FAQ
FAQ
Everything you need to know before you order.
Will my ants arrive alive?
Yes — and it's guaranteed, bar none. Every order is hand-inspected and packed for the trip, and if anything arrives deceased — no matter what happened in transit — we replace or refund it under our Live Arrival Guarantee. All we ask for is photos of the ants as they arrived.
How much is shipping?
UPS/FedEx 2-Day is $20 flat — free on orders over $120. Overnight is $50 ($35 to CA, OR & WA) — free on orders over $250. Details on our shipping page.
I found a queen ant in my yard. What do I do?
First, keep her calm and shaded. Then confirm she's really a queen and get her into a test tube setup. Our guide walks the whole first week: I Found a Queen Ant — Now What? →
I'm brand new to ant keeping. Where should I start?
Start with a hardy, forgiving species. Our harvester ants and Myrmecocystus kennedyi make excellent first colonies, and every species we sell has a care guide written for it.
What's the difference between a queen and a colony?
A founding queen is just starting out and will raise her first workers herself. A colony already has workers and brood, so it's past the most fragile early stage. Each listing tells you exactly what you'll receive.
What do I feed them?
It depends on the species. Honeypots (Myrmecocystus) live on sugars and nectar with insect protein for the brood; harvesters (Pogonomyrmex) are seed-eaters that also take protein. Every product page covers the essentials.
What does “claustral founding” mean?
It means a queen can raise her first generation of workers entirely on her own stored reserves, without foraging — so a founding queen doesn't need feeding until her first workers emerge.
Do you ship year-round?
We ship with the weather in mind and may briefly hold an order during extreme heat or cold to protect the animals. We'll always keep you posted. See our shipping information for details.
Is it legal for me to keep these?
Ant-keeping rules vary by state, and it is the keeper's responsibility to know the rules where they live. We ship within the US only and our listings reflect the ranges we can send to, but the final check is yours. If you are unsure, contact us before ordering. And whatever you keep, never release ants outdoors. Full detail on our shipping page.