sithmaster676: (3. Okt 2007 20:49)

when a queen digs her nest and begins to produce her eggs this is a long time away from hibernation is most cases i have had my L asius niger queens for maybe a month and a half and her brood turn into workers very quickly and do most first stage workers
Sithmaster676

JimmyVe: (5. Okt 2007 17:15)

In deed they first workers are already hatched before they go in hibernation.

sithmaster676: (6. Okt 2007 12:36)

they usually hatch a few weeks before hibernation so that the new colony can forage and raise there fat levels to survive the winter hibernation
Sithmaster676

miszt: (6. Okt 2007 18:35)

depends on the species of ant, and when the nuptial flights occoured, most ant colonys will have 2nd generation workers at least by the time hibernation starts

jimjam: (19. Jan 2008 19:45)

Hi, just a quick question, i am going to receive my L asius niger colony any day now. Do i let them hibernate or let them stay awake. I bought them from antstore so i dont know what conditions they are kept there! Plus they will be cold during delivery so would they already have gone into hibernation?

Thanks

SteveUK28: (19. Jan 2008 19:54)

Hi Jimjam, antstore have more than likely put them into hibernation, so i would keep them in hibernation if i was you. It will also give you time to get there setup ready.

kashmir79: (19. Jan 2008 20:59)

They would of been in hibernation since october time, and still probaly are. they wont properly wake until they decide. it should be about march time when the clocks go forward, and the temperatures rise :D

ashhad1: (19. Jan 2008 21:18)

Also just put the ants in the fridge wen there in the test tube. (make sure tho the temp of the fridge isnt too low

JimmyVe: (20. Jan 2008 11:52)

Hello jimjam and welcome,

in deed, they are probably in hibernation (antstore keeps them in from about October till March) so if they arrive they still are a sleep. Keep them in a cold place (somewhere between 0-10°c) and wake them up slowly in March.