The FormicaFamily Manifesto
11 Pledges of the FormicaMarket Community
Last updated: June 6, 2026
Before you enter the marketplace, read and acknowledge each pledge. These rules protect every member of the FormicaFamily — buyers, sellers, and the living creatures in their care.
01I will not transact off-platform
I will never ask, accept, or arrange to complete a deal outside of FormicaMarket — no WhatsApp, Telegram, bank transfer, or any other external channel.
02I will list honestly
Every listing I post will accurately describe what I am selling — real photos, true species identification, correct queen count, colony size, and all known health issues disclosed. No misrepresented or falsely labelled colonies.
03I will not list prohibited species
I will not list species that are invasive, regulated, or illegal to keep or ship in my country or the buyer's country. I take full responsibility for verifying the legal status of every species I sell.
04I will ship safely and on time
As a seller I will pack live animals with appropriate insulation, ventilation, and moisture, and ship within the agreed timeframe. As a buyer I will not abandon purchases I initiate. The welfare of the colony starts with how it travels.
05I will not manipulate the platform
No fake reviews, no shill bidding on my own listings, no duplicate accounts to evade bans, no artificial price inflation. I compete fairly and honestly.
06I will treat every member with respect
Harassment, threats, discriminatory language, and unsolicited spam have no place in this community. I engage with others the way I want to be treated.
07I will resolve disputes in good faith
If something goes wrong — a colony that arrives dead, a delayed shipment, a species mismatch — I will communicate directly and honestly first. I will contact FormicaMarket support before initiating a chargeback or payment dispute.
08I accept responsibility for colony welfare
I will not sell unhealthy, parasitised, or dying colonies as healthy. I will not encourage buyers to keep species they are clearly not prepared to care for. The welfare of the animals in every transaction is a shared responsibility.
09I understand FormicaMarket is not a party to my deals
FormicaMarket provides the marketplace infrastructure. The sale contract is between me and the other party. I take responsibility for my own due diligence — including species ID, health assessment, and local regulations.
10I will report violations I witness
If I see off-platform solicitation, misidentified or prohibited species, or welfare concerns I will use the Report function. Silence enables bad actors — I am part of keeping this community safe for keepers and colonies alike.
11I accept that violations lead to permanent bans
I understand that serious breaches — fraud, off-platform sales, listing of prohibited species, or colony welfare violations — result in immediate account termination and may be reported to the relevant authorities. No appeals for deliberate violations.
Every FormicaMarket member agrees to these pledges when they first join. They exist to protect you, the other party, and the living colonies changing hands. If another member violates them, please report it via the listing or user profile.