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tomorrownight: Ants in the Fridge (6. Okt 2009 09:12)

i was concerned that as this year it has kept warm so late, i didnt want to hibernate my Nigers outside in the shed incase they woke up half way through the winter because the temperature had risen above 12'c (is that correct?). So i have checked the temperature of the fridge for a few days and it is at a constant 4'c, so i was wondering if the best thing to do would be to wrap them up (its only a queen and 3 workers) and put them in the fridge and wake them up again in spring.

(i just need to check with my wife first if she is ok with this!!)

also, could anyone help me with the temperatures for hibernation please? min and max (i know 0'c kills them!)

hador: Re: Ants in the Fridge (6. Okt 2009 14:32)

also, could anyone help me with the temperatures for hibernation please? min and max (i know 0'c kills them!)
min.5°C max.8°C

Messorus: Re: Ants in the Fridge (6. Okt 2009 14:53)

I have exp with minimaly 3°C, max 12 :)

Kale^^: Re: Ants in the Fridge (6. Okt 2009 19:34)

I usually keep mine at 4-10°C. They wont die until at 0°C but i wouldnt advice on keeping them under 3-4°C for longer period of time.

SteveUK28: Re: Ants in the Fridge (7. Okt 2009 16:40)

No i keep mine just under 10°C aswell, i wouldnt want to keep them any lower than say 5°C for a long period of time.

tomorrownight: Re: Ants in the Fridge (9. Okt 2009 16:30)

hey, also, do i need to keep the nest moist as usual during hibernation?

MorbidMike: Re: Ants in the Fridge (9. Okt 2009 17:48)

hey, also, do i need to keep the nest moist as usual during hibernation?
You have to make sure the nest is moist, as usual. The temperature does not matter: if the ants need a moist environment they will die if it is not.

tomorrownight: Re: Ants in the Fridge (9. Okt 2009 20:57)

surely the temperature is really important during hibernation,

so i will spray every two days then!

JimmyVe: Re: Ants in the Fridge (11. Okt 2009 13:26)

Never kept mine in the fridge but i know some people who did (or do) and they don't have problems with it.
If they are in a tube you don't need to spay it, if you keep them in a farm i would spray that 2 times a week (or so) you need to see if the sand is moist, don't make it to wet.