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Identification Model v1.1 - Better Dataset, Better Generalization
How targeted dataset cleanup, FiLM removal, a leaner model head, and sharded training pushed the model to its best out-of-distribution accuracy yet.
Generating Ant Care Sheets from Scientific Literature
How I used the AntScout knowledge dataset combined with AntWiki to produce 2,200+ structured, cited care sheets using GLM 5.1, and the pipeline that turns raw research into practical antkeeping guidance.
Building an Ant Species Knowledge Dataset from Scientific Literature
How I used the FORMIS2024 database and GLM 5.1 to extract structured facts about every ant species from thousands of research papers into a machine-readable JSON dataset for LLMs.
Choosing and training the best object detection model for ants
Exploring different object detection architectures like YOLO and RF-DETR to find the most accurate and efficient model for detecting ants in various environments.
Building the AntScout Dataset: 12 Million Images Cleaned
Learn how I curated and cleaned over 1.5 million ant images to create the comprehensive AntScout dataset.
Identifying Ants with Detection & Classification
Exploring the capabilities of object detection models in combination with classification models trained on extensive datasets to identify ants.
How to make a simple ant nest
A comprehensive guide on how to build a simple, effective acrylic ant nest with a hydration system suitable for various species.
Flying Ant Day: 2023-2025 Data Analysis
A deep dive into the timing of nuptial flights in the Netherlands and Belgium. We analyze the Antscout dataset from 2023-2025 to predict when to expect flying ants.
Fixing Common Antkeeping Problems: A Beginner’s Troubleshooting Guide
Dealing with common antkeeping problems? Learn how to troubleshoot ants dying, mold in the nest, escapes, slow colony growth, queen problems, pests, mites, hydration issues, and other beginner ant care mistakes.
Ant Test Tube Setup Guide for Beginners
Learn how to start antkeeping with a simple test tube setup. This beginner guide covers queen ant founding chambers, water and cotton setup, feeding, humidity, moving ants, and basic care.
Ant Colony Castes: Queen, Workers, Males, and Brood Guide
Explore the ant caste system for beginners. Learn what queen ants, worker ants, male ants, and brood do, and understand how ant colony roles help a colony grow and survive.
Guide to Finding and Catching Ant Queens for a New Colony
Want to start an ant colony? Learn when and where to find queen ants, how to identify them, how nuptial flights work, and how to collect queens safely and responsibly.
Why Is My Ant Colony Growing Slowly? A Beginner’s Troubleshooting Guide
Is your beginner ant colony not growing? Learn how to troubleshoot slow ant colony growth, queen egg-laying problems, brood development, temperature, humidity, feeding, stress, diapause, and common beginner mistakes.
Beginner’s Guide: What Do Ants Eat?
Just getting into antkeeping? Learn what pet ants eat, including sugar water, protein sources, seeds, feeding frequency, safe foods, and common beginner feeding mistakes.
Best Ant Species for Beginners by Continent: Top Starter Ants for New Antkeepers
Discover the best beginner ant species by continent, including starter ants for Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. Learn which ants are easier to keep, which species need caution, and how to choose the right first colony.
Queen Ant Care for Beginners: First Weeks, Test Tube Setup, Feeding, and Common Mistakes
Learn how to care for a newly mated queen ant during the first weeks, including test tube setup, humidity, feeding, heating, development stages, and beginner mistakes to avoid.