Help! Queens won't move to new test tubes!

[Zebesian]

Help! My ant queens won't move to their new test tube set ups!

I have seven queens, mostly tetramorium, and their set ups are super moldy and they are nearly out of water. I attatched new test tubes, wrapped in paper towel to keep them in the shade, and left them under my lamp over night. None of them moved! Now I moved them to a windowsill hoping the natural light would make a difference but so far none of them seem interested.

I keep them in the dark and only check them once a week, so I don't know why it isnt bugging them. What do I dooo? I know I'm not supposed to just dump them and their brood in. I'm stumped.

[AntsRule]

Yeah, don't dump them, as long as the cotton is not completely black with mold and spreading onto the queen and brood there fine. They will move when they know they need to.

[Zebesian]

Okay- should I just keep the tubes connected and put them back in the dark? Check on them again next week?

[AntsRule]

Expose the old tube to light if you want, just don't cook them.

[Cartil]

I would leave them in peace for now. They know when they'll need to move. If they are not, that means they are fine where they are.