How to Remove Cotton from Old Test Tubes - AntsCanada Tutorial #3

Summary

In this tutorial, Mikey Boos from Ants Canada demonstrates a simple trick for removing cotton from test tubes used for housing queen ants and starting colonies. He suggests using a broken barbecue skewer to create spiky fibers, which can then be used to twist and pull out the cotton effectively. Additionally, he recommends the use of 'Pus Stone ant nests' for a more permanent setup and advises on how to reuse and disinfect test tubes to prevent mold and bacteria. This practical guide aims to help ant enthusiasts save on test tubes and maintain a healthy environment for their colonies.

Takeaways

• 🌞 The video is a tutorial by AntsCanada, also known as Mikey Boos, aimed at helping those who use test tubes for housing queen ants and starting colonies.
• 🔧 Test tubes are not ideal for housing ants due to the need for frequent changes and susceptibility to mold, as shown in the video.
• 🍢 A useful trick for removing cotton from test tubes is demonstrated using a barbecue skewer, which is broken to create spiky fibers for better grip.
• 🔄 The skewer technique involves twisting and pushing into the cotton to grab and pull it out, working effectively for both wet and dry cotton.
• 👑 AntsCanada recommends transitioning queens to a different setup rather than continuing with test tubes, as vendors rarely provide suitable setups for gravid queens.
• 🏠 The 'Pus Stone Ant Nest' is a product offered by AntsCanada that has been successful for raising gravid queens and starting colonies.
• 🔄 Test tubes can be reused after proper disinfection, such as boiling, to eliminate bacteria and mold.
• ♻️ The video ends with a humorous note on recycling, emphasizing the environmental aspect of reusing materials like the barbecue skewer.
• 📢 The tutorial is intended to help viewers save on test tubes and improve their ant housing methods.
• 🎶 The video features a playful, catchy tune that repeats throughout, creating a memorable and engaging experience for the audience.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the tutorial in the video script?

The main purpose of the tutorial is to teach viewers how to remove cotton from a test tube after transferring ants to a new one, as well as to provide an alternative to using test tubes for housing queen ants and starting colonies.

What are some drawbacks of using test tubes for housing ants mentioned in the script?

The drawbacks include the need to change the test tubes frequently, and the tendency for them to become moldy over time.

What tool does the tutorial recommend for removing cotton from a test tube?

The tutorial recommends using a barbecue skewer, broken to create spiky fibers, to twist and pull the cotton out of the test tube.

How does the barbecue skewer help in removing the cotton from the test tube?

The skewer is used to create a hooking action by twisting it towards the corner of the cotton while pushing inwards, which allows the cotton to be pulled out.

What is the alternative setup recommended by the speaker for housing queen ants and starting colonies?

The speaker recommends using a setup called the 'Pus Stone ant nest' available at the Ants Canada store, which has been successful for raising gravid queens and starting colonies.

Why might someone prefer to use the 'Pus Stone ant nest' instead of test tubes?

The 'Pus Stone ant nest' is suggested as a better alternative because it is specifically designed for housing gravid queens and starting colonies, unlike test tubes which are not ideal for these purposes.

Can test tubes be reused after removing the cotton and cleaning them?

Yes, test tubes can be reused after boiling or disinfecting them to remove bacteria and mold.

What sound does the speaker make at the end of the tutorial to signify recycling?

The speaker makes a sound similar to 'hey hey hey' to signify recycling, indicating the environmental aspect of reusing materials.

What is the name of the person providing the tutorial in the video script?

The person providing the tutorial is known as Ants Canada, also referred to as Mikey Boos.

What is the significance of the phrase 'three is a charm' mentioned in the script?

The phrase 'three is a charm' is used to emphasize the effectiveness of the 'Pus Stone ant nest' as a reliable and successful setup for raising ants.

How does the tutorial address the issue of test tubes getting moldy?

The tutorial suggests that test tubes can be cleaned and disinfected to remove mold, and also promotes the use of the 'Pus Stone ant nest' as a mold-free alternative.

Outlines

00:00

🐜 Ants Canada Tutorial on Test Tube Maintenance

Mikey from Ants Canada introduces a tutorial on how to manage test tubes used for housing ant queens and starting colonies. He highlights the drawbacks of test tubes, such as the need for frequent changes and the tendency to mold. Mikey explains a method to remove cotton from used test tubes using a broken barbecue skewer. This method involves twisting and pushing the skewer into the cotton to pull it out. Mikey emphasizes the importance of reusing test tubes by cleaning and disinfecting them, sharing his preference for immediate setup with 'pus Stone ant nests' for gravid queens.

Keywords

💡test tubes

Test tubes are small cylindrical glass containers commonly used in laboratories for experiments. In the context of this video, test tubes are used as a temporary housing for queen ants during the initial stages of a new colony. The script mentions that test tubes need to be changed often due to mold and other drawbacks, indicating their use in ant keeping.

💡cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy material derived from the cotton plant. In the video, cotton is used as a lining in the test tubes to provide a comfortable environment for the queen ants. The script discusses the process of removing cotton from test tubes, which is a crucial step in transitioning ants to a new environment.

💡barbecue skewer

A barbecue skewer is a long, thin metal or wooden rod used for holding pieces of food together while grilling. In this video, the barbecue skewer is repurposed as a tool for removing cotton from test tubes. The script describes how to break the skewer to create spiky fibers, which helps in grabbing and pulling out the cotton.

💡mold

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditions. The video mentions that test tubes can get moldy, which is a problem for ant keepers as it can be harmful to the ants. The script suggests that test tubes need to be cleaned or disinfected to remove mold.

💡gravid queens

Gravid queens are female ants that are ready to lay eggs and start a new colony. The video script refers to the process of transferring gravid queens from test tubes to a more permanent setup, which is a critical step in ant colony management.

💡ant vendors

Ant vendors are businesses that sell ants and related products, such as test tubes and setups for housing ants. The script mentions that many ant vendors recommend test tubes for housing gravid queens, but the speaker prefers a different setup.

💡pus Stone ant nest

The pus Stone ant nest is a specific type of ant housing setup mentioned in the video. It is a product sold by Ants Canada, which the speaker recommends for raising gravid queens and starting colonies. The script suggests that this setup is more successful than test tubes for these purposes.

💡recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. In the context of the video, recycling refers to the reuse of test tubes after cleaning and disinfecting them. The script emphasizes the importance of reusing materials in ant keeping to save resources.

💡disinfect

Disinfecting is the process of cleaning and removing harmful microorganisms from surfaces. The video script suggests that test tubes should be disinfected to eliminate bacteria and mold, ensuring a healthy environment for the ants.

💡colony

A colony in the context of ants refers to a group of ants living together and working as a unit. The video is focused on the process of starting a new ant colony by transferring gravid queens from test tubes to a more suitable environment.

💡transitioning

Transitioning in this video refers to the process of moving ants from one environment to another, specifically from test tubes to a new setup. The script discusses the challenges and techniques involved in this process, such as removing cotton and choosing the right setup for the ants.

Highlights

Introduction to a tutorial on removing cotton from test tubes used for housing queen ants and starting colonies.

Mention of the drawbacks of using test tubes, such as the need for frequent changes and susceptibility to mold.

A trick for removing cotton from test tubes using a barbecue skewer with broken, spiky fibers.

Demonstration of twisting and pushing the barbecue skewer into the cotton to grab and pull it out.

The effectiveness of the method on both wet and dry cotton.

Preference for placing queens into a setup immediately rather than using test tubes.

Introduction of the 'Pus Stone Ant Nest' as a successful setup for raising gravid queens and starting colonies.

Advocacy for reusing test tubes after proper disinfection to save resources.

The sound of recycling as a metaphor for reusing and breaking the barbecue skewer when needed.

The tutorial's aim to help viewers save on test tubes and improve ant care.

A playful outro with a repeated 'hey' sound as a signature of the tutorial.

The importance of maintaining hygiene by disinfecting test tubes to remove bacteria and mold.

The versatility of the barbecue skewer as a tool for various tasks in ant care.

The tutorial's focus on practical solutions for common problems faced by ant keepers.

The presentation of the 'Ants Canada' store as a source for ant care products and setups.

The emphasis on the threefold success of using the 'Pus Stone Ant Nest' for ant colonies.

The tutorial's conclusion with a reminder of its goal to assist and educate viewers.

Transcripts

I be a sunshine you can be mine you be

my windsh I got the r we have a good

time make up your mind hold me girl it's

so

fine girl just let me be there for

you hey guys what's up it's your boy

ants Canada uh AKA Mikey Boos today I

wanted to do a short tutorial that might

help a lot of you out there who use test

tubes to to house your queens and

starting colonies not my favorite there

are a lot of U drawbacks you know

they've got to be changed very often and

they get pretty moldy sometimes like

this so I wanted to do a tutorial on how

to remove the cotton from your test tube

after you've switched your ants over to

a new test tube I know a lot of you have

this problem where you can't really

scoop the cotton out well I'm about to

tell you a trick you take your trusty

barbecue

skewer which helps me in so many ways

and you break it break your barbecue

skewer Till There are like spiky fibers

like so you take your barbecue skewer

and you go towards the corner of the

cotton and you twist while pushing

inwards and what that'll do is it'll

grab some cotton which will allow you to

pull the cotton

out ah like magic see that works on both

wet and dry

cotton now I

personally prefer putting my Queens into

a setup right away um not too many ant

vendors online sell setups that you can

put gravid Queens in they usually just

recommend test tubes um but at the ants

Canada store we s

What's called the pus Stone ant nest and

I've had lots of success with raising

gravid queens and um starting colonies

off in those pmus

nests uh so it

worked three's three is a charm you

don't have

to throw away your test tubes because

you can reuse these just you know boil

them or disinfect them and

whatnot uh you know to get all the

bacteria and mold and that sort of thing

out of there eventually the barbecue

skewer fibers we out so you need to

break it

again hear that that's the sound of

recycling so this has been an an Canada

tutorial video thank you guys so much

and I hope this helps you guys out and

helps you save on test dupes

everybody here that that's the sound of

recycling hey hey hey hey hey hey hey

hey hey heyy