Ants at home? What is it all for?

A dog, cat, parrot, fish, guinea pig or hamster — these and many other pets need care, attention and looking after. Some are more demanding and time-consuming than others. Sometimes your child wants a pet, but you are either unsure whether they are responsible enough or do not have enough time to walk a dog, clean up after a cat and protect shoes and furniture from damage. Ants are an ideal way to show your child that even such tiny creatures need attention and care. Looking after ants will prepare your child for the responsibility and organisation needed in adult life. Day after day, these social insects will demonstrate how important and effective it is to “work as a team” and “act together”. They will show how weak a single ant is and how strong ants are together.

Ants can help you explain many things to your child. They will give you another shared interest, new topics of conversation and a reason to spend time together. This matters because we are all so busy in everyday life. Having another reason to spend some time with your child would be wonderful.

The care involved is very simple. Feeding is needed infrequently: a pinch of seeds lasts Messor Structor ants a long time. This is the species our shop specialises in for beginner keepers. Specific protein supplements are desirable but do not have to be offered daily. Humidity is very important, but this can always be addressed by providing special water dispensers, which can be ordered from us or made yourself. Cleaning is also relatively infrequent and does not involve much trouble. This is an ideal type of pet for people who cannot devote much time to their animals.

Ants are also a wonderful subject for study. Imagine how amazed your child’s classmates will be when they hear a biology presentation about ants — not hypothetical ones, but real ants living in a special “home ant nest” in your house!