ANTMART Honeycomb White, Variant B is a 200×200 mm ant farm with gypsum covering the entire residential area. The light-colored PETG body emphasizes the honeycomb chamber pattern and makes occupancy easy to observe. This version is intended for moisture-loving ants, including tropical species that require humidification across the main nesting space.

A full-area gypsum base

The residential block is lined with a 6 mm layer of G23 medical gypsum. It covers all of the chambers, stores water, and gradually transfers moisture into the nesting area. Unlike a partially lined version, this configuration does not provide a large, separate dry section. It is designed for colonies whose nesting requirements are predominantly humid.

Continuous gypsum can help create a more even moisture pattern, but it does not establish a universally correct humidity level by itself. The keeper must regulate the water supply and observe the chambers, brood, and food stores. Requirements may vary even between species in the same genus, so appropriate conditions should be researched before settlement.

Clearance for larger ants

The standard clearance above the gypsum is 15 mm, increasing to as much as 21 mm in selected areas. This gives large queens and workers room to turn, move through the nest, and tend their brood. Camponotus japonicus is provided as an example in the source material, although the size and needs of the actual colony must still be compared with the chamber geometry.

Five sections for controlled expansion

The nest contains five independent sections separated by removable partitions. A young family can initially receive only the space it needs while the remaining chambers stay closed. As the colony expands, partitions can be removed to release further sections. This staged arrangement lets the living area grow with the ants and reduces the chance that an undersized colony will use vacant chambers for waste or leftover food.

Arena and closure system

An 80 mm-high arena separates feeding and hunting activity from the nest. Its double acrylic lid consists of two sheets, an arrangement intended to help the cover retain its shape in a humid environment. Sliding closures block the designated outlets. Overall sealing still depends on correct assembly and the condition of the components, so the lid, joints, partitions, and closures should be inspected before use and during maintenance.

The body is made from PETG plastic and is intended for contact with water under normal operation of the humidified farm. Foam, wood, and PLA are not used in this model. White nylon bolts do not rust, making them practical fasteners beside a nesting block that is regularly supplied with moisture.

Recommended species groups

Honeycomb White B is directed at moisture-loving genera including Pheidole, Pachycondyla, Odontoponera, and Carebara. The source list also includes:

• Myrmicaria brunnea;
• Camponotus maculatus subnudus;
• Camponotus japonicus;
• Camponotus nicobarensis;
• Camponotus pseudoirritans;
• Camponotus fedtschenkoi.

This version is not recommended for harvester ants that favor drier nesting conditions. For Messor, Variant A with incomplete gypsum coverage is the suggested configuration. Before choosing the farm, the keeper should verify not only humidity needs but also the temperature, diet, and enclosure dimensions appropriate to the particular species.

Maintenance and temperature management

Some tropical species may require supplementary heat, but both the need for heating and the target temperature depend on the ants being kept. The source mentions a heat mat without specifying its wattage, position, or a permissible body temperature. Heating should therefore not follow a generic setup. Temperature needs to be measured and controlled so that the gypsum, PETG body, and colony are not overheated.

During humidification, the keeper should watch how water spreads through the gypsum and avoid maintaining an uncontrolled excess. Food remains should be removed from the arena promptly, and transparent surfaces should be cleaned only with methods suitable for equipment used to house insects.

Questions and answers

Why does gypsum cover the entire living area?
Full coverage distributes water throughout the nest block and forms a predominantly humid residential space. The configuration is intended for species that do not require a pronounced dry zone inside the chamber system.

What is the purpose of the nylon bolts?
Nylon fasteners do not rust in a damp environment. This makes them a practical choice for an assembled structure containing a gypsum base that is humidified regularly.

Do all tropical ants require a heat mat?
No universal requirement can be established from the species’ tropical origin alone. Heating depends on the selected ants and the ambient room temperature. The permitted range must be determined and monitored before a heat source is installed.