Why You Can’t Buy Queen Ants in the US

Why You Can’t Buy Queen Ants in the US

If you’re looking for queen ants for your pet ant colonies in the United States, you’re better off catching one rather than buying them online. The sale of queen ants is frowned upon by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has banned it for an important ecological reason.

In an ecosystem, animals and plants live in a delicate balance. They help each other grow in a controlled manner so that no species can flourish indiscriminately. For example, blue jays prey on insects to keep their population in check. In turn, blue jays are preyed upon by cats and snakes. When a foreign species is introduced into an ecosystem, it has no natural predator to keep its population in check in that ecosystem. As a result of this, the fragile balance breaks, harming the ecosystem and causing strain on the natural resources.

Sale of Queen Ants Isn’t Good for the Environment

If you buy a queen ant and it escapes and establishes a colony in an area where it isn’t naturally found, it could put a lot of stress on the local ecosystem. Invasive ant species cause harm to the natural biodiversity.

Take the example of the infamous red imported fire ants. These ants are native to South America but found their way to the United States through shipping craters. Having no natural predators here, they spread throughout the southern states, causing irreparable economic and ecological damage.

For this reason, USDA prohibits the sale of queen ants in the United States. You can still buy them in Europe and other countries but this is being debated now.

Ant Farms with Queen Ants is a Bad Idea Anyway

Ant farms aren’t meant to house a queen ant in any case. They are used to observe and learn about ants in a short period of time.

A queen ant lives for more than 15 years, continuously laying eggs, and producing ants. Ant farms are not designed to contain a large queen and the thousands of young she produces. Maintaining such a colony will require hard work and dedication on your part, something that’s better left to serious ant keepers.

As a hobbyist who’d only like to dabble in the ant keeping activity, you’ll get enough fun out of conventional ant farms that come without queens. Your ants will work just fine without the queen. 

Instead of Buying Queen Ants, Catch Them

Catching a queen ant is better than buying them because you’ll be getting the naturally occurring species. Be wary of the responsibilities that come along with it though. For more information on how to catch a queen ant, check out this wikiHow guide with helpful FAQs at the end of the article: https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Queen-Ant

Or watch this video by the AntsCanada YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSIe5iZk3Y

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    Ant Farm Ants: Live Red Harvester Ants

    Ant Farm Ants: Live Red Harvester Ants
    Ant Farm Ants: Live Red Harvester Ants

    Ant Farm Ants: Live Red Harvester Ants

    4.15 out of 5

    Red harvester ants are perfect for all kinds of ant farms.

    • One tube contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • You’ll also get a care sheet to look after your ants as they build their colony.
    • We ship live ant farm ants all year, all over the continental USA.
    • LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEED! Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant farm. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant farm. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant farm.
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    Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants
    Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    4.50 out of 5

    Ecosystem Ant Habitat kit turns your ant farm into a complete ant ecosystem. This amazing gel eco-terrarium reproduces life in a secure habitat. With the nutrient gel, you won’t have to worry about feeding your ants. It provides them all the food and water they need. This unique gel is also perfect to grow plants.

    • The kit includes live harvester ants or certificate for harvester ants, 6.5” x 5.5″ x 1.5″ curved ant farm, clear nutrient-rich gel, magnifier, tunnel starter tool, grass seeds, decorative palm trees and rocks, and instructions.
    • The unique gel is perfect for the ants to dig their tunnels and provides all their food and water.
    • The gel also allows you to grow seeds (provided) and watch your ants work their way around the roots. 
    • Kids can decorate the habitat with palm trees and colorful rocks before adding the ants.
    • One tube contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • Order your kit with live ants now OR receive your kit with a FREE certificate which you can redeem to get your ants at a later date.
    • Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant farm. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant farm. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant farm.
    $24.99$29.99
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    Connectable Ant Farm Pair With Live Ants

    Connectable Ant Farm Pair With Live Ants
    Connectable Ant Farm Pair With Live Ants

    Connectable Ant Farm Pair With Live Ants

    4.40 out of 5

    With the Connectable Ant Farm Pair you can now double the fun as you burrow into your ants’ underground kingdom. Connect your Ant Farm pair together with the help of special connector tube to give your ants more ground to explore and dominate.

    • The kit includes live harvester ants or certificate for harvester ants, two 9” x 6″ ant farms, clean tunneling sand, 24-inch clear connecting tube, water feeder, and illustrated ‘Ant Watcher’s Guide.
    • Ants travel between the two ant farms through clear, flexible Antway™ Connector Tubes.
    • One tube of ants contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • Order your kit with live ants now OR receive your kit with a FREE certificate which you can redeem to get your ants at a later date.
    • Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant farm. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant farm. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant farm.
    $34.99$39.99
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    Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm With Live Ants

    Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm With Live Ants
    Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm With Live Ants

    Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm With Live Ants

    4.57 out of 5

    Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm With Live Ants allows you to set up your ant colony as soon as it reaches your doorstep. No need to mail-in a certificate or voucher and wait for days to get your ant farm started.

    • The kit includes 1 tube of live harvester ants, 9” x 6″ ant farm, clean tunneling sand, 24-inch clear connecting tube, tunnel starter tool, water feeder, and illustrated ‘Ant Watcher’s Guide.
    • One tube contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • If you purchase more than one of these ant farms, you can connect them together. The ants will travel between the ant farms in their big colony.
    • Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant farm. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant farm. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant farm.
    $24.95
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    Lighted Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Lighted Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants
    Hot
    Lighted Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Lighted Ecosystem Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    5.00 out of 5

    With the Lighted Ecosystem Ant Habitat, you can observe the complete ant ecosystem come to life in front of your eyes. This eco-themed, illuminated ant farm is an exciting gift for nature lovers of all ages and those with a curious mind.

    • The kit includes live harvester ants or certificate for harvester ants, 6.5” x 5.5″ x 1.5″ curved ant farm, clear nutrient-rich gel, magnifier, tunnel starter tool, grass seeds, decorative palm trees and rocks, removable LED base with 110V AC power adapter, and instructions.
    • Bright blue LED bulbs light up the ant tunnels for better visibility!
    • The unique gel is perfect for the ants to dig their tunnels and provides all their food and water.
    • The gel also allows you to grow seeds (provided) and watch your ants work their way around the roots. 
    • Kids can decorate the habitat with palm trees and colorful rocks before adding the ants.
    • One tube contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • Order your kit with live ants now OR receive your kit with a FREE certificate which you can redeem to get your ants at a later date.
    • Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant habitat. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant habitat. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant habitat.
    $29.99$34.99
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    Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants
    Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    4.89 out of 5

    Gel Ant Habitat provides an exciting opportunity to explore the underground world of ants. This self-contained ant environment kit includes everything you’ll need to start keeping ants. It is a perfect starting point for those looking to pick up the entertaining hobby of ant-keeping.

    • The kit includes live harvester ants or certificate for harvester ants, 6.5” x 5.5″ x 1.5″ curved ant farm, pre-packed clear nutrient-rich gel, magnifier, tunnel starter tool, and instructions.
    • This ant farm is based on experiments conducted by NASA scientists to test ants in space. The unique gel contains all the required nutrients to promote a healthy colony. No food or water needed!
    • One tube contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • Order your kit with live ants now OR receive your kit with a FREE certificate which you can redeem to get your ants at a later date.
    • Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant farm. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant farm. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant farm.
    $24.99$29.99
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    Lighted Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Lighted Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants
    Lighted Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    Lighted Gel Ant Habitat With Live Ants

    4.25 out of 5

    Lighted Gel Ant Habitat comes with bright blue LED bulbs that light up the ant tunnels! Now you can easily observe the underground world of ants atop your desk. Pre-packed nutrient-rich gel along with soft blue LED lights lets you clearly watch your ants without getting your hands dirty.

    • The kit includes live harvester ants or certificate for harvester ants, 6.5” x 5.5″ x 1.5″ curved ant farm, pre-packed clear nutrient-rich gel, magnifier, tunnel starter tool, removable LED base with 110V AC power adapter, and instructions.
    • This ant farm is based on experiments conducted by NASA scientists to test ants in space. The unique gel contains all the required nutrients to promote a healthy colony. No food or water needed!
    • One tube contains 25 live red harvester ants plus a few extra, with food.
    • Order your kit with live ants now OR receive your kit with a FREE certificate which you can redeem to get your ants at a later date.
    • Please do not order if it’s below 40°F or above 85°F in your area. Our live arrival guarantee will be void if ordered during these temperatures.
    • IMPORTANT: We recommend adult supervision for setting up and managing the ant farm. Please follow the instructions that have been provided with your ants and ant farm. Harvester ants can bite or sting to protect themselves when handled, touched, or provoked. If you’re allergic or sensitive to insect bites and stings, take extra caution in setting up and managing the ant farm.
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