FAQ

AA-01 is the one standard port on every American Ant product. Because every product has the same port, a single part (the Link) can join any two of them.

Yes. A Link joins AA-01 ports on any two nests or outworlds. The Scout sits lower and needs a Riser to line up with Founder-height ports. The Scout Riser is sold on its own for $10, or for $4 when bought with a Founder, Homestead, or Four Corners. Founder, Homestead and Frontier boxes include a Link; Four Corners includes four.

If your queen has her first workers, start with the Founder Starter Kit: a Founder nest, a Frontier S foraging area and a Test-Tube Adapter. The Founder and Frontier S each come with a Link. If she has no workers yet, keep her in her test tube for now. See Start Here.

Every order ships free, so small parts come in packs that are worth the trip: Link and Port Plug in 3s, Vent Plug in pairs, or one of each in the Port Trio. They cost less again when you add them to an order with a nest, outworld or kit, because they ride in the same box. A Frontier is cheaper with its matching nest for the same reason.

Scout ships with its sliding acrylic lid, LockClip, front Port Plug, Tube Plug and Cover. It doesn't include a test tube or catching gear: the Catch Kit (a Catch Cap, a 16 mm tube and 3 cotton balls) is $8, or $4 with a Scout or Scout Basecamp. The 16 mm Test Tube & Cotton on its own is $3, or $2 with a Scout or Scout Basecamp. The Catch Cap on its own is $4, or $3. The Scout Riser is also sold separately for $10, or for $4 when bought with a Founder, Homestead, or Four Corners. The catching guide shows how to use it all.

The Scout Basecamp kit has two Scouts, one Link and one Cover. Keep the queen's Scout covered and Link a second, open Scout for workers to explore; each Scout's Scout Tube Plug closes the open Scout's tube end. Two Scouts need no Risers. Add a Catch Kit for catching and the queen's water; it costs less with the kit.

The Test-Tube Adapter comes in 16, 18 and 20 mm. A 16 mm tube pushes straight into the Scout's round end, which is also its water supply. An 18 or 20 mm tube colony connects to the Scout through an adapter in its AA-01 port, Then fill a 16 mm tube with water, plug it with cotton and push it into the round end as the Scout's water.

No enclosure can promise to hold every species. Our nests are designed to contain most common species, but very small species vary. Check the care guides and keep unused ports plugged.

Not yet. We encourage starting with a queen collected locally, from a species native to your area. Check your local rules first. Rather buy one? See two trusted sellers.

Anywhere in the United States, and shipping is free.

We ship free next business day* *Starts 12/1.

Yes: Spare Acrylic Lids and plugs are in the shop.