Why An Ant Farm? A Message For Parents

Summary

Mikey Bustos introduces ant keeping as a unique hobby for children, explaining the process of obtaining queen ants, setting up ant farms, and the responsibilities involved. He discusses costs, potential concerns, and the educational benefits of engaging with ants, encouraging parents to consider this hobby for their kids.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Mikey Bustos is the owner and founder of AntCanada.com, a website for ant keeping hobbyists.
• 🐜 The video aims to convince parents to allow their children to keep ants as pets, outlining the benefits and basics of ant keeping.
• 🏡 Ant farms have evolved from the traditional dirt farms to more modern designs like the 'Omni Nest'.
• 👑 To start an ant colony, you need a queen ant, which can be caught during a nuptial flight and reared in a test tube.
• 🍯 Ant colonies require a daily supply of sweet substances like honey water, hummingbird nectar, or sugar water, along with insects like crickets or mealworms.
• 💰 The cost of setting up an ant farm can range from $20 to $100 USD for DIY setups, or from $70 to $200 CAD for premium ant farms from AntCanada.com.
• 🌡 Ants need a heating source in air-conditioned homes, and an 'out world' for them to forage, which can be a covered aquarium or container.
• 🔍 When buying ant keeping materials, it's important to do research and consider reputable sources to avoid poor quality products.
• 🌳 Keeping ants can teach children responsibility, introduce them to biology and ecology, and foster a respect for nature and habitat preservation.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 It provides an opportunity for parents and children to bond over a shared hobby and learn together.
• 📚 AntCanada.com offers an e-book called 'The Ultimate Ant Keeping Handbook' and a playlist of ant keeping tutorials on their YouTube channel for further learning.

Q & A

Who is Mikey Bustos and what is his connection to ants?

Mikey Bustos is the owner and founder of AntCanada.com, a website for ant keeping hobbyists. He is also the creator of an ant-related YouTube channel and is based in Toronto, Canada.

What is the purpose of the video presented by Mikey Bustos?

The video aims to convince parents to allow their children to keep ants as pets, outlining the basics of ant keeping, the duties required, costs, concerns, and potential benefits.

What is a 'formicarium' and how does it differ from traditional ant farms?

A formicarium is a modern term for an ant farm. Unlike the classic upright dirt farms from the past, modern formicariums like the 'Omni Nest' shown in the video are more advanced and better suited for housing and observing ants.

How does one obtain ants for an ant farm?

To start an ant farm, you first need a queen ant. She is caught during a nuptial flight, usually in spring or summer, and is then housed in a test tube where she lays eggs. Once there are enough workers, the colony is moved into a formicarium.

What do ants typically eat and how often do they need to be fed?

Ants require a daily supply of sweet substances like honey water, hummingbird nectar, or sugar water, as well as insects such as crickets or mealworms. They also need water provided in a test tube.

How much space does an ant colony need and what is an 'out world'?

An ant colony typically needs just a portion of a tabletop or desk space. An 'out world' is an additional container or aquarium where ants can forage for food, which is connected to the main formicarium.

What are the costs associated with setting up and maintaining an ant colony?

The costs can range from $20 to $100 USD for DIY setups, or from 70 to 200 Canadian dollars for premium formicariums. Additional costs include shipping, ants (if purchased), heating sources, and occasional tools like magnifying glasses and tweezers. Food costs are minimal.

How can the size of an ant colony be controlled?

The size of an ant colony can be controlled by limiting its food intake. If you want the colony to stay at a certain size, feed them the same amount of food consistently. To encourage growth, provide more food and space.

What are some potential concerns or dangers associated with keeping ants?

Some ant species can sting, so supervision is advised for young children or those with allergies to bee stings. Additionally, the formicarium needs to be properly secured to prevent escapes, and the ants' environment must be cleaned regularly.

What are the benefits of ant keeping for children?

Ant keeping teaches responsibility, introduces children to biology and ecosystems, instills respect for ecology and habitat preservation, and can be a bonding activity for parents and children. It also stimulates learning and engagement.

Where can one find more information or resources on ant keeping?

More information can be found in the e-book 'The Ultimate Ant Keeping Handbook' available on AntCanada.com, and through a full playlist of ant keeping tutorials on their YouTube channel.

Outlines

00:00

🐜 Introduction to Ant Keeping as a Hobby

Mikey Bustos introduces himself as the owner of AntCanada.com and creator of an ant-keeping YouTube channel. He addresses the audience, which may include parents considering ant-keeping as a hobby for their children. The video aims to persuade parents to allow their kids to keep ants, outlining the basics, responsibilities, costs, and benefits of ant keeping. An 'Omni Nest' ant farm is showcased as a modern alternative to traditional ant farms. The process of obtaining ants, starting with a queen ant during her nuptial flight, is briefly explained, along with the initial care involving test tubes and eventual transition to a larger habitat. The video promises to cover the costs, space requirements, and potential future benefits of ant keeping for children.

05:02

📏 Costs and Maintenance of Ant Keeping

This paragraph delves into the costs associated with setting up an ant farm, including the price range for a DIY formicarium and purchasing a premium one from AntCanada. It discusses the costs of ants themselves, which can vary depending on the species and source. Additional expenses such as heating sources, magnifying glasses, and tweezers are mentioned as one-time costs. The paragraph also covers the minimal food expenses and the need for regular cleaning of the ant colony's environment. It emphasizes the importance of proper research when purchasing formicarium materials online and warns against homemade products that may not be reliable. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the educational and bonding benefits of ant keeping, as well as the practical aspects such as the ants' hibernation period and the ease of releasing them back into the wild if desired.

10:05

🌿 Benefits and Conclusion of Ant Keeping

The final paragraph highlights the advantages of ant keeping, such as teaching responsibility, introducing children to biology and ecology, and fostering a respect for nature. It mentions the potential for ant keeping to lead to a career in science, as it did for Mikey Bustos, and the opportunity for families to bond over a shared interest. The paragraph also touches on the economic benefits of selling ants as a hobby and the low maintenance requirements during the winter months. It concludes by promoting the Ultimate Ant Keeping Handbook and a series of ant-keeping tutorials on the AntCanada YouTube channel, encouraging parents to consider ant keeping as a unique, educational, and engaging activity for their children.

Keywords

💡Ant Keeping

Ant keeping, also known as formicarium keeping, is the hobby of maintaining an ant colony in a controlled environment. It is central to the video's theme, which aims to persuade parents to allow their children to engage in this hobby. The script provides a detailed introduction to ant keeping, including the setup of a formicarium and the care required for the ants.

💡Formicarium

A formicarium is a specialized habitat for ants, which can range from simple to complex structures. In the video, the term is used to describe the modern, cutting-edge ant farms that differ from the traditional dirt farms. The script mentions an 'omni nest' as an example of a sophisticated formicarium.

💡Queen Ant

The queen ant is the reproductive female in an ant colony, responsible for laying eggs and ensuring the colony's growth. The script emphasizes the importance of obtaining a queen ant to start an ant colony and describes how she is caught during a nuptial flight and then housed in a test tube to lay eggs and produce workers.

💡Colony

In the context of the video, a colony refers to a group of ants that includes a queen, workers, and potentially other castes. The script explains how a colony starts with a queen and grows as workers are born, and how it can be maintained and expanded within an ant keeping setup.

💡Nuptial Flight

Nuptial flight is the reproductive behavior of some ant species where the queen leaves the nest to mate in the air. The script mentions that queen ants are caught during this flight, which is a critical step in starting an ant colony for keeping.

💡Omni Nest

The Omni Nest is a specific type of formicarium mentioned in the script, described as a cutting-edge ant farm. It is designed to house many ants and represents an advanced setup for ant keeping enthusiasts.

💡Outworld

An outworld is a separate container or space connected to the main ant habitat, where ants can forage for food. The script explains that an outworld is essential for providing a natural environment for the ants to search for sustenance and can be designed with various deterrents to prevent escape.

💡Ant Care

Ant care involves the daily maintenance and attention required to keep an ant colony healthy. The script outlines the basics of ant care, including providing food such as insects and sweet substances, as well as water, and the need for regular cleaning of the formicarium and outworld.

💡Costs

The video discusses the financial aspect of ant keeping, including the costs of setting up a formicarium, purchasing ants, and maintaining the colony. The script provides a range of costs for different components, from DIY options to premium products, and mentions one-time expenses versus ongoing costs like food.

💡Educational Value

The script highlights the educational benefits of ant keeping, such as teaching responsibility, introducing children to biology and ecosystems, and fostering a respect for nature. It positions ant keeping as a valuable learning tool that can complement a child's education and interest in the natural world.

💡Ecology and Habitat Preservation

The video emphasizes the importance of understanding ecology and the need for habitat preservation through ant keeping. By caring for ants, children can develop an appreciation for the environment and the importance of preserving habitats, which is crucial for the future of our planet.

Highlights

Introduction to the owner and founder of AntCanada.com, Mikey Bustos, and his YouTube channel dedicated to ant keeping.

Purpose of the video: to help convince parents to allow their children to keep ants as pets.

Explanation of the modern ant farm, or 'formicarium', and its evolution from traditional dirt farms.

Description of the 'Omni Nest', a cutting-edge formicarium housing many ants.

How to obtain ants: capturing a queen ant during a nuptial flight and rearing her in a test tube.

The process of growing an ant colony from a queen and her workers to a larger formicarium.

Diet of an ant colony: sweet substances like honey water and insects like crickets or mealworms.

Space requirements for an ant colony: typically a small area on a desk or tabletop.

The concept of an 'out world' for ants to forage for food, and methods to prevent ants from escaping.

Cost of setting up an ant farm, including DIY options and premium materials from AntCanada.com.

Pricing for ant colonies, ranging from $15 to $200 USD, depending on the ant farmer's pricing.

Additional costs for heating sources, out worlds, and optional tools like magnifying glasses and tweezers.

The size of an ant colony and how it can be controlled by adjusting food intake.

Escape-proofing ant setups and the importance of proper setup to prevent escapes.

Potential risks of stinging ants and the need for supervision for young children or those with allergies.

Responsibility of cleaning the ant colony's world, including garbage disposal and graveyard sites.

Advice on purchasing formicariums, emphasizing the importance of research and reputable sources.

Benefits of ant keeping for children, including teaching responsibility, biology, and respect for ecology.

Ant keeping as a bonding activity for parents and children, and its educational value.

The availability of resources like the 'Ultimate Ant Keeping Handbook' and a playlist of ant keeping tutorials.

Transcripts

greetings from at seannal.com to

wherever in the world you may be first

please allow me to thank you for your

time to watch and listen to what we have

to show you in this video my name is

Mikey Bustos from Toronto Canada and I

am the owner and founder of and Canada

comm a website for and keeping hobbyists

and the creator of this ant YouTube

channel now you may have either stumbled

upon this video accidentally and might

like to consider having your child get

into a new and unique hobby or more

likely it's being shown to you by your

son or daughter because they would like

to gain permission to care for and keep

a pet and colony at home now I receive

email after email every day from kids

from ages 7 all the way up to their

teenage years asking me for help in

convincing their parents to let them

keep ants so this video will be a brief

breakdown on why you might like to

permit your child to keep ants at home

I will also outline the basics of and

keeping the duties required the costs

concerns to look out for as a parent and

where the end keeping hobby might lead

your child in the future so let's begin

this here is a forma karyam it's the

technical term for what the world knows

as an ant farm it might look a little

different from what you're used to

because yes it is a dirt list and farm

you see the classic upright dirt and

farms from the 50s are somewhat outdated

these days and over the decades that and

keeping has been a thing the technology

and knowledge in and keeping has truly

improved so much that what you see here

is what a cutting edge and farm looks

like in 2015 this former karyam is

called an omni nest and it houses many

many ants now how does one obtain ants

for therefore material well first you

require a queen ant the queen ant is the

large end that you see here she lays all

the eggs in the colony and keeps the ant

colony flourishing the colony will

continue to raise workers born from this

one queen and they each die within a few

months but the Queen lives for up to 30

years laying eggs and

creating new workers when she dies

nobody is left to create workers so the

colony fizzles out and dies worker by

worker not to obtain a queen she must be

caught during a nuptial flight and

chances are if your child is showing you

this video he or she already knows how

to catch a queen from watching our

various YouTube and tutorials on this

channel queen ants fly and mate during

the spring and summer months every year

and once caught they are housed in a

test tube where the Queen ends will lay

eggs and eventually have some workers

these workers then proceed to take care

of the Queen as she continues to grow

the colony bigger and bigger and lay

more and more eggs when the ant colony

is composed of several members the

colony is then moved into their form

aquarium to live and continue growing

the ant colony eats very little at first

but once they are a big working ant

colony they will require a daily supply

of sweet stuff usually honey water

hummingbird nectar or sugar water as

well as insects usually crickets or

mealworms they also will require water

provided to them in a test tube

now how much space does an ant colony

need usually just a portion of a

tabletop or a desk space this form

aquarium is an extra large and is the

size of a large laptop the form a

carry-on must also be connected to what

is called an out world which is

basically an aquarium or container where

the ants go to look for food this out

world can have a cover or can be an open

top with a deterrent like petroleum

jelly or baby powder or a liquid called

Insecta slip order from bio clip comm to

keep the ants from climbing out or

escaping there a world now the next

question you might have I'm sure is how

much is this going to cost well if you

would like to create your own form

aquarium we have a helpful video with

ideas on how you might be able to make

your own form aquarium if you or your

child are the crafty type cost materials

could range from $20 to $100 USD

depending on what you use or if you

would like to eliminate all guesswork

you can purchase any of our premium line

of four materials which are favored and

used by n keepers and museums around the

world our Omni nests range from 70

Canadian dollars to 200 Canadian dollars

depend

turning on the size with express

shipping ranging from 25 Canadian

dollars if you live in North America 250

dollars if you live outside of North

America the ants if caught from your

area are free of course but for those

who might have problems finding a queen

and rearing an ant colony

we have several and keepers in key

cities around the world who are selling

ants in their city you can visit our

website at ant canada calm and click

under the queen ants for sale tab to

find out if we are selling ants in your

city prices for ant colonies range from

15 US dollars to two hundred US dollars

depending on what the end farmer prices

his ants at now if your home is air

conditioned during the summer months

ants require a heating source like a

reptile heating cable which is usually

available at most pet shops for 15 to 30

USD you may also require an out world

which can be made from a critter crawler

usually priced at $25 magnifying glasses

and tweezers are optional tools and cost

about one to two dollars each all of

these expenses thus far are one-time

expenses food costs are usually minimal

you will need to provide honey water for

the ant colony as well as crickets or

mealworms which can be bought at most

pet stores for two to three dollars a

batch which can last for a week or if

your colony is super big can last a few

days

speaking of size how big can a colony

get you ask most captive colonies don't

grow as large as they do in the wild

simply because it's hard to provide

enough food and water needed for a

colony to reach its maximum size this

means then that you can actually control

the size of your ant colony by limiting

its food intake if you would like your

colony to stay at a certain size all you

need to do is continue to feed them the

same amount of food if you would like

your colony to grow into a massive

colony like many and keepers do you

simply have to provide more and more

food as well as more space for materials

and outworlds can be connected together

using tubing to form a network of ant

space which looks really cool

you might be asking are the setups

escape-proof if an ant setup is properly

done escapes are rare chances are if

your child has seen our videos he or she

knows how to properly secure an ant

colony in their setup now things you

should be aware of and look out for in

the end keeping hobby are as follows

there are some species of ants that

sting so if your child is young you

should probably supervise them if he or

she decides to keep a stinging species

and if your child is known to be

allergic to bee stings keeping a

stinging species events would definitely

be a no-no if you're unsure if the ants

your child is wanting to keep is a

dangerous stinging species please feel

free to email us at contact - us at

ncaa.com

with photos and we would be happy to

help you out the old world of the ant

colony needs to be cleaned every few

days the ants like people are clean and

organized and they set up both graveyard

sites and garbage disposal sites which

the ant keeper must clean up at least

once a week as well water and food

should be provided daily or every few

days depending on the size of the colony

now beware when shopping online for a

for material I highly suggest doing your

research when purchasing for materials

from online and Canada comm which is the

oldest Pro and keeping website in North

America has been providing ant products

and information to ant hobbyists for

years and we have established a good

reputation for developing quality form

aquariums museums around the world use

our form aquariums we ship our products

regularly to ant hobbyists in over 30

countries and we have been featured on

both Animal Planet and Discovery Channel

if you order from us I or any of my

highly knowledgeable staff are available

to you if you ever need help by way of

our customer service email and I'm even

available to Skype chat if you really

need personal assistance also as a

reputable company I will not name shady

or bad and shop websites to look out for

but I highly recommend that you watch

out for some of the homemade and

products available on some other

websites as we deal with many

dissatisfied hobbyists with complaints

about homemade form

areum's ranging from their aunts dying

in the form aquariums and getting lost

in unforeseen openings and poor customer

service and shipment they may perhaps be

cheap products but my advice is if you

are unsure we highly suggest to try

making your own form aquarium or

purchasing from us we give full

replacements or complete refunds for

damaged or dysfunctional form aquariums

we are completely risk free and are

devoted to making your and keeping

experience a memorable one oh and be

sure never to use those gel forms all

and keepers know that they kill and

colonies now what are the advantages in

keeping ends one advantage in keeping

ends includes teaching your child a

sense of responsibility and routine

required to care for living animals as

also give your child a good introduction

to biology and systems which can give

them a broader understanding and

admiration for nature as a kid I was

absolutely fascinated by insects and

luckily my parents allowed me to keep

ants which eventually led me to enter

the sciences in school and soon as an

adult I was able to found the aunt

canada and store where we now work with

members of the scientific community and

ant research insights into society

systems biology and insects the

environment and many more fields can be

acquired from simply owning and caring

for ants keeping local ants also

instills in your child a respect and

admiration for ecology and habitat

preservation which is important for the

future of mankind

keeping ants also allows for great

quality time and bonding with your child

as you both engage on a learning

experience together and something your

child is passionate or interested in we

receive a ton of emails from parents

raving about how much their child loves

their form aquarium and our ant videos

and for us it makes us smile we even

have parents and kids selling ants to

ant hobbyists in their city through our

gann project making some extra cash

through a hobby they both enjoy and

don't make any noise they don't require

a veterinarian they generally take up as

much space as a fish tank more or less

and are not super costly you can also

always release the ants back into the

wild if ever you feel like you don't

want to keep them any

more also the ants hibernate every

winter so if you're from a place that

experiences winter all of those chores

and maintenance required for your ant

colony completely stopped during the

three months break which frees you up to

do other things so this is a general

breakdown of the basics of the and

keeping hobby and if you would like to

learn more about it we do offer an

e-book on our website called the

ultimate and keeping handbook with a lot

more information on the end keepin hobby

and we also have a full playlist here on

our youtube channel of an tutorials

which you and your child can watch

together ants are a great way to keep

your child stimulated learning applied

engaged responsible and just generally

interested in a unique educational and

positive activity thank you so much for

watching this video and we hope you give

your son or daughter a chance to keep

pet ants

this is ants Canada signing out bye-bye