4 replies to this topic

[Ender Ants]

July 20, 2024: A New Catch

Caught my first Formica queen finally. She's been in the dark for about a month I believe, with 5 cocoons and 2 eggs now.

 

 

 

July 30, 2024: Say Ants! [2 workers]

First nanitics have arrived alongside a new batch of eggs. The queen decided to have her first drink of honey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 19, 2024: More Hatchlings [4 workers]

The cocoons just keep on coming.

 

 

 

 

September 6, 2024: A Feast For More [13 workers]

Gave them their first cricket to feast on for the next couple weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

October 14, 2024: New Lands [23 workers]

Such fast growing ants with so much more brood still on the way. Moved them into a tubs and tubes setup so they have more access to water and food. They don't eat seeds right? I've just been throwing every kind of food at them lol. Let's see how many they end off with by December.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts: 

I always wanted to keep Formica for their finicky-type of movements and activity. Unlike any other ant species I've kept because of the way they move. Loving them and can't wait to see their growth when Spring rolls around again. Would appreciate any kind of tips or favorite foods these ants like! Just seen them eating crickets, fish food, and honey.

 

[ANTdrew]

I would consider cutting a cardboard roll in half to cover their tube and making a tighter opening for their tube. Formica are very timid and jumpy ants, so anything you can do to make them feel more secure should help them.

[Ender Ants]

I would consider cutting a cardboard roll in half to cover their tube and making a tighter opening for their tube. Formica are very timid and jumpy ants, so anything you can do to make them feel more secure should help them.

 

Yup I've noticed that. I've been using a business card on their lid, but I'll do that instead so they can be purely in the dark while they sit on my shelf.

[Ender Ants]

August 2, 2025: Nest Upgrade [150-200 workers]

The colony has a grown a lot since the last update and have been moved into a Fallen Fortress formicarium. They like to place their cocoons near the heating cable, and have filled about half of the nest. One of the chambers is being used as a dumpster area, but they have been slowly clearing it out as more workers hatch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 8, 2025:

The colony has been put into diapause at around 48F placed inside a bin, in a wine fridge. I've been keeping a close eye on them the past month since then and they're more active than I thought they would be at this temp. Just re-filling their watering tank every week and taking them out around March.

 

 

Latest Video Update: 2025 Ant Room Tour: Formica perpilosa (13:50)

Edited by Ender Ants, January 3 2026 - 7:07 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Good progress! See you next year!