Description

Everything you need to raise a thriving colony.

Start your own Western Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) colony with this complete founding kit designed for beginners and young keepers. This kit includes all essential supplies for the first 6 months, plus a healthy, fertile queen with her biological workers, brood, and developing offspring.

Whether you’re new to ant keeping or expanding your collection, this kit gives you a smooth, stress-free start with one of the most fascinating species in North America.

This kit includes a fertile queen, brood, and biological workers.

What’s Included

Care Guide

Live Colony

Fertile Western Harvester queen
Biological workers
Eggs, larvae, and pupae

Founding Habitat Setup

Founding test tube setup
Mini-Round-House outworld
Base with integrated heat-cable guide
Heat cable
Test tube privacy screen

Food & Nutrition

Mini containers of bluegrass seeds, dandelion seeds, sand dropseed
1oz container of Harvester Seeds
Small bottle of nectar
Feeding plates and dishes

Tools & Handling Supplies

Tweezers
Entomology featherweight forceps

About This Kit

Western Harvester Ants are active, social, and highly engaging to observe. This founding kit recreates the conditions they need to start strong, supporting brood development and steady colony growth during the first six months.

Colonies begin in the founding test tube and Mini-Round-House. With ideal care and warmth, most colonies are ready to transition to a small formicarium after six months.

Why Western Harvester Ants?

Excellent choice for beginners
Active foragers and visually engaging
Seed-based diet is easy to maintain
Fascinating queen and worker interactions

Perfect For

New ant keepers
Families
Ant enthusiasts building new colonies

Important Safety Warning

Western Harvester Ants can sting, and the sting can be painful. This species is not recommended for young children without supervision. Avoid direct contact and always use tools when interacting with the habitat.

After 6 Months

With steady warmth, proper nutrition, and consistent care, your colony will be ready to upgrade into a small formicarium. Ant Gear offers a range of habitats designed specifically for young harvester colonies.