Test tube mold?

[Doclesko1]

Hello!

I have a few queens caught this past summer — mostly camponotus from SW Vermont, and their cotton ball water blockers have grown a lot of black looking mold (I think). They’re losing their nanitics and I am concerned, going to attempt a test tube move asap before more damage is done.

I use these organic cotton balls (mistake?) and water from my sink (Vermont water is clean, should I use my purifier instead? And would alkaline water be better than plain water?) and I wonder what I am doing wrong or could be doing differently for the safety of my ants.

Thank you!

[Angelants2012]

What temperature do you keep them in?

[Angelants2012]

Also, don't worry about the nanitics. Camponotus are slow growing species and the queen sometimes don't lay eggs up to months.

[Doclesko1]

Room temperature in a dark closet, so 60-70 ish.

Also, no issue with organic cotton balls?