{"title":"Frequent Essentials","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEveryday essentials used by everyone in the Ant Keeping hobby.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ant-keeping-tweezers","title":"Ant Keeping Tweezers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrecision metal tweezers for controlled ant husbandry tasks. Ideal for feeding, nest maintenance, moving debris, or handling dead insects without disturbing the colony. Fine tips allow accurate placement inside test tubes and formicaria while keeping hands well clear. Essential for correct ant keeping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56400787702104,"sku":null,"price":1.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/IMG_2512.heic?v=1767355475"},{"product_id":"ant-keeping-tweezers-copy","title":"2pc Ant Feeding\/Hydration Pipettes","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eReusable plastic pipette for precise liquid feeding and nest maintenance. Perfect for delivering sugar water, honey, or hydration directly to nests without flooding or spillage. Also useful for controlled cleaning and moisture management in test tubes and formicaria. Essential for everyday ant care.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e Do not use the same pipette for hydration and feeding, this will encourage mould within the nest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56400787865944,"sku":null,"price":1.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/IMG_2513.heic?v=1767355475"},{"product_id":"2pc-ant-feeding-hydration-pipettes-copy","title":"2.5ml Ant Escape Barrier (Fluon PTFE)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNon-toxic anti-escape liquid used to create a slick barrier ants cannot climb. Applied as a thin band around the inside edges of tubs, outworlds, and containers to keep colonies securely contained. Long-lasting, highly effective, and a standard essential for safe ant keeping setups. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.5ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56400803299672,"sku":null,"price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/IMG_6682.jpg?v=1767355477"},{"product_id":"2pc-ant-feeding-hydration-pipettes-copy-1","title":"5pc Cotton Wool","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClean, lint-free cotton wool for test tube setups and water reservoirs. Used to safely contain water, block entrances, and maintain proper humidity without mould or contamination. Essential for founding colonies and routine ant keeping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56400846291288,"sku":null,"price":1.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/IMG_2539.heic?v=1767355474"},{"product_id":"5pc-borosilicate","title":"5pc Borosilicate Test Tubes","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorosilicate glass test tubes ideal for founding queens, small colonies, and temporary housing in ant-keeping setups. \u003c\/span\u003eMade from laboratory-grade borosilicate glass, they are significantly stronger and more temperature-stable than standard soda-lime glass. That means better resistance to cracking, safer heating or cleaning, and longer service life in active ant setups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12mm x 200mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56638625841496,"sku":null,"price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/40B09900-F33A-4D39-BDDB-958470B101E9.jpg?v=1769801703"},{"product_id":"tetramorium-caespitum-pavement-ant","title":"Myrmica rubra Colony (Queen ant with 10-20 workers)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis red ant, native to the UK and much of Northern Europe, is a popular choice for beginners. Known for its aggressive behavior when provoked, it is equipped with a stinger and will readily use it on both prey and predators. These ants are also excellent diggers, creating intricate tunnel systems in their nests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e The sting’s pain is often compared to that of a stinging nettle, with discomfort typically lasting between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your body’s reaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This species is hardy and adaptable, thriving in temperatures ranging from 16°C to 25°C. However, as they are commonly found in damp environments  such as near peat bogs, meadows by rivers, or inside decaying logs - they do best with a humidity level of 60-70%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Myrmica rubra is a non-polymorphic species, meaning all workers are usually the same size. However, they are highly polygynous, meaning that colonies contain multiple queens. Field studies have found mature nests containing anywhere from 30 to 40 queens, though the average number is between 5,000 and 10,000 workers. Unlike many other ant species, the queen of this species isn't significantly larger but can be identified by a more prominent thorax and a slightly larger, often darker gaster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e For feeding, this ant species enjoys a wide range of insects, such as mealworms, crickets, and roaches, as well as sugary substances like fruits or nectar\/sugar\/honey water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Overall, it’s an easy-to-care-for, active, and colorful species that’s great for both beginners and amateur enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56986598277464,"sku":null,"price":27.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/0A786048-8BA0-4EC5-BFBE-5F0D06964579.jpg?v=1779701893"},{"product_id":"pheidole-megacephala-colony-queen-ant-with-30-50-workers","title":"Pheidole megacephala Colony (Queen ant with 30-50 workers)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Big-Headed Ant, is a fascinating and highly active species known for its impressive levels of aggression and complex colony structure. Characterised by its distinct polymorphism, this species features a dramatic size difference between its worker ants and the large, formidable soldier ants. The soldier ants possess notably large heads and powerful mandibles, making them a formidable force for defending the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eP\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eheidole megacephala\u003c\/em\u003e colonies are also known for their impressive social organisation, often creating multiple satellite nests in a single area. This behavior, which involves large numbers of workers and brood, serves as a survival strategy, enhancing the colony’s resilience in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This species is polygynous, meaning that more than one queen can be found in these nests,  moreover, their inbreeding nature makes them a highly prolific species of ant with aggressive growth levels. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e In terms of care,\u003cem\u003e Pheidole megacephala\u003c\/em\u003e are relatively straightforward to maintain and should be kept between 24-28C with a humidity level of 50-60%. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiki Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57357839761752,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/4667\/4520\/files\/6B7A028F-C965-4FF7-B5FF-F38834D86328.jpg?v=1779701911"}],"url":"https:\/\/tikiants.com\/collections\/frequent-essentials.oembed","provider":"Tiki Ants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}