Dirty water plug cotton

[DVeljacic]

I would appreciate any advice and observations on this, please

My young Lasius sp colonies are still in test tubes. They prefer to drop their waste on the water plug cotton, rather than discarding it in the outworld. This, of course, makes the cotton go quite glarky rather quickly.

How can I encourage them to use the outworld for trash?
How often is too often to change their tubes?

I hope everyone is having an awesome awesome

[larynx]

the cotton plug may be a little loose, or may be being moved too much. sometimes they will try and cover moisture or liquids with stuff to soak it up.
1) i have a couple of colonies that use the test tube for trash, then move it out when more is to be placed there. then i have my biggest colony, they take it out to a certain area every time now. be patient, they may start doing it on there own. if it gets too dirty like really gross, just get them to move to a fresh tube.
2) im not sure what would be too often. but dont stress them unless you absolutely have to. i change out tubes when i see any big mold blooms. ive heard some people say they never change theirs until the water is all gone. ive also heard people change them very regularly.

[DVeljacic]

Thank-You Larynx, I really appreciate Your help on this.
Have a great one

[larynx]

anytime.