Ant farm ants...

[Matttoadman]

I got a good friend wanting to start a colony for his sons ant farm. Any tips on collecting? Preferred species to search for? Place that sells queens even?

 

[Hisserdude]

If you want queens of any species, you are gonna have to catch them yourself. It is illegal to sell queen ants, or any stage that can reproduce. Most species are considered pests and the government does not want any species spreading their range.

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Try peeling back the bark on dead logs and you might find young colonies, even if it's cold. For the most part species doesn't matter, just choose whatever you like the look of. Formica and camponotus sp. are large and easy to observe.

 

[Matttoadman]

Thanks, I can usually find clusters of ants one the large flat rocks we use around my flower beds. Mostly pavement and odorous house ants.

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Yeah but you don't usually find the queen that way in my experience.

 

[specimen24-6]

Take a look at formiculture.com, this site is full of information about collecting and keeping ants.

 

[Roach collector]

Look on antscanada.com they have everything you need to start a culture and get queens.