Technical Abstract: Existing literature, experimental evidence, and expert myrmecological advice were used to make recommendations on the use of alcohol for the study of ants. We killed and stored Solenopsis invicta, Camponotus floridanus, and Dorymyrmex bureni workers in isopropanol and ethanol at a variety of concentrations over different lengths of time. We then compared specimen condition and amenability to manipulation for mounting on card points. Specimens stored in either 95% isopropanol or ethanol for time periods longer than 24 hours produced the best specimens. Additionally, a literature review revealed that DNA is best preserved in 95 ' 100% ethanol due to the ability of ethanol to more rapidly penetrate cellular membranes and deactivate DNase activity than other primary alcohols. Therefore, we recommend that specimens intended for mounting or DNA extraction should be killed and stored in 95% ethanol. The mechanisms of alcohol preservation and numerous other killing and preservation techniques relevant to the study of ants are also discussed.