AntHouse - Natural Sand Ant Farm | Kit L (Sandwich + Forage Box)

Very nice, perfect size , comes with ant. Easy to set up. Very happy

We bought the ant farm for our lad for Christmas. The courier left the package hidden outside without leaving an out card. When the package did not turn up, I went on a quick hunt to find it soaking wet in the freezing cold. Thankfully the ants were fine, Phew. The Ants were slow to set up shop in the sand until I read poking a hole in the sand, in the sandwich wall access, with a pencil will help. This did start them off, they have now started making tunnels in the sand. The ants didn’t leave the tube they came in for a few weeks, Googling also says this is normal and can take a few days to a few months. We have now bought a book on what to expect. The whole process has been a good experience for him to learn that these are wild creatures that live by their own rules. They are not going to dig out tunnels like those in the picture in a couple of days. They might, they might never. Furthermore, they are also not going to put on a show with a song and dance routine. The main problem now is that they have dragged what seems like a lot of sand out into the main area and have set up the nest in that sand. We have not seen much of them in the last few weeks. However, the blue sugar is going down, and we did get a glimpse of one carrying a baby ant. I can only think that covering up the glass sandwich with a filter to keep out some light might help. The build quality of the ant farm is good. I was worried that it might be too small, however, it is just the right size, so it does not take up too much space in his room. It is big enough for it to be stable and to feel that those ants are not all cramped. The lid on the top of the does seem loose and would have benefitted from a click to show that it had locked in place. However, it is heavy enough to know that the ants are not going to get out. I can see him enjoying this for quite a while, and I would buy it again.

Everything arrived perfectly - All ants alive they got to work straight away. This is from the EU and there are some vital missing advice and parts that are crucial for the colony to survive beyond a short period. TIP: Once filled open the tube make a hole in the nest entrance with the end of a pencil ensure it damp in the hole if not add water with the dropper so the ants are attracted to it and they will get to work. Don’t over saturate the nest box just wet it through else you will get fungus and risk collapse of tunnels. IMPORTANT TiPS: ants don’t like light - get some red acetate film to block out the light from the nest or the queen will not lay and the colony “will die” this is available from there main website as a panel but strangely not offered or Included yet vital. I got regular red acetate sheets from Amazon. While waiting for the acetate cover the nest with a cloth to complete darkness so the colony can settle or the queen will get stressed. FOOD: You will need to provide protein - you will be sent messer barbaris species and they will need protein for egg production and carbs for energy again the nest will collapse without this the blue liquid is not enough again no advice provided I had to ask what species they sent through the chat on main website. In order for a balanced diet get some millet seed and some dried mealworms (this is the safest to avoid mites and fungus) put some in a tub and freeze them for a few days, this will ensure that any mites or fungus is eliminated. initially crush the millet and feed a little at a time and a little of the meal worm again crushed. They will only consume meal worm when they get settled and the queen starts laying. don't overfeed. Messer barbaris species build granaries and make ant bread to store but they require bigger ants which come later in the colony to crack seeds so ensure you crush. If you feed systematically you will notice the ebb and flow of food collection.

The enclosure is a great size and all the ants arrived safe and well. It was very easy to set up. I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants to keep ants.

Saw so many people buying ant farms I just had to get one, arrived earlier than expected and was well wrapped. Company really cares about the ants and instructions are very good. Hours of entertainment and very educational,

Really good ant house. Came very well packaged and quick delivery from Spain to uk. Set up was very easy and ants are doing very well and building quickly

Our queen ant died 4 weeks after delivery. Colony has been living without her for a few days. We then noticed they were escaping through the lid of the enclosure. On closer inspection, the lid doesn’t sit tight to the opening. Intruder ants have also managed to get in and swarm our small colony.

Packaging was brilliant. They didn't skimp on bubble wrap. It was nice and secure arrived in pristine condition. The test tube of ants had slide out of the protective sleeve at some point during the journey but the ants seemed healthy despite this and they cracked on with building the nest as soon as they were released into the outworld. The product is nice and secure the instructions were quite easy to follow once I found the English part. Nice lil first farm as an adult. I'm sure I'll be ordering more bits and accessories in the future.