Messor barbarus ants. Starter Kit for the formicarium

We guarantee the delivery of live ants. Please record a video of the unpacking process, and if it turns out that the queen has not survived the transport, we will refund your money or resend the order.
Each order is carefully packaged, and during colder months, we only use shipping methods that eliminate the risk of dangerous temperatures. This ensures that our deliveries are always successful.

The Starter Kit for the formicarium includes:

• Messor barbarus ants (queen + 20-30 workers)
• Seed set. A carefully selected mix of eight types of seeds
• Water dispenser
• Feeding dish
• Tweezers
• Quartz sand for arena decoration. Specially cleaned sand for the formicarium
• Pipette
• Instructions 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long can ants stay in a test tube, and when should they be moved?

Ants can comfortably live in a test tube for about a month, and often even longer. It depends mainly on how many seeds and how much water are available inside. As long as resources are sufficient, there’s no rush to move them into a formicarium.

What kind of formicarium is best for Messor barbarus?

The key feature of a proper setup for Messor barbarus is exposed plaster, which the ants can directly touch. Plaster helps regulate humidity, provides the perfect spot for the queen to lay eggs, and is where the ants soak seeds for feeding. Larvae usually develop directly on the plaster due to its ideal microclimate. A formicarium without exposed plaster often leads to stagnation or even the collapse of the colony. Other features are secondary in comparison.

Do Messor barbarus ants need additional heating?

In general, no — regular room temperature is usually enough. However, it’s important to avoid drafts and direct sunlight. It’s a good idea to cover the nest with a dark cloth to create a calm, stable environment.
If you’d like to speed up colony development, you can gently warm one side of the arena using a heating mat. This gives the ants the option to move the brood closer to the heat or away from it, depending on their needs.