The TrapJaw Labs Shop

Name: Pheidole metallescens
Brand: TrapJaw Labs
SKU: TJL-COL-067
Price: 49.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

High-quality Ant Nests, Colonies, and Ant-Accessories for every level of ant-keeper.

All Products Colonies Ant Nests Accessories

Not sure where to start?

Let us guide you to the perfect setup, whether it's a gift, a hobby, or a classroom project.

Gift for a Young Explorer

Perfect starter kits, curated for kids and teens.

School or Research Program

Bulk options, curriculum kits, and lab supplies.

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Colonies

46 products

Live ant colonies, from beginner-friendly species, to rare for advanced keepers. We have a wide selection of queen ants, in their colonies, for sale.

View all 46

Beginner

Live Colony

Shipping Permitted

Beginner

Western Harvester Ants Pogonomyrmex occidentalis is an iconic mound-building harvester of the Great Plains and Intermountain West, ranging from the western Dakotas and Nebraska south through Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico and west into Utah, Nevada, and east-central California, holding to higher-elevation grassland, sagebrush, and pinyon-juniper clearings rather than true desert. Colonies raise a conical mound up to 135 cm across and shingle it with gravel carried in from the surrounding surface, substituting freely where gravel is scarce: gypsum, selenite, lignite, petrified wood, snail shells, and, in North Dakota, the teeth of small extinct mammals (Wheeler and Wheeler 1963).

🪹 Mound-Builder🌗 Diurnal🍽 Granivore+8

$34.99

Queen + workers included

Beginner

Live Colony

Shipping Permitted

Beginner

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Northern Fungus-farming Ants Trachymyrmex septentrionalis has the widest distribution of any fungus-farming ant in the United States, ranging from Texas and Florida up through central Illinois, southern Ohio, and Long Island, always on sandy, open, lightly shaded ground, and it marks its nests with a crescent of excavated soil that turns conspicuous during the spring and fall digging. Colonies at the two ends of that range keep entirely different calendars: New York and New Jersey populations are active only from early May to September and let the fungus garden go dormant through the winter, while Florida colonies work straight through, foraging on any day that clears about 18°C (Weber 1972). Workers are monomorphic and colonies monogyne, with adults farming gathered plant detritus rather than cut leaves; in north Florida sandhills they reach better than a thousand nests to the hectare, and the largest and most productive sit in open treeless ground rather than under canopy (Seal and Tschinkel 2006).

Estimated Availability

October 21, 2026

🌗 Diurnal🌗 Nocturnal🌗 Crepuscular+11

$99.99

Queen + workers included

Beginner

Live Colony

Shipping Permitted

Beginner

Pheidole bicarinata

Variable Big-headed Ants Pheidole bicarinata is a small, strongly dimorphic ant distributed across much of the United States, from New Jersey south to northern Florida and westward through Nebraska, Colorado, and Texas to Utah and Nevada, with a preference for open sandy sites at the moister end of the xeric spectrum, grasslands, arid valley bottoms, and ruderal habitats including lawns and road shoulders. Colonies are small, often just a few hundred to few thousand workers, nesting under ground-covering objects, in rotten downed wood, or in open soil beneath a small crater that is typically incomplete and crescent- or wedge-shaped.

Estimated Availability

November 1, 2026

🌗 Diurnal🌗 Crepuscular🍽 Granivore+10

$29.99

Queen + workers included

Beginner

Live Colony

Shipping Permitted

Beginner

Solenopsis carolinensis

Carolina Thief Ants Solenopsis carolinensis is a thief ant of the molesta complex, described by Forel from Faisons, North Carolina, and recorded spottily from New Jersey and Maryland south through the Carolinas and west into Arkansas and Texas, most of it by accident: berlese samples of hardwood leaf litter, stumps and bark on dead trees, the nests of other ants and of termites, a black light in July. Workers run 1.3 to 1.5 mm, usually concolorous yellow and sometimes brown, the eye reduced to three to five ommatidia, against queens of about 4.1 mm carrying large black eyes and darkly pigmented ocelli; colonies are polygyne.

Estimated Availability

November 1, 2026

🌗 Nocturnal🍽 Omnivore🍽 Trophobiont+11

$29.99

Queen + workers included

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Ant Nests

3 products

Your one-stop-shop for ant nests/formicaria/ant farms.

habitats

The Substratum

TrapJaw's Substratum™ Nest Natural excavation. Engineered control. Most formicaria offer either a natural digging environment or a clear, manageable view of the colony. Substratum was designed to provide both. Your ants excavate their own tunnels and chambers inside a professionally developed substrate-based system, built around the way ants live in the wild. Foraging Area Included Engineered Sandy Substrate Regional Watering Ports Four Spacer Choices Standing or Shelf Configuration Spacers Choose from four widths or follow the recommendation for your selected species. The spacer sets how much depth the ants have to dig. A thinner spacer improves visibility, but that means that they are more restricted in nest construction and overall capacity. Ultimately, the choice is yours! Engineered Substrate After nearly two years of testing, we’ve settled on the perfect mix. Our substrate has improved structural properties, retains moisture, and stays off the panel so you have an unrivaled view into the ants’ underground world. Regional Watering & Humidity Control Four regional watering ports let you create moist and dry areas throughout the nest, allowing the colony to choose the conditions they need for different types of chambers. For example, you can watch as your harvester ants store their seeds in a dry granary, while lower chambers are reserved for moisture-loving eggs and larvae. PVA sponges provide humidity into the lower chambers, where the queen is likely to settle in. Versatility Substratum may be configured to stand upright on the included legs, or mounted to a shelf with the included 3M velcro dots for an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, a separate nest module can be purchased for a double-nest configuration on a single foraging area. The nest ships with 3/8" and 1/2" AntDock ports and a 16mm TubeDock, so the setup can grow with the colony. Run vinyl tubing out to another foraging area, place a standard 16x150mm test tube straight into the foraging area, or close a port off entirely with the included AntDock blocker. Approximate Dimensions Nest: 5.75" long, 7.75" tall, variable width Included Medium Foraging Area: 8" long, 6" wide, ~4.5" tall Assembled (standing): 9.5" long, 6" wide, 11" tall What’s in the box 1× Nest w/ Insert 1× Medium Foraging Area 1× Legs (Standing Configuration) 2× 3M Velcro Dots (Shelf Configuration) 1× Bag of Substrate 1× Plastic Funnel 2× Heating Cable Clips • Hex Wrench & Foraging Area Attachment Screws • 3/8" & 1/2" AntDock Ports 1× AntDock Blocker 1× 16mm TubeDock 1× Syringe with Blunt-Tip Needle 1× Instruction Card Recommended accessories Liquid Feeder or Test Tube Required Your ants need fresh drinking water in the foraging area. Fluon Escape Barrier Optional Extra insurance against escapes while you work in the foraging area. Heating Cable Optional Some species grow faster with supplemental heat. Clips are in the box.

$119.99

habitats

Foraging Area

TrapJaw’s Foraging Areas Everything your colony does outside the nest happens here. Made in-house from premium acrylic, each foraging area attaches to a TJL nest or works as an outworld for a test tube setup. Available in four sizes (or contact us for a custom order): Scratch-Resistant Acrylic Frosted Barrier Rim Ventilated Magnetic Lid AntDock Port Connections Four Size Choices Durable Cast Acrylic Every panel is cut from premium cast acrylic, so the view stays clear through years of feeding, cleaning and rearranging. Unlike extruded or injection-molded models available elsewhere, our foraging areas are designed to maintain their aesthetic and functional value for years to come. They are scratch-resistant and clearer than glass! Sizes and ports Every size shares the same rim, lid and port hardware. Small (6"L x 4"W x 4"H) 1 AntDock Port Medium (8"L x 6"W x 4"H) 2 AntDock Ports Large (10"L x 8"W x 5"H) 4 AntDock Ports Extra Tall (10"L x 8"W x 10"H) 4 AntDock Ports Frosted Barrier Rim An acrylic rim runs around the top of the foraging area, giving a Fluon or oil barrier an upside-down, super smooth surface for superior escape prevention. Taking lessons learned from our work as museum exhibit designers, we’ve implemented frosted acrylic to obscure the barrier to improve display aesthetics without affecting use. Ventilated Magnetic Lid A rigid lid attaches with magnets and provides ventilation through our flexible stainless steel mesh vents. These vents can be removed to increase airflow, as long as an effective escape barrier has been applied. Ports & Connections Each foraging area comes equipped with one to four ports depending on size, with 3/8" and 1/2" AntDock connectors included for use with vinyl tubing. Run tubing out to a nest or a second foraging area, place a standard 16x150mm test tube straight into the foraging area, or close a port off entirely with an AntDock blocker. Nest pairing We generally recommend pairing a nest with its same-sized foraging area. Substratum Sand Ant Nest Ships with a Medium Foraging Area Small (2"x4") & Medium (4"x6") Arboreal Nests Compatible with all TJL Foraging Areas Large (8"x8") Arboreal Nests Compatible with Medium and Large Foraging Areas What’s in the box 1× Foraging Area 1× Ventilated Magnetic Lid 1× Hex Wrench • 3/8" & 1/2" AntDock Ports • AntDock Blockers Recommended accessories Fluon Escape Barrier Optional The frosted rim is made for it! Liquid Feeder or Test Tube Optional Your ants need fresh drinking water in the foraging area. Vinyl Tubing Optional Connects the foraging area to a nest or to another foraging area.

$29.99

habitats

The Canopy

TrapJaw’s Arboreal Nest Provides a unique opportunity to display cavity-nesting and arboreal ants. Designed for species that have lower humidity requirements and benefit from verticality, these nests provide modular setup options: Wood and Acrylic Inserts Optional Humidity Supply Adjustable Ventilation System Upright or Hanging Configuration Pre-Assembled Spacers Small (4.5mm) and large (9.5mm) spacer sizes allow you to choose the right option for your ant species. Size and pairing We generally recommend pairing a nest with its same-sized foraging area. Small (2"x4") & Medium (4"x6") Nests Compatible with all TJL Foraging Areas Large (8"x8") Nests Compatible with Medium and Large Foraging Areas Real Wood Each nest comes assembled with an oak wood insert that can be switched out with an included white acrylic insert before moving ants inside. More insert styles are coming soon. Humidity & Hydration Specialty PVA sponges supply optional humidity into the chambers. Arboreal Nests must be used in combination with fresh drinking water supplied in the foraging area. Please see the Compatible Species list above for the ant species we have evaluated for compatibility in our Arboreal Nests. Contact us for help ensuring proper formicarium selection for your ants. Adjustable Ventilation Thoughtfully-placed ventilation holes allow the keeper to increase or reduce airflow into the nest. During setup, simply flip the viewing plate over to exclude the ventilation holes and ensure higher humidity and improved security to prevent even the tiniest ants from escaping. Nests with large spacers come with ventilation holes exposed, and nests with small spacers are assembled with the holes excluded. Versatility Arboreal nests may be configured to stand upright with the foraging area or allowed to hang off the side of a shelf for an immersive viewing experience. What’s in the box 1× Assembled Arboreal Nest 1× Wood Insert 1× Acrylic Insert 1× Hex Wrench • Foraging Area Attachment Screws • Heating Cable Clips 1× Syringe with Blunt-Tip Needle 1× Instruction Card Recommended Accessories Foraging Area The nest attaches to it, and that’s where your ants forage. Required Liquid Feeder or Test Tube Your ants need fresh drinking water in the foraging area. Required Heating Cable Some species grow faster with supplemental heat. Optional

$29.99

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Accessories

18 products

All of the accessories your ants need to do their best.

View all 18

accessories

TubeDock

Four Hole Options Durable & Flexible Multipurpose Design TrapJaw's TubeDock™ System Our TubeDock™ adapters bring multipurpose functionality to the persistent problems of rolling test tubes and connecting them to other products. Made of durable and flexible material, TubeDocks snugly facilitate vinyl tubing + test tube connections. Choosing a Version All TubeDocks are compatible with 16mm test tubes. 1/8" (3mm) Hole Best For Tiny ants living in a 'tubs and tubes' setup. 1/4" (6mm) Hole Best For Small ants; connectivity with 1/4" OD tubing 3/8" (10mm) Hole Best For Most ants; connectivity with 3/8" OD tubing 1/2" (12.7mm) Hole Best For Large ants; connectivity with 1/2" OD tubing All TubeDocks may be used inside foraging areas to reduce tube openings. Elevated Stabilizer The flat bottom keeps test tubes from rolling, ensuring the safety of your queens and colonies. A slight angle helps to prevent flood risk, giving your ants higher ground in case of temperature swings. Perfect for tubes in drawers, along heating cables, and within Foraging Areas. Fit for Foraging Areas Use a TubeDock to provide ants with a smaller nest entrance. Reduces humidity loss and increases security within the living environment of a "tubs and tubes" setup. Connect to Formicaria TubeDocks are compatible with all TJL nests and foraging areas using flexible TJL vinyl tubing. Recommended Accessories 16x150mm Test Tubes The standard tube size across all TrapJaw gear. Every TubeDock is sized to fit them. Required Vinyl Tubing Connects a TubeDock to nests and foraging areas. Match the OD to your hole size. Optional Test Tube Sponges Holds a water reservoir in the tube and will not mold on its own, unlike cotton. Optional Foraging Areas Somewhere to feed outside the tube. A TubeDock narrows the entrance once inside. Optional

$3.99

accessories

Premium Seed Mix

Harvester Ant Blend Heat-Treated Seeds Pesticide-Free Sealable Vial and Mini-Spoon TrapJaw's Premium Seed Mix Harvester ants don't consume seeds when they find them. Instead, they strip the husk, chew the endosperm into a paste and pack the rest away in dry storage chambers called granaries. What you put in the foraging area ends up in the nest as stored food! This is our own rigorously-tested blend for granivorous ant species and packed in a sealable vial with a serving spoon: Seed Selection We have formulated this mix for harvester ants specifically. While we can't guarantee all harvester ants will take all of the various types of seeds in our mix, we are confident this is the best mix on the market. Heat Treatment Every batch is carefully heat-treated before the vial is sealed. That significantly reduces germination without damaging nutritional value. A humid granary chamber won't have tons of seeds sprouting -- but you might get some here and there. Ants are well-equipped to handle a few sprouts. Storage Keep the vial sealed and in the freezer, or at least somewhere cool and dry. Feeding Put a small amount out in the foraging area as needed. Harvester ants store what they don't use straight away, so once a week is usually enough (depending on colony size) for the genera below. Ants That Take Seed Pogonomyrmex 6 species The classic harvester. We keep P. badius , P. barbatus , P. californicus , P. maricopa , P. occidentalis and P. rugosus . Veromessor 2 species We keep V. andrei and V. pergandei . Both found semi-claustrally, so the queen has to be fed while she is founding. Novomessor 2 species We keep N. albisetosus and N. cockerelli . They will occasionally take seeds. Pheidole 17 species Seventeen of the Pheidole on our Care Advisor collect seeds, and ten of those are true granivores. Solenopsis 2 species We keep S. geminata , which builds expansive seed stores, and S. xyloni , which takes seed occasionally. Tetramorium 1 species We keep T. immigrans . It takes small seed when offered, though the colony does fine without it. Read the full harvester feeding guide → Seed, insects and sugar water for each genus, plus how much and how often. Not for human consumption or planting.

$9.99

accessories

Honeydew Honey

Honeydew, Not Nectar More Than Simple Sugars 50ml Vial and Spoon Included Honeydew Honey Imported from a specialty producer, where honeybees produce the honey from hemipteran honeydew rather than flower nectar. This honey contains many of the nutrients found in the diet of wild ants. Honeydew, Not Nectar Honeydew is the sugary fluid excreted by sap-feeding hemipterans: aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and treehoppers. Ants tend those insects in the wild, and it carries sugars and other nutrients that nectar and "sugar-water" do not, including oligosaccharides such as melezitose. Sugars and Symbionts Beyond sugar, honeydew carries other micronutrients. Early stage research indicates some of these may be important for the health of some ants' symbiotic gut microbes. How to prepare it Honeydew honey is thick out of the vial. Dilute it before offering it to your colony. Dilute Stir a small amount into equal parts warm water in the mixing vial until it runs freely off the spoon and is evenly mixed. Offer A drop on a feeding dish. Never put honey or honey-water in a liquid feeder. Refresh Remove whatever is not eaten within 6 hours. Store Cap the honey vial and keep it at room temperature or store it in the freezer for greater longevity. Be sure not to use hot water or a microwave to thaw honey. Honey-water mixture may be stored in the fridge for no more than 48 hours. Ships as 5ml of honeydew honey in a glass vial, with a mixing vial and stir spoon. Species Notes We advise that you don't feed honey to honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus spp.) due to the potential for fermentation within the repletes. Sugar water and organic apples are preferable.

$9.99

accessories

Fungus-Farmer Diet

Fungus-Farmer Diet Variety Of Plant Material TrapJaw Labs' Fungus-Farmer Diet Fungus-farming ants don't eat the "food" you give them. They carry it back to the nest, use it to cultivate a fungus garden, and it's that garden which feeds the colony. You aren't really feeding your ants, you're feeding their fungus! This is our own blend of plant materials for fungus-farming ant species, built around what we have found to work best for our fungus-farmers over the years. Cutting Optional Most fungus-farmers will cut soft plant material when they have to, but they prefer to scavange what is readily-available if possible. Small colonies especially prefer material they don't have to cut. Variety Colonies can become picky about foods that get used over and over, Acromyrmex and Atta in particular. A blend gives them several different materials to choose from instead of the same thing every week, preventing them from "growing tired" of what you're offering. Feeding Put a small amount out in the foraging area as needed. One of the benefits of this being a dried mix is that it lasts for a very long time in your ants' Foraging Area. Ants That Farm Fungus Trachymyrmex As Needed The northernmost fungus-farmer on Earth. We keep T. septentrionalis , which gathers plant detritus rather than cutting leaves. Acromyrmex As Needed We keep A. versicolor , the leafcutter of the Sonoran Desert. They are the most likely of the three to get picky about a repeated food. Atta As Needed A. texana is on our Care Advisor . Established colonies cut their own leaves, though a small one still takes material it doesn't have to. T. septentrionalis' Species Spotlight → What they forage in the wild, how the garden actually works, and the humidity that keeps it alive. Not for human consumption.

$11.99

accessories

Liquid Feeder

Two Capacity Options Refillable Glass Vial TrapJaw's Liquid Feeder Ants need a steady supply of liquids, but just a small drop can drown some ants. The TJL Liquid Feeder holds liquids in a glass vial, with small openings for the ants to drink from, to eliminate this problem. The Screen A protective stainless-steel screen sits embedded at the mouth of the vial. Workers drink through the mesh, between the openings on the base. For particularly small ants, this prevents them from getting trapped in the vial before its empty. Choosing a Version Bases are interchangeable between vial sizes. 2.3ml Vial Best For Founding and small colonies 4ml Vial Best For Developing and large colonies The 10 Feeder Bundle ships five of each, so you can keep both sizes on-hand. Refilling & Washing The glass vial screws into the base for refilling or washing. Placement The TJL Liquid Feeder is designed to sit on any flat surface. What's in the 10 Feeder Bundle 10× Feeder Base 10× Stainless Steel Screen 5× 2.3ml Glass Vial 5× 4ml Glass Vial

$2.99

accessories

Fluon Escape Barrier

PTFE-30 Dispersion Smooth Surfaces Only Foam Applicator Included Longer Life with Ventilation Fluon Escape Barrier A 5ml vial of liquid PTFE-30 dispersion, sold elsewhere as Fluon® or Insect-A-Slip. When used properly it dries as a smooth surface that ants cannot grip, so they harmlessly fall to the ground and remain contained. PTFE Dispersion Fluon is a solution of PTFE suspended in water. Many vendors additionally dilute their PTFE, we do not. This means our fluon remains useful for longer; all fluon mixtures degrade over time as the PTFE falls out of suspension. Full-strength fluon retains functionality on comparatively rough surfaces and lasts longer after applied. Smooth Surfaces Fluon needs a non-porous surface for application, which is why surfaces made of acrylic, glass and most plastics pair well. Porous or textured material soaks up the water and or deposits the PTFE too sparsely, providing microscopic footholds for the ants. Surface Compatibility Fluon dries into a layer on a material's surface. Compatible Surfaces Foraging Area's security rim Acrylic and glass Smooth surfaces Incompatible Surfaces Wood, cork, or anything porous Anything wet or oily Textured plastics Application Work on a clean, dry surface and smoothly spread a band around the top inside edge with the included foam applicator. Stand the container upside down on paper towel while it dries so the wet dispersion cannot run down the wall and pool at the bottom. If using a TJL Foraging Area, only apply the fluon to the underside of the security rim. How To Apply 1 Clean and dry Using a microfiber cloth, clean the application area and let it dry. Dust, finger oils, and other contaminants reduce the effectiveness of fluon. 2 Apply the fluon Along the TJL Foraging Area's security rim, using the included foam applicator. 3 Dry upside down Invert the container while it dries so the liquid cannot run down the wall, ruining the visibility and pooling at the bottom. 4 Let dry before adding the ants Let dry until fully opaque. Ventilation and Lifespan A well-ventilated foraging area keeps fluon working longer. High humidity (>70%RH) rapidly accelerates degradation and can allow ants to escape. Handling and Storage Gloves and eye protection Always wear gloves and eye protection while using fluon. Rotate every two weeks PTFE settles out of suspension over time. Slowly rotating the vial every two weeks reduces how quickly this happens. Do not shake Shaking whips air into the dispersion and clumps the particles. Store sealed and refrigerated A sealed vial reduces evaporation and prolongs shelf-life. For additional longevity, fluon should be refrigerated. Wear gloves and eye protection. Not for human consumption. Store sealed, refrigerated and rotate every two weeks. DO NOT SHAKE. PTFE is known to the State of California to cause Cancer - WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov MSDS for PTFE-30.

$9.99

accessories

Feeding Dish

All Food Types Reusable Dealing With Leftovers Feeding Dish A white, reusable dish that keeps food in one place in the foraging area, so any leftovers can be lifted straight back out. Lifting Leftovers Out Uneaten food is the most common source of mold or microbial growth, which is why we suggest feeding your ants atop something you can easily remove. Choosing A Size Small Feeding Dish 0.75" diameter Large Feeding Dish 1.5" diameter Both sizes are a similar white, reusable dish, and both are compatible with all food types.

$1.99

accessories

Test Tube Sponges

Higher Humidity Slower Moisture Loss Mold-Resistant Fits 16mm Test Tubes TrapJaw’s Test Tube Sponges Intended to replace the wet cotton in a traditional test tube setup. A PVA sponge maintains interior humidity closer to the conditions most soil-nesting species prefer. Higher Humidity We treat 90–100% relative humidity (RH) as the target for most soil-nesting species. The TJL sponge tube sat between 90–100% RH for all 53 days of our side-by-side trial against cotton . The cotton tube never reached higher than 86% RH. Fit and Setup Sized for standard 16x150mm glass test tubes. The TrapJaw Labs Difference Our sponges are produced in-house, and we use this control over the manufacturing process to bring PVA sponges to the next level. • Produced with precision to ensure a snug fit and reduce flood risk • Triple-washed and UV-sterilized for your ants’ health • Heat-treated and packaged

$4.99

The TrapJaw Labs Shop

Not sure where to start?

Gift for a Young Explorer

Starting My Own Colony

School or Research Program

Colonies

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Solenopsis carolinensis

Ant Nests

The Substratum

Foraging Area

The Canopy

Accessories

TubeDock

Premium Seed Mix

Honeydew Honey

Fungus-Farmer Diet

Liquid Feeder

Fluon Escape Barrier

Feeding Dish

Test Tube Sponges

Pheidole metallescens

Pheidole metallescens

Species facts

Housing that fits this species

Where we can ship it