Western Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis)
Price range: $49.99 through $59.99
The Western Harvester Ant is a great beginner species that is a beautiful reddish-brown color. STATES AVAILABLE TO BUY: All continental except FL
Product Description
Every colony comes with a Queen, brood, and biological workers.
Difficulty Level
Beginner-friendly. Tolerant of small care mistakes and well suited to first-time ant keepers.
Temperament
Generally calm and focused on foraging. While they are capable of stinging, they rarely show aggression under normal conditions. They are also poor climbers, which helps prevent escapes.
Feeding
This species thrives on a primarily seed-based diet, such as:
- Bluegrass seeds
- Dandelion seeds
- Chia seeds
Once per week, provide a fresh treat and protein source—such as apple slices, crickets, mealworms, or fruit flies—to support balanced nutrition and healthy brood development.
Ant Farm (Habitat)
Start with a test tube or bamboo tube. Once the colony reaches 10–15 workers, you can move them into a small formicarium. Choose a low-humidity setup with a visible outworld for easy seed cleanup.
Unsuitable Ant Farms
- Gel-based ant farms
- Uncle Milton–style farms with sand squished between panes of plastic
- Farms that include a coupon to order worker ants through the mail (not intended for queens)
- Any setup not designed for long-term housing or for a queen with brood
Temperature
These ants require heat to grow. Maintain a nest temperature between 85–92°F using a heating cable to create a gentle gradient. They’ll place brood in the warmest spot—ensure the setup provides some temperature variation.
Humidity
Keep humidity on the lower side. These ants often bring seeds into their nest chambers—high humidity can lead to mold. Avoid overwatering. Follow your ant farm’s instructions and maintain a regular schedule to prevent dry-outs or flooding.
Preventing Escapes
These ants are poor climbers but can still reach the rim in some enclosures, and they do sting. Apply a single layer of fluon around the outworld rim when preparing the habitat. One application typically lasts for the life of the colony.
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand by the health of every colony we ship. All ants are covered under our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Optional Queen Insurance
Choose your coverage period. If your queen dies of natural causes within the coverage window and care guidelines were followed, we’ll send a free replacement colony — you just cover shipping.
- Excludes neglect, injury, or extreme temperatures
- Shipping cost not included
- See the fine print here