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bowier: New Lasius niger colony! (22. Jan 2010 01:35)

Hey, I will be getting a new L asius niger colony at the beginning of february (if shipping is efficient enough... fingers crossed)

I'm wondering what I should be doing as soon as i get them; I know that i need to make sure they keep hibernating by putting them in the fridge at about 5 degrees C. I'll be getting a queen with a couple of workers hopefully and I was planning on putting them in a tub in my fridge and opening the test tube so they can roam about and have some food in there... my main query is whether they actually need food in the middle of hibernation?

also on a side note, the amount of info in this forum is obscene! so thanks a lot, all this info is making me even more excited to begin my own colony!

Cheers in advance!

bowier: Re: New Lasius Niger colony! (22. Jan 2010 16:35)

spent a bit more time perusing the forum and I have gathered that I probably won't need to feed them, but at the beginning of march when they should be coming out of hibernation should i put them at about 15 or something before i bring them up to room temperature? still not clear on that... :/

JimmyVe: Re: New Lasius niger colony! (25. Jan 2010 20:13)

Hello Bowier and welcome.

Yep, they don't need food during hibernation.

When waking them up from hibernation you need to do it slowly. A few degrees a week. Once they are fully awake you can keep them at room temperature.

Good luck.