AntHome manual

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  1. The AntHome with a test tube, a piece of cotton wool and the test tube adapter beside it.

    In the box: AntHome, test tube, cotton wool, test tube adapter. Ants not included.

  2. The AntHome on a shelf, with a sunny window and a radiator crossed out.

    Flat, steady surface indoors. Away from sun and heat.

  3. Two hands being washed under a tap.

    Wash your hands.

  4. A test tube filled a third with water, then a wet cotton wool plug pushed in.

    Fill the tube one third with water. Push in wet cotton wool.

  5. The open end of the test tube being pushed into the test tube adapter until they sit together.

    Push the open end of the tube firmly into the adapter.

  6. The underside of the AntHome with the knob at OPEN while the test tube is screwed in clockwise.

    Screw the tube in clockwise, gently. Knob stays at OPEN.

  7. The AntHome with ants inside, a hand held back on each side, and a clock in the corner showing time must pass before touching.

    Colony in. Hands off: leave them to settle before touching.

  8. Four steps: look at the water in the end of the test tube sticking out of the AntHome, lift a crumb with tweezers, open the red feeding plug, put the crumb in a bowl.

    See the water in the tube end. Feed tiny amounts. Remove leftovers.

  9. The knob at OPEN (ticked) and at EXP, with another nest joined.

    Knob stays at OPEN. EXP: joining a nest or changing the tube.

  10. Five things not to do: put it in sun or by heat, shake it, use solvents, release ants outdoors, give it to a baby.

    Never: sun, heat, shaking, solvents, outdoor release. Not a toy: small parts.

To clean when empty: lukewarm water, a drop of washing-up liquid, soft cloth. Air dry.

Replace the test tube

  1. A new test tube with water, a cotton wool plug and the adapter fitted, ready to use.

    Prepare a replacement tube first: water, cotton wool, adapter.

  2. The underside of the AntHome with a coin turning the knob to CLOSE.

    Turn the knob to CLOSE.

  3. The sawtooth test tube adapter being pushed into the sawtooth socket of the AntHome.

    Push the sawtooth adapter into the sawtooth socket.

  4. The old test tube, with ants in it, unscrewed from the AntHome and pushed into the sawtooth adapter.

    Unscrew the old tube. Push it into the sawtooth adapter.

  5. The replacement test tube being screwed into the AntHome, clockwise.

    Screw in the replacement tube, gently.

  6. The knob at EXP, with ants moving from the old tube into the new tube.

    Turn the knob to EXP. The ants move into the new tube.

  7. The old test tube empty, and the knob turned to OPEN.

    When the old tube is empty, turn the knob to OPEN.

  8. The sawtooth adapter and the empty old test tube being pulled out of the AntHome.

    Pull out the sawtooth adapter and the old tube.