Check this out. I've had too many problems with ants constantly pulling strands of cotton out and getting brood, food, and their own mandibles tangled up in them, so I made some simple cotton ball covers. I just cut a small piece of cotton material from an old t-shirt and wrapped it as evenly as possible over the end of the cotton ball.
 

 

 

 
 
It's working great so far.
 

 
 
If they manage to shred these covers, I will try other materials. They most certainly wouldn't be able to do much damage to silk. What will also make this even easier, is finding some cheap gloves and cutting the finger tips off. Those would fit much better around the cotton balls, and would eliminate some of the small folds you end up with when wrapping a flat material over something round.

are those queens being sold this year, if so I'm  not buying camponotus. Also I've had this problem with my argentine ants! they got it wrapped around the queen and it can't move now.

I didn't want to post this until I received these gloves and made sure they would work for this. This makes the cotton ball cover idea even easier. You can get a pack of 60 of these white cotton disposable inspection gloves for only 20 dollars here (http://www.amazon.co...duct/B004THMZJE). Using all five fingers, you will get 300 cotton ball covers out of one pack. That's less than 7 cents per cotton ball (14 cents  per test tube). They are the perfect material and size. Sure after enough time, some larger stronger queens could possibly chew through them, but it's yet to be seen how often that would actually happen.
 

 
 
Just cut an inch and a half or so off the finger tip.
 

 
 
Stuff the cotton balls inside them like a little pillow cases, and then set the tube up as you normally would.
 

 

 
 
One other added benefit (mainly for those who use smaller cotton balls), is the sort of handle on the cotton plug this gives you. No more picking at the cotton plug because it got pushed too far inside the tube.
 

 

I noticed my Camponotus noveboracensis queen doing this today and I documented it for my notes.

 

I was worried she was going to drown herself for a moment.

 

Is this the behavior you are observing?

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=TBWtWNCZ0Wg

Edited by AntsNY, May 27 2015 - 8:25 PM.

The rest of the glove could easily be made into usable material.

 

Alternatively I would look into this for a cheaper solution:

 

http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/B001B14ODG

Trying to wrap something flat around something sphere shaped like I was doing at the beginning of this thread does not work. It leaves you with tons of folds and creases that small ants casually walk right through if you're not careful. It's enough work already using the finger tips that are basically already formed perfectly for this application. I'm not making that much more work for myself to save a couple dollars.

Great idea! Gonna have to pick some up now...

Could you give us a full side view of the test tube setup with this method?

Edited by Lamarr, May 30 2015 - 8:59 PM.

Sure. I'll post the picture as soon as I get it.

I ordered a set of the gloves last night.

It makes it a lot more tedious setting up test tubes, but it's worth it. I also reuse the plugs too. I just put them in the oven at 250 F for an hour.

I know this is a very old post but I really want to know if you still use the method and is it effective. After almost 7 years since you posted, does it live up to the time?
 

Sorry for starting an old post again but I really want to know more and thought ill ask on the original post instead of making a new one about the same thing.

I know this is a very old post but I really want to know if you still use the method and is it effective. After almost 7 years since you posted, does it live up to the time?
 

Sorry for starting an old post again but I really want to know more and thought ill ask on the original post instead of making a new one about the same thing.

One of the newer techniques is sponges! can't remember the specific kind but I know it's a common solution. Something like these https://www.ebay.com...asaAmktEALw_wcB

 

didn't look into this brand at all it's just what they look like

Great link!

I've been using Drews fingertip glove method for years without fail. It's a good solution if you don't want to use foam. 

I've been using Drews fingertip glove method for years without fail. It's a good solution if you don't want to use foam. 

Thanks for letting me know! I think the foam would be great for the water area but I'm not sure I want it as the stop plug as I don't think it will let sufficient air flow through. Its the main problem I've got. They tend to leave the water cotton alone.