Hunter Valley Ants

01/12/2022

Why have we been so quiet?

Unforeseen life circumstances has meant we are closed indefinitely.
We look forward to the day that we resume manufacturing, rescuing ant colonies and making videos.

We appreciate all the support we have received from both in Australia and abroad.
Matt is still running the Australian Ant Lovers group and we welcome all Australian antkeepers to join.

If you are new to this page and are interested in the work we have done, feel free to check out our website:

Hunter Valley Ants specialise in the humane removal and conservation of Myrmecia (bull ant) species. They sell ant colonies and formicariums that they have both designed and manufactured.

02/05/2022

Today Matt and Lauryn undertook a Myrmecia nigrocinta rescue. The nest was located at a residential property on a path close to where a new gate is being built. Construction had to halt as the owners and their family have been stung many times by these girls, which have caused pain and limb swelling.

The difficulties with this removal included:
- Myrmecia nigrocinta are highly aggressive, small, fast and jump forward.
- The nest location was on a slope. The team's rule is that diggers collect ants the highest point to avoid ants jumping on them from above, however they were rushed by ants multiple times and Lauryn had to navigate collecting ants closest to her versus those higher.
- The team began working around 1pm. This means the girls had already left the nest to go hunting for the day and returned throughout the afternoon, including dropping from trees.
- The hole was narrow, deep, in hard clay and intertwined with thick roots required removing by hand.

Overall, it was an enjoyable dig with a stunning queen.

05/03/2022

Yummy, yummy mealworms. Myrmecia Brevinoda taking care of brood they have adopted from another colony

28/02/2022

A customer review on our custom 1ft tank. Our tanks provide great viewing and a hydration set-up that can go months without refilling.

These currently retail at $500, with our 2ft retailing at $900.

We have some beautiful colonies available that would fill these formicariums, so ask us about a colony + formicarium combo deal (starting from 1k).

https://youtu.be/V9ze5rzNo5Y

Hunter Valley Ants: https://www.facebook.com/huntervalleyants/

26/02/2022

*Language warning*
We are only use to seeing the ground erupt with ants. Never before have we removed a snake!!!! She will be safely returned in nature

19/02/2022

Alates mating! We did a Myrmecia Brevinoda rescue today and we separated out the alates. Someone is happy to see his sister.

14/02/2022

This is what Hunter Valley Ants has been working on today. 520x200mm formicarium. Chamber depth of 18mm to cater for the Myrmecia Brevinoda that are going into it. Sealed with an award winning, Australian made, eco-friendly sealant designed for use on cement. We use top quality AAC that has great structural integrity and a clear acrylic that allows easy viewing of ants.
We can customise this design to different depths for different species.
We also provide the option for our customers to submit their designs to be carved or to work with us to design a layout just for you!

The design below is retailing at $300

08/01/2022

We have many beautiful rescue ant colonies now available for delivery in the Hunter Region and within a 2hr proximity (travel fees apply for non-local deliveries).

In stock we have Myrmecia Brevinoda, Myrmecia Simillima, Myrmecia Nigroceps and Myrmecia Gulosa.

Pricing from $700-$2000. All queens are laying or have recently laid we brood of varying stages and are currently in Hebel/Ytong holding cells.

We are happy to transfer the ants to a Hunter Valley Ants Hebel/Ytong design formicarium or a custom HVA 1ft or 2ft tank set-up.

04/12/2021

Customer Photo: Rescued Myrmecia Fulviculis colony in a HVA formicarium. Thanks Ewan for the update! This colony is thriving, growing in numbers and will be moving to a larger HVA formicarium soon

14/11/2021

Mealworm breeding program is finally taking off!

09/11/2021

Hunter Valley Ants is seeking an experienced, confident Myrmecia handler to visit "the office" and provide ant care to our colonies during periods while we are away. Colonies can range from founding to fully established (approx 1500 ants).

Training provided to increase capacity and skills of handlers.

Work is infrequent and often will occur while we are conducting rural rescue trips (every 1-2 months)

Next period is 20-27 November.

Located in Maitland NSW.

Must have a National Police Check.

PM us with details of experience.

Send a message to learn more

01/11/2021

COLONIES NOW AVAILABLE!

They have served their mandatory holding periods and these rescued Myrmecia colonies are thriving.
It will be sad to see them go, but we believe any new owners will love watching them as much as we do.

M. Brevinoda
M. Nigrocinta
M. Nigroceps
M. Gulosa
M. Simillima

Prices starting from $750.

ANTPAY now available. Pay off your colony in four easy installments.

Hunter Valley Ants is a registered Australian business that is proud to offer its customers an Alive on Arrival Guarantee.

26/10/2021

Now available! How could we not be excited about what is happening in Maci's nest right now?! See all those eggs laid and pupae spun? Those developments have happened since she was collected on 2 Oct!!! Contact us for pricing :)

20/10/2021

We have some amazing Myrmecia colonies available and ready soon! The type that will be a talking piece in your home.
Nigrocinta
Brevinoda
Nigroceps
Simillima
Get in quick to express interest because they girls are STUNNING!!!

05/10/2021

A Myrmecia Fulvipes colony we have available. Queen Aurelia II. Australian residents only excluding WA & TAS. Includes formicarium.

04/10/2021

Myrmecia Nigrocinta - High Risk Dig

We were asked to return to a previous property we did a removal at, where the landowner was moving scrap metal and ended up being surrounded by angry ants everywhere, including one on him. We moved the fencing prior to taking this video, which did not please the ants.

I will post footage later (which Lauryn terms means "one day", but this ended up being our most dangerous dig in terms of being rushed by ants. We have never been swarmed by so many at once. It became incredibly dangerous).

Poisons have been previously used on this property to remove ant nests due to one of the children having an allergy.

The really exciting thing about this rescue is the fact the owner would like to turn this into a captive colony at their home in a safe and securely designed HVA tank formicarium.

02/10/2021

This M. Brevinoda queen is the largest we've rescued. She is named after the current tallest lady in the world (GBOR 2020). What is her name?

28/09/2021

Update: trying to move in Queen Shazza