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aka ant: Re: Aka's ants (22. Sep 2008 21:34)

Most of my colonies are doing great. The slave maker colony seems to be getting sick, think its from mold. I moved them a 3rd time into a testtube with the hope with will live.
Most brood of Tetramorium c colony are born pushing them near 500 workers :D .
Camponotus chromaiodes colony has a large batch of brood. Im not sure If I want to hibernate them for a short period or at all. I have had many problems with hibernation, Any tips on hibernation?
camp6.jpg
camp7.jpg
The setup I keep them in is great! No mold problems and only 1 death since I moved them in.
Picture211-2.jpg
I built them a much larger setup that I hope to move them into next summer.
Not finished.
Picture3531.jpg

JimmyVe: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 16:35)

Setup looks nice, what do you use ? Plaster ?

Tips for hibernation, slow down the temperature slowly. That way the ants can adjust much better to the cold. Make sure the nest stays moist during hibernation so the ants don't dry out.

Skippy: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 17:22)

jimmy got true ... but what do you mean short period of hibernation? do you think hibernate them for small time? ... that is not good idea , I experimented this one at times when I started with ants only , and always it is not good , some species can get it as Lasius ... but Camponotus do not like it , your queen will not get too much eggs and she could to see like sick , then die :( (not always , but shotrter hibernation time - shorter life of queen which need that hibernation)

aka ant: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 17:52)

ok, thanks! The setups are made from plaster of paris.

Skippy: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 18:36)

remember ... nest from plaster of paris is useable only for small colony of Camponotus , which not contain media-majors yet :) , then you need to use some other type of material , because one day you can wake up and from your formicarium will be emental cheese :D

JimmyVe: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 19:18)

@ Skippy: ? I never told to shorten the hibernation period. ;) I only said to slow down the temperature slowly so the ants can adjust to the temperature.

Skippy: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 20:11)

I´ve readen it over his pictures by him ;) , not by you ... be careful :D

JimmyVe: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 20:20)

:oops: okay, now i see it, i think i read over it. ;)

Skippy is wright, don't hibernate them for a short period, you need to give them the hibernation they need. (like they would do in the wild) That is always better for your colony and your queen. She needs this period to rest so she can lay much eggs next season. ;)

aka ant: Re: Aka's ants (23. Sep 2008 23:31)

I will keep them in my basement where the temperature drops to 10-15 C during winter.

JimmyVe: Re: Aka's ants (24. Sep 2008 15:27)

Seems good. Go check on them a few times, to see if they hibernate because 15°c is a little high. Also don't forget to check on the water, the nest must be kept moist.


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