5 Top Tips for Starting Your Own Ant Farm

If you have a narrow opening in the top of your observatory you will probably want to roll a piece of paper into a funnel shape that you can pour the ants through down into the observatory.

Ants are cold blooded so they slow down when they get cold. Place the ants in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to slow them down before you dump them into the observatory. This will make it easier and safer to get the ants into their new home.

To give better care to your ants give them a few drops of water every day. Don't make their sand so wet that water pools up on top and they drown in it, but do give them a few drops every day.

To give your ants an extra boost of energy and a real treat they will love, mix a pinch of sugar in a teaspoon of water and give it to the ants once a week.

The best foods for ants are small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Celery, Apple, Lettuce, work real well because they are not real "mushy" and sticky.

Don't overfeed the ants. They only need 2 or 3 small pieces every two days. After two days if the food has not been completely eaten remove it. This will keep mold from growing in the habitat that could harm your ants.

Another good thing to feed ants is sugar water as in Tip #2.

Temperature is a big factor in how long your ants live.

Ants will live longer in a cool room at temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees.

Don't keep the ants in a place where they are hit by direct sunlight as this will cause the temperature inside the ant habitat to rise.

Remember ants are living creatures and must be looked after just like any other animal such as a cat or dog!

To construct your ant colony, fill a jar or aquarium with dirt. Use sand for darker-colored ants or peat for lighter-colored ants to make them more visible. Slightly dampen the soil so that it won't collapse on your ant tunnels.

You can find ants in your backyard or purchase them. If you are trying to find your own ant colony, you may have difficulty locating the queen. Ant queens rarely leave their tunnels, except during summer when they make a nuptial flight. If you purchase ants, they may come with a queen.

Before putting the ants in the jar, refrigerate them for five minutes. Because ants are cold-blooded, this slows their metabolism and keeps them from hurting one another when they are put in the jar.