Antkeeping · Slovakia
Ant nests
A map of ant nests in Slovakia and all about the black garden ant, Lasius niger.
- worker
- 3–5 mm
- queen
- 9 mm
- years a queen lives
- 10+
- in the formicarium
- 20–28 °C
Map of ant nests
It is not a complete database of ant nests around the world, but it covers some parts of Slovakia.
Lasius niger: the black garden ant
Lasius niger, also known as the black garden ant, is one of the most common ant species in Europe, including Slovakia. Antkeepers like it for its easy care and interesting behaviour, which makes it an ideal choice for beginners and advanced keepers alike.
Identification
Lasius niger is fairly easy to recognise by its even dark brown-black to black colour. Adults are about 3-5 mm long. The queen, usually bigger than the workers, can reach up to 9 mm. The species has the typical ant body with a narrow “waist” between the thorax and the abdomen, called the petiole.
Keeping conditions
Lasius niger is easy to keep and adapts to many conditions. For successful keeping, make sure of the following:
Formicarium
Ideally a mix of sand and soil that lets the ants dig tunnels. The formicarium should be big enough to give the colony room to grow.
Humidity and temperature
Keep the formicarium between 20 and 28 °C with moderate humidity, like their natural environment. Humidity is key for the development of eggs and larvae.
Food
Lasius niger eats many kinds of food, including insects, honeydew and kitchen scraps. Give a balanced diet and top up the water regularly.
Behaviour and fun facts
Social behaviour
Lasius niger is a strongly social species with well-developed cooperation inside the colony. A fun fact is their symbiosis with aphids: the ants get honeydew from them in exchange for protection.
Nuptial flight
Lasius niger usually swarms in the warm summer months. At that time queens and males leave the home nest to found new colonies.
Lifespan
Queens can live more than 10 years, while workers live about 1-3 years.
For antkeepers
For beginners in antkeeping, Lasius niger is a great chance to learn the basics of keeping ants without special equipment or complicated techniques. For advanced keepers, watching and managing a large Lasius niger colony can give valuable insight into social behaviour and colony dynamics.
If you want to start keeping Lasius niger or grow your existing ant collection, start with a good source of queens that are healthy and ready to found a new colony. When you buy queens or starter kits, make sure they come from a reliable supplier who follows ethical practices in breeding and trading ants.
Conclusion
Lasius niger, the black garden ant, opens up a fascinating world of social behaviour and adaptability. Its easy care and its ability to adapt to many environments make it an ideal choice for antkeepers at every level of experience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced keeper, getting to know and keeping Lasius niger can bring hours of fun and learning about this amazing ant species.
Step into the world of antkeeping with Lasius niger and discover the beauty and complexity of the lives of these small but amazing creatures.