Lasius niger

Lasius niger is a very hardy species of ants that require very little experience to keep. It is for that reason that they are often praised as the perfect species for new antkeepers. They grow quickly, are pretty stress resistant and are very interesting to observe. When threatened they have no problem with defending their nest and will do so by overpowering their foes by sheer numbers.

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 9mm
Workers: aprox. 3mm – 4,5mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: monogyne
Colony size: 30,000 – 40,000 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: very easy

Habitat
Distribution: Most of Europe, some parts of Asia, north America and North Africa
Habitat: often found in places with a lot of sun like rural area’s and parts of cities with lots of exposure to the sun
Natural nest: they often build their nests underground and under stone
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster-, 3D- and acrylicnests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 50% – 60%
Recommended temperature: 20°C – 24°C
Nutrition: a sugar source such as honey or sugarwater and a protein source such as prey insects like crickets or fruitflies. Insect jelly is also a suitable feeder since it contains both sugar and protein and varius other beneficial components

Misc
Hibernation: yes – from the end of october until the end of march
Claustral: yes, no need to feed until the first workers arrive
Matingflight period: on warm, humid days around end of may – july depending on where you live
Egg to worker: 6 to 8 weeks depending on how they are being kept