{"product_id":"3d-printed-pla-ant-nest","title":"3D-Printed PLA Ant Nest - Acrylic Queen Formicarium","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e.yvk-prod{font-size:16px;line-height:1.65;color:#1f1610;font-family:inherit;max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 16px}.yvk-prod *{box-sizing:border-box}.yvk-prod p{margin:0 0 14px}.yvk-prod-hook{font-size:17px;line-height:1.7;margin:0 0 22px;color:#1f1610}.yvk-prod-trust{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0 0 36px}.yvk-prod-trust-item{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;background:#fefcf8;border:1px solid #e7ddd0;border-radius:8px;padding:10px 16px;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;color:#1f1610;flex:1 1 160px}.yvk-prod-trust svg{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;flex-shrink:0;color:#a84c42}.yvk-prod-story{margin:0 0 40px}.yvk-prod-story p{margin:0 0 16px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7}.yvk-prod-h2{font-size:28px;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:3px;background:#a84c42;margin-bottom:14px;border-radius:2px}.yvk-prod-benefits-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);gap:16px;margin:0 0 8px}.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;justify-content:flex-start}.yvk-prod-benefit-icon svg{color:#a84c42;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;flex-shrink:0}.yvk-prod-benefit h3{font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:#1f1610;margin:0;line-height:1.3}.yvk-prod-benefit p{font-size:15px;color:#3a2e28;margin:0;line-height:1.6}.yvk-prod-features{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:0 0 8px;font-size:15px}.yvk-prod-features tr{border-bottom:1px solid #e7ddd0}.yvk-prod-features tr:last-child{border-bottom:none}.yvk-prod-features td{padding:12px 10px;vertical-align:middle;overflow-wrap:anywhere;word-break:break-word}.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 .feat-label{font-weight:600;color:#1f1610;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:16px;width:160px}.yvk-prod-features .feat-val{color:#3a2e28}.yvk-prod-care{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0 0 8px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}.yvk-prod-care-item{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;background:#fefcf8;border:1px solid #e7ddd0;border-radius:8px;padding:14px 16px;font-size:15px;color:#1f1610;line-height:1.6}.yvk-prod-care svg{color:#a84c42;opacity:.85;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:2px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle}.yvk-prod-sociomatch{background:#fefcf8;border-left:3px solid #a84c42;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:18px 20px;margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#1f1610}.yvk-prod-faq-wrap{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;margin:0 0 8px}.yvk-prod-faq{background:#fefcf8;border:1px solid #e7ddd0;border-left:3px solid #a84c42;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;overflow:hidden}.yvk-prod-faq summary{padding:16px 20px;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;color:#1f1610;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:12px;transition:background .18s}.yvk-prod-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.yvk-prod-faq summary::after{content:'';display:inline-block;width:16px;height:16px;border-right:2px solid #a84c42;border-bottom:2px solid #a84c42;transform:rotate(45deg);transition:transform .22s;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:-4px}.yvk-prod-faq[open] summary::after{transform:rotate(-135deg);margin-top:4px}.yvk-prod-faq summary:hover{background:#f5ede6}.yvk-prod-faq-answer{padding:0 20px 18px;font-size:15px;color:#3a2e28;line-height:1.65;border-top:1px solid #e7ddd0;padding-top:14px}@media(max-width:640px){.yvk-prod-benefits-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}.yvk-prod-h2{font-size:24px}.yvk-prod-trust-item{flex:1 1 100%}.yvk-prod-features{display:block;overflow-x:auto}.yvk-prod-features table{min-width:360px}}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n.yvk-prod{font-size:max(16px,1em)}\n.yvk-prod table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse}\n.yvk-prod td,.yvk-prod th{white-space:normal!important;overflow-wrap:anywhere}\n.yvk-prod-features-wrap{overflow-x:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;max-width:100%}\n.yvk-prod img,.yvk-prod svg{max-width:100%}\n@media(max-width:640px){\n.yvk-prod-benefits-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr!important}\n.yvk-prod-trust{display:flex!important;flex-direction:column!important;align-items:center!important;text-align:center;gap:10px}\n.yvk-prod-trust\u003e*{width:100%;max-width:360px;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important}\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"yvk-prod-hook\"\u003eYour first queen just sealed her founding chamber, and the last thing she needs is a nest that dries out overnight. The \u003cstrong\u003e3D-printed PLA ant nest\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps humidity exactly where a founding queen wants it, while the clear acrylic lid lets you watch every egg, larva, and pupa without cracking the setup open.\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\u003eNon-toxic PLA, ant-safe\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=\"M12 7v5l3 3\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShips ready to use\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\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\u003cspan\u003eComplete nest set included\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"yvk-prod-story\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've killed more founding queens than I care to admit, mostly because I trusted cheap acrylic test-tube setups that turned into tiny deserts within a week. When I switched to a nest that combines a 3D-printed PLA body with a passive humid water supply, my Lasius niger (the common black garden ant, a perfect beginner species) founding success rate jumped noticeably. The PLA walls wick just enough moisture from the reservoir to keep the brood chamber at the right humidity without pooling water that drowns eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EXOPETO formicarium is built around that same principle. The PLA body is printed at high precision, so the chamber walls are smooth and tight, no rough edges that stress small queens. The transparent acrylic cover sits flush, giving you a clean observation window without light leaks that would send a founding queen into a panic. At 100 x 80 x 38 mm per chamber, it fits small to medium species comfortably: think Lasius, Formica, Temnothorax, or a young Messor barbarus (the seed-harvesting ant common in southern Europe and parts of the US Southwest) colony in its first season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe detachable layered dividers are the part I wish I had years ago. You start small, one chamber for a new queen and her first brood, then open another section as the colony grows. No need to buy a new nest every six months. That modular logic is exactly how a well-designed ant formicarium should work, and it is rare to find it at this price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eWhy this 3D-printed PLA ant nest outperforms basic acrylic setups\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\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\/span\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePassive humid water supply that actually holds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated reservoir feeds moisture through the PLA walls steadily, so your founding chamber stays at the 60-70% relative humidity most small ant species need, without daily refills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/article\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\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\/span\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eModular chambers that grow with your ant colony\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetachable dividers let you open one section at a time, matching nest space to colony size so workers never feel lost in an oversized formicarium during the critical founding stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/article\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\u003crect x=\"3\" y=\"4\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" rx=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 9h18\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M9 4v5\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClear acrylic lid for stress-free queen observation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flush-fitting transparent cover gives you a full view of brood development without opening the nest, keeping disturbance near zero during the fragile claustral founding phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/article\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\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\n\u003ch3\u003eNon-toxic, odorless PLA that ant queens tolerate immediately\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-precision PLA carries no chemical off-gassing, so a newly caught queen can be introduced the same day without an acclimatization wait that risks losing her brood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/article\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eQueen ant formicarium: full specifications and materials\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"yvk-prod-features\"\u003e\n\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 class=\"feat-label\"\u003eChamber dimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003e100 x 80 x 38 mm per single nest chamber (1-3 mm manufacturing tolerance)\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 3v18\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-label\"\u003eBody material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003eHigh-precision 3D-printed PLA (polylactic acid), non-toxic, odorless\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=\"4\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" rx=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 9h18\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-label\"\u003eCover material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003eTransparent acrylic (PMMA), flush-fitting observation lid\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 class=\"feat-label\"\u003eChamber layout\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003eMulti-compartment with detachable layered dividers, expandable as colony grows\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 class=\"feat-label\"\u003eHumidity system\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003ePassive humid water supply integrated into PLA body\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 class=\"feat-label\"\u003eBox contents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003e1 x complete ant farm nest set (ants not included)\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=\"9\" cy=\"7\" r=\"4\"\u003e\u003c\/circle\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M3 21v-2a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h4\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M16 11l2 2 4-4\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-label\"\u003eSuitable species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"feat-val\"\u003eSmall to medium ant species: Lasius, Formica, Temnothorax, young Messor colonies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eSetting up and maintaining your 3D-printed PLA ant formicarium\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\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFill the water reservoir with distilled or dechlorinated water before introducing any ants. Tap water with chlorine can irritate founding queens. Top it up every 5-10 days depending on ambient temperature.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\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\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\u003cspan\u003eStart with only one chamber open. Slide the divider to expose a second section only once the first chamber is at least 50% occupied by workers and brood. Oversized space during founding stresses the queen.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\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\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep the formicarium out of direct sunlight. PLA tolerates normal room temperatures (18-28 C \/ 64-82 F) well, but prolonged heat above 30 C (86 F) can warp the body. A shaded shelf or a keeper's cabinet works perfectly.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\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\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClean the acrylic cover with a damp cloth only. Avoid alcohol-based cleaners or acetone, which cloud acrylic and can leave residue harmful to ants. A dry microfiber cloth removes condensation without scratching.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\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\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you keep a hibernating species like Lasius niger, move the entire formicarium to a cool space (4-10 C \/ 39-50 F) for the winter months. The PLA body handles cold without cracking, and the sealed design prevents the reservoir from evaporating too fast during dormancy.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eWho this queen ant farm breeding box is actually built for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-sociomatch\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis formicarium is the right first nest for anyone who just caught their first queen during nuptial flight season and wants a setup that handles humidity automatically, without babysitting a cotton-plug test tube every other day. It also works well for experienced keepers running multiple colonies who need a reliable, low-maintenance founding unit for common species like Lasius niger or Formica fusca.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not the right pick if you are keeping large Camponotus (carpenter ant) colonies with hundreds of workers, or exotic species that need very specific microhabitats. For those, check out our large-colony formicarium options with bigger chamber volumes and custom ventilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"yvk-prod-h2\"\u003eBuying a queen ant formicarium: honest answers to common questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat ant species fit this formicarium, and is it too small for a growing colony?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003eAt 100 x 80 x 38 mm per chamber, this nest suits small to medium species comfortably through their founding and early growth stages. Lasius niger, Formica species, Temnothorax, and young Messor barbarus (the seed-harvesting ant) colonies all work well here. Once a Lasius colony reaches 200-300 workers, you will want to connect an outworld or transition to a larger nest. The modular dividers buy you extra time before that upgrade.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow long does shipping take, and does the nest arrive ready to use?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003eThe nest ships as a complete set and arrives ready to fill and use. No assembly beyond sliding the dividers into position. Delivery times vary by destination; check your cart for the estimated window. The formicarium is packed securely to prevent the acrylic cover from cracking in transit.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWill the PLA body warp or degrade over time with constant moisture?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003ePLA is moisture-resistant at the humidity levels a founding chamber requires (50-75% relative humidity). The body will not warp under normal indoor use. The one condition to avoid is sustained heat above 30 C (86 F), which softens PLA over time. Keep it at room temperature and out of direct sun, and the structure stays solid for years of continuous use.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"yvk-prod-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow is this different from a plain acrylic ant farm or a test-tube setup?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yvk-prod-faq-answer\"\u003eA plain acrylic ant farm has no built-in humidity control, so you are manually misting or replacing cotton plugs constantly. A test tube works for the first few weeks but offers no expansion path. This \u003cstrong\u003e3D-printed PLA ant nest with humid water supply\u003c\/strong\u003e combines passive moisture regulation, a clear observation window, and modular chambers in one unit, so you are not buying three separate pieces of gear to do what this does on its own.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ma boutique","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55088329392470,"sku":"\u003cnone\u003e","price":34.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1054\/9618\/3126\/files\/cro-packshot-fc0a6971.webp?v=1788193354","url":"https:\/\/theformicarium.com\/products\/3d-printed-pla-ant-nest","provider":"The Formicarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}