Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Is Her Castle suitable for a newly caught queen?

For most fully claustral species, we recommend allowing the queen to establish her first workers in a secure founding test tube before introducing the colony to Her Castle. A colony of approximately 10 or more workers is a useful starting guideline, but the appropriate colony size depends on the species, worker size, and habitat configuration.

Some species, including semi-claustral queens, have different founding and feeding requirements. Always research the specific needs of your ants before transferring them.

What should I do before adding ants?

Inspect the habitat carefully before introducing your colony. Make sure all acrylic panels, magnetic covers, ventilation openings, expansion ports, and plugs are properly secured.

Check for loose components, sharp edges, gaps, or adhesive that has not fully cured. Place Her Castle on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, and vibration.

How much substrate should I add?

With the hydration-chamber cover securely in place, carefully add Diva Burrowing Mixture around the central core until the substrate reaches approximately the top of the hydration chamber.

A slightly higher level is acceptable, provided it does not interfere with covers, ventilation, or other components. Use the included brush to remove loose substrate from closure surfaces.

When do I insert the cotton?

Insert the supplied cotton into the designated hydration openings before adding water to the reservoir.

Position the cotton according to the setup instructions. Avoid packing it too tightly, as this can restrict water movement. Keep the hydration-chamber cover securely positioned while adding substrate.

How do I hydrate Her Castle for the first time?

Use clean water only.

  1. Add water gradually to the integrated hydration reservoir.

  2. Wait approximately 15 minutes and observe how moisture spreads through the substrate.

  3. If additional moisture is needed, refill gradually and allow time for distribution.

  4. Continue monitoring the substrate and stop if water begins pooling or the mixture becomes excessively wet.

During prototype testing, initial hydration sometimes required two to four gradual additions over approximately one hour. Actual results will vary depending on substrate conditions and the amount of water used.

Allow at least 12 hours for moisture to stabilize before introducing your colony. Confirm that the resulting humidity conditions are appropriate for your ant species.

Why does Her Castle hydrate from the bottom up?

Her Castle features an integrated hydration system designed to distribute water gradually beneath the burrowing substrate.

Rather than pouring water directly onto established tunnels, the system channels moisture toward four sides of the habitat, encouraging a more controlled moisture gradient.

This design helps reduce some risks associated with direct watering, including tunnel disturbance and localized oversaturation. However, careful monitoring is still essential, as no hydration system completely eliminates the possibility of overwatering.

How often should I refill the hydration system?

Hydration frequency depends on temperature, ventilation, ambient humidity, substrate conditions, and the needs of your ant species.

Approximately every 10 days may be a useful initial observation point, but it is not a fixed schedule. Monitor the substrate and adjust accordingly.

Avoid standing water and excessive saturation.

Does the hydration system replace drinking water?

Not necessarily.

Moist substrate provides humidity, but many ant species also require access to a separate drinking-water source.

Provide an appropriate ant-safe water source when needed, ensuring that exposed liquids cannot easily trap or drown workers.

Moving In and Containment

How do I connect a test tube?

Use a compatible connector tube and Her Castle's expansion port to connect your colony's founding test tube.

Before allowing ants to move between the containers, make sure the tubing and connections fit securely and cannot be pulled loose.

Never force incompatible parts together, and do not apply silicone or adhesives while ants are present.

How long does it take for a colony to move in?

Every colony is different.

Some ants may relocate within hours, while others take several days or even weeks. Keep the nesting area appropriately dark, quiet, and humid for the species.

Avoid shaking, tapping, excessive disturbance, or attempting to force the queen to move.

Do not disconnect the founding setup until the queen, workers, and brood have safely transferred.

Why are the walls acrylic and the closures magnetic?

The transparent acrylic walls provide a clear view of the colony's tunnels and activity.

Selected magnetic components make it easier to access designated areas for setup and maintenance.

Always verify that covers, panels, and ports are securely seated. Magnetic closures still require regular inspection.

Can ants escape through the expansion port?

An open or improperly secured expansion port can provide an escape route.

Always keep unused ports capped and check that connected tubing fits securely.

We recommend performing maintenance within a larger escape-resistant work area whenever practical.

Can I connect another habitat later?

Yes. Her Castle includes an expansion port designed to accommodate compatible future connections, including certain tubing-based setups.

Always verify that additional components fit securely and maintain proper containment before opening a connection.

What if condensation forms on the acrylic?

Light condensation can occur after hydration or when temperatures change.

Persistent heavy condensation, standing water, or excessively wet substrate may indicate too much moisture or an unsuitable temperature difference.

Pause hydration and reassess conditions before adding more water. Avoid applying excessive heat to eliminate condensation.

Feeding and Maintenance

What should I feed my colony?

Dietary needs vary by species.

Many commonly kept ants benefit from carbohydrates for energy and appropriate protein sources to support colony growth and brood development. Some species have specialized nutritional requirements.

Research the needs of your particular species and provide small, manageable portions to minimize spoilage and drowning hazards.

How often should I feed my ants and remove leftovers?

Small colonies may require feeding once or twice weekly, while larger or rapidly growing colonies may need more frequent feeding.

Check food regularly and remove perishable leftovers promptly, generally within 24 hours or sooner in warm conditions.

Keeping the feeding area clean helps reduce mold and contamination.

What are the small and large tweezers for?

The smaller precision tweezers are intended for delicate tasks and accessing tight spaces.

The larger food and waste tweezers help with routine feeding and maintenance.

Use the designated tools carefully, and avoid gripping or squeezing live ants.

What does the hook do?

The hook is designed to help carefully lift the designated hydration-chamber cover.

After replacing the cover, use the supplied brush to remove loose substrate from its edges and contact surfaces so it can close securely.

How often should I replace the cotton?

Inspect the hydration cotton periodically for discoloration, clogging, deterioration, or contamination.

A six-to-eight-week interval may serve as an initial inspection guideline, but replacement should be based on actual condition rather than a fixed calendar schedule.

Replace cotton sooner if necessary, and only when the hydration area can be accessed safely without creating an escape risk or disturbing the colony.

What replacement cotton should I buy?

Use plain, unfragranced, dye-free absorbent cotton that closely matches the size and density of the cotton originally supplied with Her Castle.

Some cylindrical dental cotton rolls may be suitable, provided they fit correctly and allow proper water movement. Standard cotton swabs are not equivalent substitutes.

If you're unsure about compatibility, contact Ant Diva before using a replacement material.

What if I see mold?

Small amounts of mold do not always require an emergency relocation, but persistent or spreading growth should be addressed.

Remove leftover food, evaluate moisture levels, and check ventilation. Unusual odors or extensive contamination may indicate that the habitat is no longer suitable.

If necessary, develop a safe relocation plan for your colony.

Never spray household cleaners, pesticides, or disinfectants inside an occupied habitat.

How should I clean the acrylic and printed components?

For routine exterior cleaning, gently wipe surfaces with a soft, damp cloth.

Avoid abrasive materials, alcohol, solvents, harsh cleaning agents, and scented products that could damage components or leave harmful residues.

For extensive cleaning, safely relocate the colony first and follow appropriate care procedures for acrylic and PETG components.

Troubleshooting and Purchasing

Why are my ants digging only on one side?

This is normal.

Ants select nesting areas based on humidity, temperature, light exposure, colony needs, and individual behavior.

Her Castle's four-sided hydration design provides multiple areas with potentially different moisture conditions, allowing ants to choose suitable locations.

Perfectly symmetrical tunnels are neither expected nor necessary.

What if the substrate collapses or becomes muddy?

Stop adding water immediately.

Keep the habitat stable and allow the substrate to return toward suitable moisture conditions.

Avoid disturbing occupied tunnels or attempting to reshape them while ants are inside.

If pooling or instability continues, contact Ant Diva for assistance.

What if the magnets or acrylic panels seem loose?

Do not introduce ants into a habitat with an unsecured cover, panel, or connection.

If your colony has not yet moved in, keep it in its original secure enclosure until the issue is resolved.

Contact Ant Diva for guidance on replacement or repair. Never apply uncured adhesive or silicone inside an occupied habitat.

Are the materials ant-safe?

Her Castle is constructed using PETG, acrylic, and selected bonding materials that are fully cured before the habitat is intended for use.

These materials are selected for their suitability in the intended habitat design, but safe use also depends on proper assembly, maintenance, and species compatibility.

Do not introduce ants if you notice damaged components, sharp defects, strong chemical odors, or adhesive that appears tacky or incompletely cured.

Where can I buy a queen or ant colony?

Ant Diva does not include live ants with Her Castle.

If you're looking to purchase a queen or established colony, you can explore these independent ant suppliers:

Availability and shipping eligibility depend on the species and destination. Before purchasing, confirm that the seller is authorized to ship the specific species to your state and that possession is permitted under applicable laws.

Ant Diva is not affiliated with these independent suppliers and does not guarantee their inventory, shipping eligibility, or services.

What is included in the Complete Essentials kit?

The Her Castle Complete Essentials kit includes your selected Her Castle habitat along with a coordinated set of accessories designed for setup and ongoing maintenance.

The kit includes:

  • Diva Burrowing Mixture

  • Her Purse accessory pouch

  • Feeding dish and feeding tray

  • FOOD and WASTE tweezers

  • Two precision tweezers

  • Substrate scraper

  • Hydration-cover removal tool

  • Magnifier

  • Cleaning brush

  • Twelve cotton balls for the hydration system

  • Replacement expansion-port caps

  • Setup instructions

The Habitat Only option does not include the Complete Essentials accessory package.

Please note: Hydration test tubes are not included. Her Castle features an integrated hydration system.

Where can I find setup instructions, replacement accessories, and additional help?

Visit www.AntDiva.com or scan the QR code included with your product for available setup information, care guidance, replacement accessories, and product support.

Additional instructional resources and demonstrations may be added as they become available.

If you have questions about assembly, hydration, maintenance, or compatible replacement components, please contact Ant Diva through the website's Contact page.