5 replies to this topic

[Dendovy]

Hi everyone,

I feel like my testtubes get mouldy way too fast and I have to change my ants too often which stunts their growth.

I am wondering if you guys have any good tips or tricks to make them last longer.

[That_one_ant_guy]

Instead of using cotton you could use pva sponges

[futurebird]

Wash your hands like you're a surgeon. Have a clean working area. Sterilize the test tubes and boil the water. Use a sealed fresh bag of cotton or as ant guy mentioned PVA. Make a whole bunch and put them in a clean box. 

Also, be very careful with the food you give ants in the tube. Put it on something like foil or a little plastic so you can remove uneaten food. Try not to over-feed. 

[Serafine]

Wash your hands and clean the tube with soap before preparing it.

Provide your ants with some sand (they may push it onto the cotton which can supress mold growth).

If the water tank runs low too fast use straws (and bigger tubes if necessary).

Don't feed gooey/liquid stuff inside the tube.

 

 

 

 

When they need to move do this (or just put a new tube into the setup, my Lasius moved on their own twice and it didn't have a negative effect on their growth).

 

Edited by Serafine, July 29 2022 - 6:40 PM.

[Dendovy]

Huh never thought about putting sand in. I always assumed it would increase mold growth. I will try this next setup I make!

Also will be using that straw method since it looks like you can keep the new tube dark. I always have some sketchy tape thing going on where I have had escapes and also its hard to keep the new tube darker than the old.

Thanks for the reply!

[Dendovy]

Wash your hands like you're a surgeon. Have a clean working area. Sterilize the test tubes and boil the water. Use a sealed fresh bag of cotton or as ant guy mentioned PVA. Make a whole bunch and put them in a clean box.

Also, be very careful with the food you give ants in the tube. Put it on something like foil or a little plastic so you can remove uneaten food. Try not to over-feed.

Yeah I need to up my standards quite a bit it seems. Thanks for the tips!