Antastic Tom
2026 UK flight-caught queen
Lasius niger Young Colony Starter Set
Lasius niger Young Colony Starter Set
Start your first colony with a 2026 UK flight-caught Lasius niger queen and her first generation of workers.Choose your preferred colony size, from a queen with just a few first workers through to a more established young colony.Each colony is supplied in its current test tube setup and includes everything needed to care for it as it continues to grow.
Keep the colony in its supplied test tube while it is still small. The included Founding Pod provides a simple feeding and expansion space without forcing the colony into a larger nest too early.
Choosing a colony size: As worker numbers increase, Lasius niger colonies become more active and their feeding response becomes much stronger. With larger colonies, workers may quickly investigate the Founding Pod when the lid is opened and can escape if you're not prepared.Open the pod carefully, have food ready before removing the lid, and avoid leaving it open longer than necessary. If you're new to ant keeping, a smaller colony may be easier to manage while you get used to feeding and maintenance.
Delivery information: Live Ants
Live ant delivery Orders containing live ants must use Royal Mail Tracked 24 (£7.00). Please select this option at checkout. Orders containing live ants placed using Tracked 48 may need to be cancelled and refunded.
Please note: Larger colonies are considerably more active. Take extra care when opening the Founding Pod, as workers may reach the opening quickly.
Founding Pod Colour
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Optional future upgrade: Only add the Small Nest pack if you understand that the colony may remain in its original test tube for several months.
What’s included
What’s included
- One 2026 UK flight-caught Lasius niger queen.
- Hydrated test tube founding setup.
- Antastic Tom Founding Pod.
- Sugar-water bottle with needle-tip applicator.
- Feeding tray.
- Starter care instructions.
About your queen
About your queen
Your queen was collected by Antastic Tom following a natural UK nuptial flight and will be checked alive before dispatch.
As with any newly caught queen, successful mating and colony founding cannot be guaranteed. Wing loss is encouraging but does not prove that a queen has mated successfully.
Founding and first workers
Founding and first workers
Lasius niger queens are fully claustral and normally raise their first workers using stored energy reserves. Keep the queen somewhere stable, covered and away from repeated disturbance.
She does not normally need feeding before her first workers arrive. Once the workers are active, the test tube can open into the Founding Pod and small portions of sugar water and insect protein can be offered on the feeding tray.
Delivery information
Delivery information
Orders containing live ants will only be dispatched when postal and weather conditions are considered suitable.
Full dispatch days, delivery areas and weather-delay information will be available on the Live Ant Delivery page.
Live arrival
Live arrival
Open the parcel promptly and inspect the queen without removing her from the test tube.
Any arrival problem must be reported promptly with the order number and clear photographs of the queen, test tube and packaging. Full reporting requirements will be stated on the Live Ant Delivery page.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the queen need feeding immediately?
Normally, no. Lasius niger is fully claustral and should usually be left undisturbed until the first workers arrive.
Should I move her into the optional nest?
No. The nest is future equipment. The queen should remain in her test tube until the colony has workers and there is a genuine reason to move.
How often should I check her?
Keep checks brief and infrequent. Repeated handling, light and vibration provide no benefit during founding.
Is successful founding guaranteed?
No. Every queen will be checked alive before dispatch, but fertility, egg laying and successful colony development cannot be guaranteed.
Is Lasius niger suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is a hardy UK-native species that is generally straightforward to house and feed, although every colony still requires responsible care.
My colony arrived quickly and really well packaged - the queen has five workers and plenty of brood. The setup is lovely (and very reasonably priced!) I love how everything included was actually needed - no useless items just to make a set look fancy.
Tom’s products really seem to match his videos - no-nonsense, simple and just what is necessary. At the same time they have a nice clean, minimal look, without the use of harsh black or white colours.
1 queen, 3 workers and about 15 eggs received .
packaged very well. nothing damaged and nothing broken.
very pleased
Great service and fast delivery. Equipment felt it was well made and designed. Clearly a lot of thought and care has been taken. No pressure to buy unnecessary kit until established. One week in and we have eggs and a lively starter colony. Had to euthanise one ant that escaped during feeding.
Great service. My queen arrived alive and healthy and the founding pod is of good quality for the price
Bought a good while ago probably about a month ago no eggs have hatched don’t know if I’m doing something wrong-update mold has now formed still no progress eggs just seem to go grey and look infertile
Hi, sorry to hear the colony hasn't progressed as you'd hoped! If it's the usual dark mould on the cotton, that's actually quite common in test tube setups and generally isn't a problem.
The eggs turning grey is a little more concerning, though. There are several reasons brood might fail to develop, and unfortunately not every queen successfully raises her first workers. It's difficult to say what's happened without seeing the colony.
I wasn't aware you were having issues, so please feel free to drop me an email with a couple of photos. I'm more than happy to take a look and offer some advice!
Exactly as described, queen looked healthy and instructions are clear and helpful thankyou!
Good instructions on how to use and look after the queen.
