Heating Mat 11×11 cm 5W — With Adjustable Regulator

• Mat dimensions: 11 × 11 cm
• Power: 5 W
• Regulator: built-in adjustable dial
• Plug: EU standard
• Surface temperature: rises 5–15 °C above ambient depending on dial setting
• Use: formicariums, terrariums, reptile and insect enclosures, plant propagation

Most ant species kept in the hobby have an optimal temperature range. Tropical species (Camponotus parius, Pheidole, Carebara, most Asian and African ants) need 26–28 °C in the nest for normal brood development. In a typical European room running at 19–22 °C, brood development slows or stops without supplemental heat. A heating mat is the standard solution — cheaper, safer, and more controllable than a heat lamp.

Also useful in winter, when even Mediterranean species can drop below their hibernation threshold accidentally, and for accelerating founding colonies through their slowest phase.

Place the mat under one side of the formicarium nest area only — never under the whole arena. This creates a temperature gradient, letting the ants choose the warmest spot rather than being forced to live in it. Start the dial at the lowest setting and increase gradually over a few hours, checking the surface temperature with a thermometer placed inside the nest. Aim for the bottom of your species’ preferred range first, then adjust up.

Do not stick the mat directly onto acrylic — leave a small air gap (a few mm of cardboard works) to prevent the acrylic from warming non-uniformly and warping over time.

• Works under all formicarium types — acrylic, gypsum, ytong, cork
• Pair with a thermometer to verify the actual nest temperature, not just the dial setting
• Suitable for tropical species in our live ant catalogue — most Asian, African, and Australian ants need supplemental heat in European keeping

Wipe the surface with a dry cloth occasionally to clear dust. Never wet the mat or its connector. If the mat runs unusually hot — too hot to comfortably touch — turn it off and check the dial; intermittent connector faults can cause this. Replace if the housing cracks or the EU plug becomes loose.

• 1 × heating mat, 11 × 11 cm, 5 W
• Built-in cable with EU plug and inline dial regulator

Does it come with a thermostat?
It has a manual dial regulator, not a thermostat. The dial lets you set the output level (low to high), but it does not automatically hold a target temperature. For precise temperature control, pair it with a separate thermometer placed inside the nest and adjust the dial by feedback.

How hot does the surface get?
Roughly 5–15 °C above ambient depending on dial setting. In a 20 °C room at maximum, surface temperature reaches about 35 °C. The actual nest temperature inside a formicarium placed on top will be lower than the mat surface.

Will it warp my acrylic formicarium?
Not at normal settings. Place the mat under only one half of the nest with a small air gap (a few mm of cardboard or foam) — uniform high heat directly against thin acrylic can cause warping over months.

Can I leave it on 24/7?
Yes — heating mats are designed for continuous use. For species that need a day–night temperature cycle, plug it into a simple mechanical timer.

EU plug — does it work in the UK?
Only with a plug adapter or a UK-compatible socket. The mat itself runs on standard 220–240 V.