Test tube – an essential element for a beginner myrmecologist
The beginnings of ant keeping can raise many questions, they require proper preparation. One of the most important issues at the start of home ant keeping is choosing the right container for the newly established colony.
For beginner breeders, the best and simplest solution is a test tube. Why is it the ideal first "home" for ants? Let's take a closer look at this topic:
Why choose a test tube?
How to prepare a test tube for ant breeding?
What to avoid when using a test tube?
Types of test tubes
Why is it worth having an additional test tube.
Summary.
Why a test tube?
A test tube is a small, glass or plastic container that makes it easy to observe ants. Here are some reasons why a test tube works so well:
1) It imitates a natural environment: In nature, queen ants establish their colonies in tight, dark spaces, such as cracks in the ground or rotten wood. Partially filled with water, the test tube mimics these conditions, providing both humidity and protection.
2) Humidity control: The test tube is easy to maintain the right level of humidity, which is crucial for the health of the queen and her young. The water placed at one end of the test tube is separated from the rest of the space by a cotton swab, which allows for the constant release of moisture.
3) Monitoring the development of the colony: The transparency of the test tube allows easy observation of the queen, eggs, larvae and workers without having to disturb them. This is especially important for beginners who want to grow a colony to the right size, a size adequate for the next container, which is usually a formicarium or an ant nest connected to an arena.
4) Low cost: Test tubes are cheap and easily available, making them a great choice for people starting out with ants.
Tip for antkeepers:
If you need a test tube urgently and can't buy one quickly,
you can definitely buy a syringe at the pharmacy. Then you throw away the syringe plunger,
singe the plastic tip (to close it) and proceed as with a test tube.
Of course, this method does not look super aesthetic, but the syringe will fulfill its breeding
function.
How to prepare a test tube for ants?
Preparing a test tube is a simple process, but it requires attention and care. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Gather materials: You will need a test tube (glass or plastic), a cotton swab, water, a cork to close the hole.
2. Pour in water: Fill the test tube 1/3 with water (about 3 cm). Make sure there are no impurities in it. At AntCenter, we most often use boiled and cooled water.
Tip for antkeepers:
Sometimes it happens that the water in the test tube takes on a pink-purple color - it all depends on the pH of the water, and microorganisms from ants also get into the water. In our experience, this is not harmful to ants.
3. Place the cotton ball: Gently press the cotton ball into the test tube so that it separates the water from the rest of the space. It should be tight enough that the water does not spill out, but at the same time allows moisture to pass through. The water should not flood the ants.
4. Secure the hole: The other end of the test tube can be closed with a loose cork or cotton ball, which will provide ventilation and at the same time prevent the ants from escaping.
5. Insert the queen: Carefully place the queen ant in the test tube and close the hole. This should be done quite quickly so that the queen does not escape.
What to avoid when using a test tube?
1) Too small space: Make sure the test tube is long enough (about 10-15 cm) to provide comfort for the queen and young ants.
2) Contamination: Everything you put into the test tube should be clean and free of chemicals. You should be especially careful with needles brought from the forest, so that it does not turn out that other life is developing there.
3) Excessive light: Ants prefer darkness. You can wrap the test tube in aluminum foil or paper to provide them with the right conditions. You can simply cover it with a cloth.
4) Excessive movements- In the AntCenter offer you can buy test tube holders or test tube stands - then you can be sure that the test tube will not roll.
5) Overheating: Keep the test tube in a place with a stable temperature (around 20-25 °C), away from direct sunlight. The test tube cannot lie directly on the heating mat.
The photo below shows how the test tubes with water, cotton wool, ants and a cotton plug are prepared. The test tubes lie comfortably on a special stand:
Types of test tubes
At AntCenter we offer a large selection of test tubes, from the simplest to the more innovative ones:
- plastic - made of polypropylene or polystyrene
- glass of various sizes and with a water inlet;
- strictly specialized - glass with chambers for gradual cultivation together with sand and an inlet;
- large test tubes with a stopper, acting as mini formicariums.
Why is it always worth having an additional test tube in your home ant breeding?
There are two main reasons to have additional tube or tubes:
1) You have run out of water in the first test tube and want to move the ants to a new, larger test tube with new water,
2) You see that for some unknown reason something is wrong with your colony (the colony has probably been attacked by some diseases) - so here is solution:
Tip for antkeepers:
In case of problems with development of the colony - the best solution is to move the ants from the formicarium to the test tube. You can use also the oil filter during resettelment.
Generally, we recommend buying a myrmecologist's toolbox, where in addition to the test tube you will find other recommended elements.
Summary - test tube, the first antkeeping container
A test tube is an irreplaceable piece of equipment for a beginner myrmecologist. It is cheap, practical and allows you to create optimal conditions for the development of a young colony. Thanks to it, you can observe the fascinating world of these extraordinary insects from up close, learning about their behavior and biology. If you are planning to start your own breeding, a test tube should be your first step in this exciting adventure.
Best regards,
Your AntQueen