What are the correct methods for keeping ants in captivity

Keeping ants generally requires keeping “a complete social colony”, because a single ant separated from its colony can only live a few days. So when keeping them, you need to build them a nest and also prepare a queen ant, then feed them things like honey, jam or fruit as food every few days. Normally just keep them in a warm room, and do not let direct sunlight hit them. Keeping ants is different from keeping other pets, and you should pay attention to the following points:

1. When ants are dried out to a dangerous degree, they will attack or defend themselves by biting with their two large mandibles, and when they bite they secrete formic acid (methanoic acid), which irritates the bitten wound, causing it to swell, redden and hurt. So during the keeping period, do not come into direct contact with the ants.

2. Ants go from egg to adult in only 15-20 days, so after keeping them for a period of time there will be more and more ants, and the original ant nest will no longer be able to bear the load, resulting in a nest explosion. After a nest explosion, use a larger ant nest.

3. Never mix two ant colonies together; they will fight to the death, which is too cruel for the ants. So if your ants were caught rather than ordered, make sure they are all ants from one nest.

4. Do not cover the ant farm——the ants will suffocate and die. If you must cover it, then use a rubber band to bind a paper towel, and prick a few holes in it with a pin. Or use a fine metal wire mesh.

Keeping ants also requires a certain amount of skill and patience; beginners should understand the relevant knowledge well before starting.