Short answer: keep a founding queen in a test tube setup, somewhere dark and warm, and leave her alone. Most queens are fully claustral and don't need to be fed at all. The big exceptions are Myrmica, Pogonomyrmex and Manica, which are semi-claustral and need a foraging area with food. With heat, expect eggs within 2–3 weeks and the first workers about 4–8 weeks after that.
1. Set up a test tube
- Fill a clean test tube about one-third with water.
- Push a cotton ball in until it sits just above the water. This holds the water in while letting moisture through.
- Put the queen in the dry part and close the tube with a second, folded cotton ball.
Queens bought from us already come in a test tube setup.
2. Keep her dark, warm and undisturbed
Put the tube somewhere dark. If you have a heat cable, place it at the dry end of the tube to gently warm the queen. Don't keep checking on her: stress from being disturbed is often worse for a founding queen than going without food.
3. Feeding: usually not needed
Fully claustral queens (most species)
These queens live off their own reserves until the first workers arrive, so feeding isn't necessary, though it can be beneficial. If you want to, a tiny bit of honey or a crushed, freshly dead insect once or twice during founding is the most she should get. Fully claustral queens tend to be larger, with bigger abdomens.
Semi-claustral queens
Myrmica, Pogonomyrmex and Manica queens forage during founding, so they need access to a small foraging area with food. Semi-claustral queens tend to be smaller, with thinner abdomens.
Social parasite queens
Some Lasius and Formica queens can't found a colony alone at all. They need host workers and must be fed sugar and protein throughout founding. See Founding of temporary parasitic and slave-maker ants.
Not sure which kind you have? Get the species identified first. We offer a free identification service for live ants, accurate for Canada and most US states.
4. Winter: some queens must hibernate first
Many queens from Canada and the northern US need a winter hibernation before they lay, usually only in the colony's first year. A single queen bought or caught in fall or winter should be hibernated. See How long do ants hibernate?
5. The timeline
- Eggs: usually within 2–3 weeks.
- First workers: about 6–8 weeks after the first eggs for most medium-sized species, and 4–6 weeks for smaller species.
- Without heat: expect it to take about twice as long.
The first workers, called nanitics, are small. Once they appear, start feeding the colony small amounts of sugar and protein. See What do pet ants eat?
Frequently asked questions
My queen hasn't laid eggs. Is she infertile?
Not necessarily. She may be waiting for hibernation, stressed from being moved, or too cold. Keep her dark, warm and undisturbed for a couple of weeks.
Should I feed my founding queen?
Not usually. It isn't necessary for fully claustral queens, and disturbing her is often worse than leaving her hungry. Semi-claustral queens do need food.
Can I skip the founding stage?
Yes. Buy a colony that already has workers. They're more active and easier to care for. Browse colonies.