PVA Test Tube Sponges for Ants
Our PVA test tube sponges replace the cotton water plug in a standard test tube setup. They hold the water reservoir in place, give your queen/colony a steady place to drink, and keep the tube at the ideal humidity for the ants!
Why PVA instead of cotton?
Ants can't pull loose fibers from it easily, so queens and workers won't get tangled. Ants may chew, but this is not common, especially in young colonies.
Less prone to mold than cotton.
Sizing/Fit: Currently, we offer sponges for 16mm test tubes. You may notice the sponges are slightly wider than the tube, and this is on purpose! It creates a tighter fit when the sponges are inserted, to lower the flood risk.
Cleanliness: Our sponges are thoroughly washed before being sent out. This ensures you don't have to be concerned about anything within the sponge affecting your ants!
How to set up
Fill the tube about one-third with water.
Insert the sponge into the top of the test tube, making sure its a snug fit.
Push the sponge in until the top is in line with the previous water level, so that the water completely saturates the sponge just barely. Do this slowly and carefully.
If you push it too far and water comes out, simply dry or wait for it to dry, and it's ready for use once there's no standing water in the living area.
From our own tubes
We raise our queens in these same sponges at our lab. So far, they've been used to house dozens of species, and all have grown excellently! These sponges are an amazing alternative to using cotton. Colonies fare well in them for many months or, in some cases, can work well in them for years, so long as the rest of the tube is kept clean.