Black garden ant (Lasius niger)

Short answers

Black garden ant: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Nest from 10×10 cm plus a foraging area from 20×20 cm.

Black garden ant: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night room temperature is enough.

Black garden ant: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Black garden ant: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: queen up to 20 years.

Black garden ant: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

room temperature is enough

Humidity

nest 50–70 %, foraging area 30–50 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

nest from 10×10 cm plus a foraging area from 20×20 cm

Substrate

An aerated-concrete or plaster nest, with a sand-loam foraging arena

Feeding

Food

Sugar or honey water plus insects (flies, house crickets)

Feeding interval

always offer sugar, insects 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

worker 3–5 mm, queen 8–9 mm

Life expectancy

queen up to 20 years

Origin

Europe

Protection status

—

Brumation

Essential: late October to the end of March at 5–8 °C

Cohabitation

Colony per enclosure - two colonies will kill each other. Monogynous (one queen per nest).

Notes

The classic beginner's species: robust, forgiving of mistakes, and quick to grow. Without a winter rest the colony dies out in the medium term.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Black garden ant (Lasius niger) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus) – Beginner
• Asian carpenter ant (Camponotus nicobarensis) – Beginner
• Leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex octospinosus) – Experts
• Nylander's acorn ant (Temnothorax nylanderi) – Beginner
• European fire ant (Manica rubida) – Intermediate
• Brown-black carpenter ant (Camponotus ligniperda) – Intermediate
• Harvester ant (Messor barbarus) – Beginner
• Silky field ant (Formica fusca) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black garden ant (Lasius niger) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (nest from 10×10 cm plus a foraging area from 20×20 cm), substrate (An aerated-concrete or plaster nest, with a sand-loam foraging arena), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.