Description
This kit does not include ants. It’s the housing and supplies for a Pogonomyrmex harvester ant colony, built to last about a year. Pick up your colony separately (links below), and you’re ready to go.
Who it’s for
Anyone starting a Western Harvester Ant (often called “pogos”) colony who wants one box with the home, the heat, the food and the tools, so there’s nothing to hunt down later. The seeds are measured for a starting colony of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Western harvester ants) with 5 workers.
This kit is made for Pogonomyrmex only. Other harvester ants, like Messor and Veromessor, have different care and growth, so they need different setups.
Pair it with a colony
Order your ants separately. These Pogonomyrmex colonies work with this kit:
- Western Harvester Ants (P. occidentalis)
- Maricopa Harvester Ants (P. maricopa)
- Red Harvester Ants (P. barbatus)
- Rough Harvester Ants (P. rugosus)
- Bicolor Harvester Ants (P. bicolor)
- California Harvester Ants (P. californicus)
How the kit grows with your colony
An outworld is the ants’ feeding and exploring area, attached to their nest. They leave the nest to find food and water there, then head back inside.
Stage 1: Test tube and Mini Roundhouse (the first months)
Your colony starts in a test tube setup (made with the blue sponges) attached to the Mini Roundhouse, a small round outworld. The Mini Roundhouse sits on a 3D printed base with a slot for the heat cable. Use the 1ml liquid feeder here.
Stage 2: Ant Den (about 15-30 workers)
Once your colony has at least 15 workers, move them into the Ant Den, a nest and outworld in one. Start using the larger 5ml liquid feeder. Ant Den instruction manual (PDF)
Stage 3: Something bigger (about 8 to 12 months)
After 8 to 12 months, the colony may be ready for more room. AntQuarters is a good next step.
What’s in the box
- Housing: Mini Roundhouse outworld with 3D printed heat cable base · Ant Den (nest + outworld) · blue sponges for the test tube setup
- Test tubes: 3 extra test tubes for when the water runs out in the first one · test tube privacy screen
- Feeding: 1ml liquid feeder (Mini Roundhouse) · 5ml liquid feeder (Ant Den) · feeding bowls · seed mix · a small amount of ant nectar
- Heat: Zoo Med heating cable
- Tools: entomology forceps for handling ants · tweezers for feeding insects · blunt-tipped syringe for adding water to the Ant Den
What’s not in the box
- Ants. Order your colony separately (see above).
- Exam gloves. You’ll want these for changing the liquid feeders (see the safety section).
- Insects. The tweezers are for feeding insects you buy yourself, if you choose to offer them.
Setting up the test tube
Watch our short video to see how it’s done. It shows the setup made with cotton and with the blue sponges from this kit.
For more on test tubes, see our guide: How to Set Up Your First Ant Test Tube.
Feeding
Pogonomyrmex live mostly on seeds, and the kit includes enough to feed a starting colony of 5 P. occidentalis workers for about 6 months. You can offer insects now and then, but keep them under about 30% of the diet. Use the tweezers for feeding insects.
The ant nectar is an occasional treat. Pogonomyrmex don’t need it to stay healthy, but they can enjoy it once in a while.
Care steps
Moving to a fresh test tube
When the water runs out in the first test tube, set up a new one from the kit. Remove the exit plug from the end of the Mini Roundhouse, then plug the new test tube into that port.
Adding water to the Ant Den
Use the blunt-tipped syringe to add water to the Ant Den. Start with a small amount and top up as needed.
Using the heating cable
In the first stage, slide the Zoo Med heating cable into the slot on the Mini Roundhouse base. Once your colony moves into the Ant Den, place the cable over the Ant Den nest, close to the vinyl tube the ants crawl through to get from the outworld to the nest.
Safety: harvester ants sting
Pogonomyrmex can sting, and the sting is painful. Do not handle them directly. Use the forceps from the kit if you need to move an ant.
Wear exam gloves (latex, or nitrile if you have a latex allergy) any time you change a liquid feeder. Gloves add a layer of protection while your hands are close to the ants. Gloves are not included.
Downloads
FAQ
Does this kit come with ants?
No. This is housing and supplies only. Order your colony separately from the links above.
Does this work for other harvester ants, like Messor?
No. This kit is made for Pogonomyrmex. Other harvester ants have different care and growth.
How long does the kit last?
It’s designed to last up to about a year: the first months in the test tube and Mini Roundhouse, then the Ant Den. After 8 to 12 months your colony may be ready for a larger nest like the AntQuarters.
When do I move the ants into the Ant Den?
When the colony has about 15 workers.
How much seed is included?
Enough for a starting colony of P. occidentalis with 5 workers for about 6 months. A larger colony will use it faster.
Do Pogonomyrmex need the ant nectar?
No. It’s an occasional treat they can enjoy, not a requirement.
Can the ants sting me?
Yes. Don’t handle them directly, and wear exam gloves when changing the liquid feeders. See the safety section above.
Where does the heating cable go?
At first, in the slot on the Mini Roundhouse base. After the move to the Ant Den, over the nest, close to the vinyl tube the ants use to travel from the outworld to the nest.
What are the 3 extra test tubes for?
They’re replacements for when the water runs out in the first test tube. Remove the exit plug from the Mini Roundhouse and plug the new tube into the port.
What else do I need to buy?
Your ants, and exam gloves for changing the liquid feeders. Insects are optional.
Miranda Jefferson (verified owner) –
Great value for a starter setup for small colonies! Love the included syringe and how easy it is to hydrate the nest. I dumped my ants into the outworld and they moved into the nest in a couple of hours, they seem cozy!
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