How to have an EPIC Antfarm: Helpful Tips for Amateur & Wannabe Ant Keepers

Summary

In this engaging video, Aunt Canada and her friend Jor-el from Manila, Philippines, share their passion for ant keeping with viewers. They demonstrate the process of expanding an ant colony by adding a satellite nest to a thriving solenopsis Jem'Hadar colony. The video introduces a new product, the Omni nest vertical, which offers a modular and expandable habitat for ants. The hosts also discuss the importance of patience, creativity, and learning from the ants themselves, providing valuable tips for both novice and experienced ant keepers. The video is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to dive into the fascinating hobby of ant farming.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Aunt Canada and Jor-El, from Manila, Philippines, are friends who met through the ant-keeping hobby and are now collaborating on a video.
• 🐜 Jor-El's solenopsis geminata colony has grown significantly since its purchase from Ants Canada in January, requiring an expansion.
• 📦 Jor-El has created a custom 'Outworld' for his ants using a plastic container from a hardware store, providing ample space for the ants to explore.
• 🏢 The video demonstrates the addition of a 'satellite nest' to the colony using a new product called the 'Omni Nest Vertical', which has different levels and sliding plates for access control.
• 🔍 The Omni Nest Vertical is designed with water retention in mind, and its features will be discussed in more depth in a future video.
• 🔄 The process of connecting the satellite nest to the main colony involves careful handling to minimize disturbance and escapes.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Jor-El's family has become involved in the hobby, making it a shared experience and providing support in managing the growing colony.
• 📚 Patience is key in ant-keeping, especially when starting with a small colony, as it allows the ants to acclimate and begin to reproduce without interference.
• 🍽️ A variety of foods are fed to the ants, including bread, seeds, sugary treats, and protein sources like mealworms and other insects, with care taken to avoid contaminated food.
• 💡 As the colony grows, the ant keeper must become more proactive, checking on the ants frequently and adapting to their needs for food and space.
• 🤝 Engaging with a community, such as a Facebook group, and sharing the ant-keeping experience with others can enhance the enjoyment and learning process.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about setting up and expanding an ant farm, specifically focusing on the solenopsis Jem'Hadar colony.

Who are the hosts of the video?

The hosts of the video are Aunt Canada and Jor-el, who is also known as Yonko from Manila, Philippines.

How did Aunt Canada and Jor-el meet?

Aunt Canada and Jor-el met through the gun program when Jor-el enquired about purchasing ants from Canada.

What is the purpose of adding a satellite nest to the colony?

The purpose of adding a satellite nest is to provide more space for the growing ant colony, as they need more room to expand.

What is the new product introduced in the video called?

The new product introduced in the video is called the Omni Nest Vertical.

What are the features of the Omni Nest Vertical?

The Omni Nest Vertical stands vertically and has different floors with access controlled by sliding plates. It also has a side designed to retain water.

What is the current size of Jor-el's solenopsis Jem'Hadar colony?

Jor-el's solenopsis Jem'Hadar colony has grown significantly since its purchase in January, starting with just a queen and a few workers.

What advice does Jor-el give to new ant keepers about being patient?

Jor-el advises new ant keepers to be patient, especially in the initial stages when the ants are in a test tube, and to resist the temptation to move them into a formicarium too early.

What kind of food does Jor-el feed his solenopsis Jem'Hadar ants?

Jor-el feeds his solenopsis Jem'Hadar ants a variety of foods including bread, seeds, sugary treats, candies, chocolates, mealworms, super worms, and meat scraps.

What is the biggest challenge Jor-el faced as his colony grew?

The biggest challenge Jor-el faced as his colony grew was becoming very active and checking on the ants every 2 or 3 hours, and ensuring they had enough food and space.

What is Jor-el's advice for those who want to get into ant keeping but feel overwhelmed?

Jor-el's advice is to utilize the abundance of material online, involve the people around you in the experience, and not be ashamed to share your interest with others.