My Ant Farms (Large photo warning!)

That is exactly how I start my colonies. Rather than destroy a mature colony in an attempt to find a queen, I just wait for them to come to me! Those massive swarms you see are most likely Lasius niger (Black garden ant) or one of the other more common Lasius species. All of which are very friendly for new ant-keepers to try! All you need to get started is some container preferably a test tube with water in half of it, blocked with a cotton ball. Even a tupperware container with a water source would work. I'd highly recommend giving it a try. Once you start, you can't stop! Gotta catch 'em all!