Quick answer. In Spain, ant colonies with a queen are bought from shops that specialise in myrmecology, not from general pet shops. Before paying, make sure of four things: that the species is identified by its scientific name, that the queen travels in a test tube with water and cotton, that shipping is express and designed for live animals, and that there's someone on the other end if something goes wrong. At AntMaster, queens and colonies of native species (Messor barbarus, Lasius niger, Camponotus sylvaticus and Pheidole pallidula) cost €0: you add them to the cart like any other product and only pay for shipping, which is free on orders from €75 to mainland Spain. Exotic species, such as Carebara diversa or Harpegnathos venator, call for some prior experience and are currently out of stock, though you can still read their care sheets. Every order ships from our workshop in Spain.
Is it legal to buy ants in Spain?
Yes, with some nuances. Native species can be bred, sold and kept at home without any special permit: they are not protected animals and no regulation prevents it.
With exotic species there are two lists to check. Royal Decree 630/2013 regulates the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species, which prohibits selling and keeping the species it includes, such as the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). No serious shop sells listed species. On top of that comes the rule you must never break, whatever species you keep: never release a colony into the wild, not even a native one brought from another province.
What the shop must meet before you pay
- Identified species. Full scientific name, not just "black ant". Without a scientific name you don't know what you're keeping or what care it needs.
- Queen with eggs or workers. A lone, freshly caught queen may not be fertilised; a founding colony with eggs or first workers already proves she is.
- A prepared test tube. Water held back by cotton, a dry chamber and a plug. It's the standard setup and the one that best survives the journey.
- Express shipping for live animals. The less time they spend in transit, the better. Standard shipping that takes several days is a bad sign.
- Real customer service. Someone who answers before and after the purchase, not just a form.
Which species to choose the first time
| Species | Difficulty | Why | Price at AntMaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messor barbarus | Easy | Harvester ant, grows fast and is very active. The most recommended to start with. | €0 |
| Lasius niger | Easy | The classic European ant. Forgives humidity and feeding mistakes. | €0 |
| Pheidole pallidula | Medium | Two castes: small workers and huge-headed soldiers. Very eye-catching. | €0 |
| Camponotus sylvaticus | Medium | Large, beautiful ants, but slow-growing and with diapause. | €0 |
| Carebara diversa | Advanced | Supercolony with giant soldiers. Needs heat, high humidity and space. | Currently out of stock |
How it works at AntMaster
- Queens and colonies of native species are in the Free Ants collection for €0.
- Live animals are shipped by express service, free to mainland Spain on orders from €75.
- Exotic species are currently out of stock; how to keep them is still covered in our care sheets.
- The ant nests are handmade in our workshop in Spain, so the colony and the nest come from the same place.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy just the queen, without an ant nest?
Yes. In fact it's the usual way to start: the founding colony spends its first weeks inside the test tube and doesn't need an ant nest until it has about 20 or 30 workers. Many hobbyists use that time to choose the final nest without rushing.
What if the queen arrives dead?
We replace it or refund you, your choice. You have 48 hours from delivery to tell us, with photos or a video of the unopened parcel and of the contents as they arrived. The guarantee always covers the queen, and the workers if more than 20% arrive dead. It does not cover parcels left outside or not collected after the delivery notice.
Full terms on our Guarantee and after-sales service page.
Can ants be shipped in summer or winter?
Yes, but extreme heat and frost are the main transport risk. During heatwaves or cold snaps it's worth waiting a few days: it's the most common reason a founding colony doesn't survive the journey.
How many ants come in a colony?
It depends on the product: a founding colony is a queen with her first eggs or workers, and an established colony has around 20 to 40 workers. Each product page states the exact size.
Do I need a permit to keep ants at home?
Not for native species. For exotic ones, the responsibility is yours: keep them in an escape-proof setup and never release them.
Last updated: October 4, 2026.