for ant keeping - including how to tell apart if an ant is a Queen😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJSVgoeViLmhgZo

[@belgarat101]

Nr. 1 mistake is choosing the wrong species as a beginner. The following were my criteria getting started. Choose a native Species, so you can release it if you want out. Choose a relativly big Species. They are not as good at escaping and the Colony's slower growth let you manage the population. Choose a species that has low avg. colony size (500 to 5000 individuals), so the setup wont outgrow your available space.

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Moe. These are good suggestions for going safe. In my experience however I've seen that most beginners get bored if the ants they choose don't grow fast enough and are not aggressive enough (active on the surface) so you as a keeper have something to watch. I plan on making a video that helps you guys choose that right ant species for you AND the best starter ant species - stay tuned! 😉

[@vickydomingo1240]

I take care 3ant colony 5years Ago since there going bigger the population I release them at my backyard in 2020 my Weaver ant colony and black crazy ant and carpenter ant

[@AntsVienna]

Sounds nice! How many workers did your colonies have in 5years?

[@anshpratapsinghg9376]

I am like this video

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Glad you enjoy my video. If you need more help with ant keeping feel free to check out these antz keeper tutorials: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5mTYYGkr8p3n7M&ab_channel=AntsVienna

[@majaberry9815]

Intro giving me antscanada vibes

[@AntsVienna]

Personally I think this one was my best one to date and far superior to any of his. But I take your comment as compliment anyway😃

[@pctech1042]

England us where i live, but my countey poland has way more species! Im going there on holiday to cath some queens

[@AntsVienna]

Cool! Nuptials should start in May there 😉

[@mrantmr6782]

My ants came out of hibernation few weeks ago and eating Well! Yes, some workers died during winter, but their brood is already growing even without insect food!

[@AntsVienna]

That's good news! Make sure to take proper care of your colony. The Ants who died may have been nanitics (the first workers a Queen produces) and these don't live long.

[@mrantmr6782]

Yes, im just waiting that I get a change to buy some mealworms. (propably next week) So I think they will be doing fine.

[@carollewis5072]

Bought a Queen about a year ago she had 4 or 5 babies they grew lovely but then they grew as they should have but then died one by one , the Queen would not move to her new home so left and done everything that I should have , then when the last ant died , don’t know why cos looked after them by the book the Queen moved to her new home , now she on her own , what can I do I fed her meal worms , sugars water honey water , etc seeds and she bit plenty of water , can you help will she get more babies , looking after anyway , very proud of her anyway , but she looks so lonely anything I can do now to he,p the situation please

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. I suggest giving your Queen a small mealworm part and some honeywater and afterwards placing her somewhere dark, without checking for at least 2 weeks. My guess is that your ants were too stressed, because you were cheking on them too often.

[@withergamin8005]

Weird my i check my queen every hour and she lays atleast 2 eggs a day

[@AntsVienna]

Not all Queens react with stress to light/vibrations - but 80% of them do. Seems you got yourself a cool Queen😎

[@withergamin8005]

She died well she didnt but i mom though she was a bug then killed her

[@michaelmills3121]

I can't remember if it was a video from you or somebody else but it showed somebody squirting a hole with lemon juice and then they said that it was an easy way of finding a queen if you ever wanted one is that even a safe way to go about this what would be the easiest way for me to capture a clean you have to excuse me I haven't finished watching all your videos

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Michael! It is not under my videos - but I have seen this lemon method online, never tried it out though. Personally I always take many walks and search for freshly mated Queens - like in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYrEZ2aHnZaoqdk

[@michaelmills3121]

@@AntsVienna where would I go to find out about nuptial season here in Michigan

[@michaelmills3121]

@@AntsVienna my preferred reference would have to be carpenter ants to start out with

[@AntsVienna]

Camponotus are fine, but beginners usually find them to boring, especially the very big ones... My Ligniperda colony is still at 2 workers after 2 years.

[@AntsVienna]

The Nuptial flight Schedule in this video should be pretty accurate for the US too, since climate is similar kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2bCin2EmdRnqLs

[@celticunionmapping2176]

Hi I'm new!

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Christina! In that case welcome to the ant world, feel yourself at home. You can check the channel's playlist section, if you are interested in a specific video type - like Ant Farm Build Tutorials (DIY) for example.😃

[@Voldycssm19]

4:50 you see it.

[@AntsVienna]

Not sure what you mean... Colony did great in that ant farm. Or do you mean the L.Niger afterwards? That acrylic nest had a divider that is hard to see at that angle

[@crazyhuman7541]

HELLLLLLP i was wondering if you can intergrate a queen ant into a farm that dosnt have a queen

[@AntsVienna]

Hello there. Yes, you can. HOWEVER the Queen needs to be exact the same species and even then there is an 80% probability that the host worker ants will kill her. So I would advise against it. What is the reason for wanting to put the Queen in a host colony in first place? Did the workers have a Queen that died?

[@kevinjudd1134]

What do I do when my ants grow wings?

[@AntsVienna]

Hello Kevin. Ants do not suddenly grow wings - what happens is that they produce allates when a colony grows very large. But that isn't until they reach a few thousand individuals usually. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5mTYYGkr8p3n7M