Quick answer. Lasius niger is the black garden ant everyone has seen on a pavement, and one of the two best species to start with in Spain. The queen founds alone and without food, produces her first workers within a few weeks and the colony grows at a good pace without asking for anything unusual: room temperature of 20 to 26 degrees in the active season, a source of sugars always available and some insects for the brood. Its only non-negotiable condition is diapause: it needs a genuinely cool winter, with the colony at rest. It forgives mistakes better than almost any other species, which is why it's the one we usually recommend to people who have never kept ants.
At a glance
| Origin | Europe, including the whole Iberian Peninsula |
| Founding | Claustral: the queen doesn't need food |
| Diet | Sugars and insects |
| Temperature | 20-26 °C in the active season |
| Diapause | Yes, mandatory in winter |
| Difficulty | Easy |
What the species is like
Small, dark, very active workers that form clear trails to food as soon as they find it. The colony grows steadily and, after the first year, it's common to have several hundred workers active at once, which makes the foraging area very entertaining.
It's a species that tolerates humidity and temperature changes well, as long as you respect its winter break. Skipping diapause several years in a row shortens the queen's life.
What the colony needs
During founding, just the test tube and peace and quiet. With 20 or 30 workers it's time to move it to a small nest with adjustable humidity, such as the Terra Starter V2 or the Terra Starter Kit, and later expand with modules from the modular range. In winter: less food, a lower temperature and water always available.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a queen or a colony?
At AntMaster they cost €0: a queen with eggs and a colony with workers, in the Free Ants collection.
How do I do the diapause?
By lowering the temperature during winter, in a cool part of the house, while still giving it water and very little food.
How long until it has workers?
Between three and six weeks from egg-laying, depending on the temperature.
Last updated: September 21, 2026.