{"product_id":"lasius-niger-common-black-garden-ant","title":"Lasius Niger (Common Black Garden Ant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e (Common Black Garden Ant)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCommon Black Garden Ant\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e) is a small, slender, and highly active ant species that’s ideal for beginner ant keepers. Known for forming large colonies, this species is often discovered beneath paving slabs in gardens and parks, hence the common name, \u003cstrong\u003eGarden Ant. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for Beginners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to care for and fascinating to observe\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidespread:\u003c\/strong\u003e Common across urban and rural areas throughout the UK and Europe\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFast recruitment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Efficient communication and teamwork help them quickly gather food and resources\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarmless \u0026amp; docile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-aggressive and safe to handle in contained environments\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the UK, \u003cem\u003eLasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the most commonly seen ants, especially around sweet foods left outdoors. Their colonies can rapidly mobilise hundreds of workers to collect food or capture small prey, making them an excellent species for observing cooperative behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, these ants typically nest:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003eUnder stones and paving slabs\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003eIn crevices of sunlit, south-facing walls\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\t\u003cli\u003e\t\u003cp\u003eAround low-lying shrubs and plants\u003c\/p\u003e\t\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey are particularly successful in urban environments, adapting well to man-made structures and disturbed ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn captivity\u003cem\u003e, Lasius niger\u003c\/em\u003e colonies grow steadily, especially after reaching around 20 workers. While active throughout the year, they benefit from a \u003cstrong\u003ehibernation period between December and March\u003c\/strong\u003e, which mirrors their natural cycle and supports long-term colony health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDue to their docile nature, small size, and resilience, they remain one of the most popular choices for new ant keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is illegal and strongly discouraged to release any non-native or captive ant species into the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AntsHQ","offers":[{"title":"1 queen \u0026 brood","offer_id":64148563657053,"sku":null,"price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 queen |1-3 workers \u0026 brood","offer_id":64148563689821,"sku":null,"price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 queen | 6-10 workers \u0026 brood","offer_id":64148563722589,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 queen | 12-20 workers \u0026 brood","offer_id":64148563755357,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 queen |30-40 workers \u0026 brood","offer_id":64148563788125,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 queen |80-100 workers \u0026 brood","offer_id":64148563820893,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1058\/4109\/9101\/files\/Lasiusniger1.webp?v=1775931340","url":"https:\/\/www.antshq.co.uk\/products\/lasius-niger-common-black-garden-ant","provider":"Ants HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}