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Your colony has a next step.

Find where you are today. See the pieces, the price and how they fit before you buy. Moving at your colony's pace is the whole idea.

Where are you now?

Your colony right now

If you have… a queen to catch

Our suggestion

Scout V1 or V2 with a Catch Cap; the 16 mm water tube is included.

The Catch Cap fits the Scout's port for the catch; swap it for the included Port Plug afterward.

Another good option

Keep her in a prepared test tube instead.

Signs you're ready to move on

The queen is settled and ready for a founding space.

Catch and watch

Catch a queen at the Scout's port, then watch her colony begin.

Pieces to add

Scout V1
00× 1
$24.00
Catch Cap
× 1
$3.00$8.00

Scout V1 includes its 16 mm water tube and Cover. Prepare the tube with cotton before catching; swap the Catch Cap for its included Port Plug afterward.
A Catch Kit or separate tube is optional spare equipment, not required for another tube.

Setup total: $27.00

Cannot add setup yet: Scout V1: Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Everything connects.

One AA-01 port across the line. Join a nest to an outworld with a Link; choose a best-sized pairing when you can.

Nests

00Scout V2 00Scout V1 01Founder 02Homestead 04Four Corners

Outworlds

Trailhead 03Frontier S 03Frontier L

Any nest + Link + any outworld. Four Corners: one outworld per quadrant.

★ Best-sized pairing: Scout V2 + Link + Trailhead ★ Best-sized pairing: Scout V1 + Link + Trailhead ★ Best-sized pairing: Founder + Link + Frontier S ★ Best-sized pairing: Homestead + Link + Frontier L

One standard port

Any nest or outworld joins any other with a Link. Founder + Frontier S and Homestead + Frontier L are the best-sized pairings.

Scout moves up

Scout V1 and V2 sit lower: use a Scout Riser to meet standard-height ports, or Link straight into Trailhead's low port with no Riser. Two Scouts meet at the same height.

One colony per quadrant

Each Four Corners quadrant is its own colony, not necessarily the same species, with its own outworld.

The whole journey.

Before you buy.

Choose your Scout

Both Scouts include a 16 mm water tube in a glass-safe seat. Each also has AA-01 Link ports: V1 has one, with classic chambers; V2 has two and a roofed Queen Pocket. The straight adapter is paused; do not force larger tubes into Scout.

Plug unused ports

Close any open AA-01 sockets with Port Plug or Vent Plug before introducing ants.

Check each box

Use the product page's box list, not an assumed accessory package. Founder includes body, Click Stop lid and Fill Plug; Homestead includes body, two lids and Fill Plug. Scout tubes are included. Choose Links and closures separately where not listed.

Humidity is not drinking water

Reservoirs supply nest humidity through a printed mesh floor. Always provide a separate drinking source. Dew Tube is planned but not yet orderable.

Heat is optional

If you heat a nest, use a thermostat, keep the warm end at about 75–82 °F and leave a cooler area. Many native species also need a cool winter rest; see the heating guide.

Turn what you learn into a colony record.

Record a feeding, a water check or a new milestone in ColonyLog. Dated notes and photos make it easier to look back at what changed as your colony grew.

See how ColonyLog works