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antman1994: Lasius niger Hibernation (8. Jan 2009 20:58)

Hello.

Now I know that you can keep Lasius niger ants in a small container (such as a test tube) in the fridge for winter because it's only about 3oC, but what happens when the tank gets bigger, perhaps around 45cm long and 15cm wide?? It's been getting to -5oC where I live and two nights ago it was -12oC. There is no way they can survive in the shed outside. I could put them in another room (exept the bathroom, nowhere to put it) but when the heating is on im sure everywhere gets above 10oC.

What options do I have?

tail__: Re: Lasius Niger Hibernation q's. (8. Jan 2009 21:08)

Hmm, buy a larger fridge? I have a rather small one and my formicariums 40*30cm fit well. Maybe you should build a formicarium with arena connected to the nest with a pipe, this way you can disconnect it and put only the nest into fridge.

jartok: Re: Lasius niger Hibernation (9. Jan 2009 12:58)

you can put them outside u just need a heat mat with a thermostate set at 5c thats what im doing and its all good long as electric dont go happened few times but realise within few houres

antman1994: Re: Lasius niger Hibernation (9. Jan 2009 22:02)

How can I get electric outside in a beat up shed? :L

jartok: Re: Lasius niger Hibernation (9. Jan 2009 23:08)

I put an external outside socket outside with a trip switch on inside and extension lead to the shed. although when i sort roof and get it done in couple weeks ill have a hole driled through from living room connect in the plug there and directly into shed so no extension