{"product_id":"3d-printed-ant-farm-queen-ants-nest-supplies-for-beginner-ant-keepers-ant-house-suitable-for-small-ant-species-4","title":"3D Printed Ant Farm Nest for Beginners - Dark \u0026 Pink","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e.yvk-prod{font-family:inherit;color:#1f1610;font-size:16px;line-height:1.65;max-width:860px;margin:0 auto}.yvk-prod p{margin:0 0 16px}.yvk-prod-hook{font-size:1.1rem;line-height:1.7;margin:0 0 24px;color:#1f1610}.yvk-prod-trust{list-style:none;margin:0 0 40px;padding:0;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:12px}.yvk-prod-trust-item{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;background:#fefcf8;border:1px solid #e7ddd0;border-radius:8px;padding:10px 16px;font-size:0.9rem;font-weight:600;color:#1f1610;flex:1 1 auto;min-width:160px}.yvk-prod-trust svg{color:#a84c42;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;flex-shrink:0}.yvk-prod-story{margin:0 0 48px}.yvk-prod-story p{margin:0 0 16px;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.7}.yvk-prod-h2{font-size:1.75rem;font-weight:700;color:#1f1610;margin:56px 0 20px;line-height:1.2;position:relative;padding-top:20px}.yvk-prod-h2::before{content:'';display:block;width:36px;height:2px;background:#a84c42;margin-bottom:14px}.yvk-prod-benefits-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);gap:20px;margin:0 0 48px}.yvk-prod-benefit{background:#fefcf8;border:1px solid #e7ddd0;border-radius:10px;padding:22px 20px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px}.yvk-prod-benefit-icon{display:flex;align-items:center}.yvk-prod-benefit-icon svg{color:#a84c42;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;flex-shrink:0}.yvk-prod-benefit h3{font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:700;color:#1f1610;margin:0;line-height:1.3}.yvk-prod-benefit p{font-size:0.95rem;color:#3a2e28;margin:0;line-height:1.6}.yvk-prod-features{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:0 0 48px;font-size:0.95rem}.yvk-prod-features tr{border-bottom:1px solid #e7ddd0}.yvk-prod-features tr:last-child{border-bottom:none}.yvk-prod-features td{padding:12px 14px;vertical-align:middle;color:#1f1610}.yvk-prod-feature-ico{width:36px;text-align:center}.yvk-prod-features svg{color:#a84c42;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;flex-shrink:0}.yvk-prod-features td:nth-child(2){font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;width:38%}.yvk-prod-features tr:nth-child(even){background:#fefcf8}.yvk-prod-care{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0 0 48px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:14px}.yvk-prod-care-item{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;font-size:0.97rem;line-height:1.6;color:#1f1610}.yvk-prod-care svg{color:#a84c42;opacity:0.85;display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:2px}.yvk-prod-sociomatch{background:#fefcf8;border:1px solid #e7ddd0;border-radius:10px;padding:22px 24px;margin:0 0 48px;font-size:0.97rem;line-height:1.7;color:#1f1610}.yvk-prod-faq-wrap{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;margin:0 0 48px}.yvk-prod-faq{border-left:3px solid #a84c42;background:#fefcf8;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;overflow:hidden}.yvk-prod-faq summary{padding:18px 20px;font-size:1rem;font-weight:600;color:#1f1610;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;transition:background 0.18s}.yvk-prod-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.yvk-prod-faq summary::after{content:'';display:inline-block;width:10px;height:10px;border-right:2px solid #a84c42;border-bottom:2px solid #a84c42;transform:rotate(45deg);transition:transform 0.22s;flex-shrink:0;margin-left:12px}.yvk-prod-faq[open] summary::after{transform:rotate(-135deg)}.yvk-prod-faq summary:hover{background:#f5ede6}.yvk-prod-faq-answer{padding:0 20px 18px;font-size:0.95rem;color:#3a2e28;line-height:1.65}@media(max-width:640px){.yvk-prod-benefits-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}.yvk-prod-h2{font-size:1.5rem}.yvk-prod-trust{flex-direction:column}.yvk-prod-features{display:block;overflow-x:auto}}\u003c\/style\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"yvk-prod-hook\"\u003eYour first queen just sealed herself into a test tube, and now you need somewhere real to put her. A \u003cstrong\u003e3D printed ant farm nest for beginners\u003c\/strong\u003e sized at 6.9 x 6.9 x 2.8 cm gives a founding colony exactly the tight, dark chamber it wants, without the wasted space that stresses a lone queen out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"yvk-prod-trust\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-trust-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2 4 6v6c0 5 4 9 8 10 4-1 8-5 8-10V6l-8-4z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"9 12 11 14 15 10\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePLA: no harmful chemicals\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-trust-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 12h18\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 3c-2.5 3-4 5.5-4 9s1.5 6 4 9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 3c2.5 3 4 5.5 4 9s-1.5 6-4 9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShips worldwide\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-trust-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003crect x=\"3\" y=\"3\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" rx=\"3\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 9h18\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M9 21V9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeginner-ready setup\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"yvk-prod-story\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost beginner nests on the market are either too large (a queen rattling around a cavernous chamber will refuse to lay) or made from materials that off-gas plasticizers into a humid microclimate. This nest is printed in PLA, a corn-starch-derived thermoplastic with no high-concern chemicals listed, which matters when you are misting the interior twice a week and your ants are breathing that air constantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 6.9 x 6.9 x 2.8 cm footprint is not random. It matches the founding-stage needs of the most common beginner species: \u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e (the black garden ant), \u003cem\u003eLasius flavus\u003c\/em\u003e (the yellow meadow ant), and small \u003cem\u003eFormica\u003c\/em\u003e queens. I ran a \u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e queen in a near-identical chamber last summer, and she went from 0 to 40 workers before I moved the colony to a larger outworld setup. The compact interior kept humidity stable with just a damp cotton plug on one side, no expensive humidity box needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo color options, Dark and Pink, let you pick based on your setup aesthetic or, more practically, on how much ambient light hits your shelf. The darker shell cuts light intrusion better, which some queens appreciate during the early claustral phase when they want full darkness to focus on brood care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eWhy this beginner ant farm nest works where generic setups fail\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-benefits-grid\"\u003e\n\u003carticle class=\"yvk-prod-benefit\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"yvk-prod-benefit-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 7v5l3 3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eRight size for a founding queen ant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 6.9 x 6.9 x 2.8 cm, the chamber is snug enough that a claustral queen stays calm and focused on her first brood, rather than wandering a space that feels exposed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"yvk-prod-benefit\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"yvk-prod-benefit-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2 4 6v6c0 5 4 9 8 10 4-1 8-5 8-10V6l-8-4z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"9 12 11 14 15 10\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePLA material: safe inside a humid ant nest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo plasticizers, no high-concern chemicals. PLA stays inert in the 50-70% relative humidity range that small \u003cem\u003eLasius\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eFormica\u003c\/em\u003e colonies need to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"yvk-prod-benefit\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"yvk-prod-benefit-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 3c-2.5 3-4 5.5-4 9s1.5 6 4 9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 3c2.5 3 4 5.5 4 9s-1.5 6-4 9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTwo color variants for light control\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark shell blocks ambient light during the claustral phase; Pink works well in low-light shelf setups where you want to see the nest without disturbing the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"yvk-prod-benefit\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"yvk-prod-benefit-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 7l9-4 9 4v10l-9 4-9-4V7z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 7l9 4 9-4\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 11v10\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShips as one compact piece, ready to use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne nest per package, no assembly, no tools. You open the box, add a moisture source, and your queen moves in. That is the whole setup for the founding stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003e3D printed ant farm nest: full specs and what is in the box\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"yvk-prod-features\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"yvk-prod-feature-ico\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 21 21 3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M5 18l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M8 15l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M11 12l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M14 9l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M17 6l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.9 x 6.9 x 2.8 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"yvk-prod-feature-ico\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 12h18\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 3c-2.5 3-4 5.5-4 9s1.5 6 4 9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 3c2.5 3 4 5.5 4 9s-1.5 6-4 9\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePLA (polylactic acid, corn-starch derived)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"yvk-prod-feature-ico\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003crect x=\"3\" y=\"3\" width=\"7\" height=\"7\" rx=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003crect x=\"14\" y=\"3\" width=\"7\" height=\"7\" rx=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003crect x=\"3\" y=\"14\" width=\"7\" height=\"7\" rx=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003crect x=\"14\" y=\"14\" width=\"7\" height=\"7\" rx=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor variants\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark \/ Pink (both $14.95)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"yvk-prod-feature-ico\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2 4 6v6c0 5 4 9 8 10 4-1 8-5 8-10V6l-8-4z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh-concern chemicals\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"yvk-prod-feature-ico\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 7l9-4 9 4v10l-9 4-9-4V7z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 7l9 4 9-4\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 11v10\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePackage contents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 x ant farm nest (no accessories)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"yvk-prod-feature-ico\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2C7 2 4 6 4 10c0 6 8 12 8 12s8-6 8-12c0-4-3-8-8-8z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"10\" r=\"2.5\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest-fit species\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLasius flavus\u003c\/em\u003e, small \u003cem\u003eFormica\u003c\/em\u003e spp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eHow to set up and maintain your 3D printed ant nest at home\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"yvk-prod-care\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-care-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2C7 2 4 6 4 10c0 6 8 12 8 12s8-6 8-12c0-4-3-8-8-8z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"10\" r=\"2.5\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003ePlace the nest in a quiet, low-traffic spot. \u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e queens in the claustral phase (the founding period before the first workers hatch, typically 4-8 weeks) do best with minimal vibration and no direct sunlight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-care-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2v6\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M8 6c0 6-4 8-4 12h16c0-4-4-6-4-12\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M8 18h8\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003eMaintain humidity by placing a small damp cotton ball or a moist piece of tissue near one entrance port. Target 55-70% relative humidity inside the chamber. Re-moisten every 3-5 days, not daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-care-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"4\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2v3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 19v3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M2 12h3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M19 12h3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M5 5l2 2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M17 17l2 2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M5 19l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M17 7l2-2\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003eKeep ambient temperature between 20-26 C (68-79 F) for most small temperate species. Avoid placing the nest near a radiator or on a cold windowsill in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-care-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 12c0-3 2-5 5-5h8c3 0 5 2 5 5v3H3v-3z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M6 15v3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 15v3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M18 15v3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003eClean the exterior with a dry or barely damp cloth. Do not submerge in water. PLA can warp under sustained heat above 60 C (140 F), so skip boiling or dishwasher sterilization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"yvk-prod-care-item\"\u003e\n\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 2 4 6v6c0 5 4 9 8 10 4-1 8-5 8-10V6l-8-4z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"9 12 11 14 15 10\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003eOnce your colony reaches 50-100 workers, plan a move to a larger formicarium. This nest is a founding chamber, not a long-term home. Connecting it to an outworld or a modular nest extension keeps the colony comfortable as it grows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eWho this small ant farm nest is actually built for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-sociomatch\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis nest fits you if you just caught your first queen during nuptial flight season, or if you are buying a first setup for a teenager who has been watching ant-keeping videos for three months straight (yes, we know the feeling). It also works well as a secondary founding chamber if you are an experienced keeper running multiple colonies and want a cheap, reliable option for overflow queens. The compact format pairs naturally with a modular formicarium setup once the colony outgrows the founding stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot the right pick if: you already have a colony of 200+ workers, you keep large species like \u003cem\u003eCamponotus pennsylvanicus\u003c\/em\u003e (the black carpenter ant), or you want a display nest with viewing panels. For those needs, check out our acrylic ant nest range, which gives you full visibility and room for a growing colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eBeginner ant farm nest: questions buyers ask before ordering\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs this nest the right size for my queen species?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003eAt 6.9 x 6.9 x 2.8 cm, this chamber suits small to medium temperate species in the founding stage: \u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e (black garden ant), \u003cem\u003eLasius flavus\u003c\/em\u003e (yellow meadow ant), small \u003cem\u003eFormica\u003c\/em\u003e species, and similar. It is not sized for large species like \u003cem\u003eCamponotus\u003c\/em\u003e (carpenter ants) or any exotic species that require deeper or wider galleries. If you are unsure about your species, check our species and nest size guide before ordering.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow long does shipping take, and does it ship to the US?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003eYes, this nest ships worldwide including the US. Delivery times vary by destination: typically 7-20 business days for international orders. Tracking information is provided once your order ships. If you need the nest urgently before nuptial flight season peaks, order at least 3 weeks ahead to be safe.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWill PLA hold up long-term in a humid ant nest environment?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003ePLA handles the 50-70% humidity range that small temperate ant species need without warping or degrading under normal conditions. The one thing to avoid is sustained heat above 60 C (140 F), which means no boiling for sterilization. For routine cleaning, a dry cloth is all you need. Under normal ant-keeping conditions, a PLA nest like this lasts through multiple founding cycles.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow is this different from a test tube setup or a plaster nest?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003eA test tube setup is the cheapest possible founding option and works fine, but it gives you zero visibility into chamber structure and can be awkward to connect to an outworld later. A plaster nest holds humidity passively through the walls, which is great for larger colonies but overkill for a single founding queen. This 3D printed nest sits between the two: more structured than a test tube, easier to source and replace than a hand-poured plaster nest, and at $14.95 it is a low-stakes first purchase if you are still figuring out the hobby.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"Product\",\"name\":\"3D Printed Ant Farm Nest for Beginner Ant Keepers - Small Ant Species\",\"image\":[\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1054\/9618\/3126\/files\/cro-packshot-373ca440.webp?v=1787772321\",\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1054\/9618\/3126\/files\/cro-benefits-c4b46be7.webp?v=1787772326\",\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1054\/9618\/3126\/files\/cro-lifestyle-dd68272e.webp?v=1787772339\"],\"description\":\"A compact 3D printed ant farm nest made from PLA with no high-concern chemicals. Sized at 6.9 x 6.9 x 2.8 cm for founding queens of small temperate species like Lasius niger and Formica. 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It is not sized for large species like Camponotus (carpenter ants) or any exotic species that require deeper or wider galleries.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does shipping take, and does it ship to the US?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, this nest ships worldwide including the US. Delivery times vary by destination: typically 7-20 business days for international orders. Tracking information is provided once your order ships.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Will PLA hold up long-term in a humid ant nest environment?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"PLA handles the 50-70% humidity range that small temperate ant species need without warping or degrading under normal conditions. The one thing to avoid is sustained heat above 60 C (140 F). Under normal ant-keeping conditions, a PLA nest like this lasts through multiple founding cycles.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How is this different from a test tube setup or a plaster nest?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A test tube setup is the cheapest possible founding option but gives zero visibility into chamber structure. A plaster nest holds humidity passively through the walls, which is overkill for a single founding queen. 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