Antformation

Did you know ants...

  • Live up to 6 months
  • Have been on earth for over 100 million years
  • Don't breathe with lungs
  • Can lift up to 50x their body weight
  • Are one of the longest living of all insects
  • Have the largest brain proportionate to size
  • Communicate by using their antennae and chemical trails
  • Have colonies with over 1 million ants
  • Are cousins of the wasp
  • Love their Antimal House!!

Getting Started

  1. Before introducing your ants to the gel, create two more holes near the center using the provided spoon straw tool. First gently plunge the round end of the spoon-straw tool into the gel approximately 1/4"=1/2" deep. Then using the spoon portion scoop out the small plug. These holes will encourage the ants to begin tunneling in those locations.
  1. Place your ants into the container, being careful to avoid the introduction of any dead ants and foreign material. Around 25 Harvester ants are recommended because of their size and tunneling abilities. You can supply your own ants or use the enclosed coupon. (There is a $4.95 charge that includes shipping, handling, and insurance.) Other varieties of ants may also work though the optimal quantity may differ according to size and tunneling speed. If the ants have been shipped by mail their first actions will be to start drinking moisture from the gel. They've been on a long trip and are very thirsty! After a short time they will begin investigating their new home and most often will start excavating within a few hours. Some may take a day or two to get started but once they begin you'll be amazed at how quickly they create intricate and unique system of tunnels. After placing ants in the container, be sure to replace lid immediately and check that it is seated firmly. This will ensure the ants will stay safely within the enclosure as well as preventing the gel from drying out prematurely.


Tip: While the ants are still in the mailing container, place them in a refrigerator for 5 minutes prior to inserting them in the gel container. This will slow them down without harming them, giving you time to remove any dead ants and debris. After a few minutes at room temperature they will again become active.

Maintenance


The gel provides the ants not only with a place to live and work but it is also their food and water! The only required maintenance is the removal of dead ants on the surface, as mold will sometimes grow on them - potentially spreading to the remaining ants and the gel. The other ants will frequently assist you in this by bringing the dead ants to the surface for convenient removal. Should an expired ant be left in the tunnel it is usually safe to allow it to remain. The gel itself has ingredients that inhibit the growth of mold from originating within the tunnels. Should mold begin to grow it can be removed by digging it out with the provided spoon-straw tool.

Tip: When the last of your ants have expired, you can take advantage of the temporary vacancy by tidying up the place - removing any dead ants and excavated gel as well as wiping down the interior sides of the container using a clean dry paper towel (no cleaners). You can then introduce a new population of ants. These ants will soon get to work cleaning up the tunnels, removing debris and bringing any remains of the previous tenants to the surface.

Getting Ants


You can order your Beerants habitat with or without ants included by clicking here.
You can also order ants separately by clicking here.