Hi,
im going to hibernate my Lasius flavus queen and brood, and because im new to hibernating i need some tips on how to do it. can anny one help me out?
Hello there
you should slowly reduce the temperature to around 5-10 degrees.
this is so the queen can prepare for hibernation. A good place to put the queen is in the fridge, as it is on average 5 degrees. Unfortunately, only laravae will survive, but dont worry once the queen comes out of hibernation shell be layings lots of eggs.
please ask anything else you need help with
thanks Sced, but do i put her into the fridge strait away or do i (some how) slowly lower the tempriture? and i have had her for a few months aswell and she dos'ny eat anyting. will she survive with an empty stumache?
No, dont put her in the fridge straigt away
Im not too sure about gradually putting the temparture down sorry, someone else ill know :)
When in hibernation, ants do not need to eat, but they still need water. I reccomend you feed her before hibernation, it will do her good.
ok, thanks. i'll do that now, bye.
hmm... you people need to start reading some old posts.
Anyway, for a hundred time... bring the temperature down gradually. Meaning if they are now at room temperature (20 - 25 oC) put them somewhere where temperatrure is 10 - 15 oC. I don't know, some unheated hall or room in the house, maybe basment. Leave them there for a weak or two and then put them in fridge where the temperature is 5 - 10 oC. That is ideal for hibernating. You don't have to feed ants with anything at this time. Preparing for hibernation means that ants empty their stomach and reduce the amount of water in the body. Doing so the level of salt in body rises and so ants can survive temperatures below 0 oC without freezing. Like Sced said. Water is imprtant during the hibernation. Most of ants die during the hibernation due to lack of water or if there is too much water so they drown. Keep the antfarm damp also when in fridge. You don't have to water is as often as water in fridge don't vapour as much as on room temperature.
Good luck
It is true, this topic is discussed a several times. First look around at the forum before you ask something. ;)
isn't it a bit late to let them hibernate ? My Lasius flavus are in hibernation from end October. but better late than never. Try to keep them in hibernation for a few months now.
your right is is a bit late, i kind of fogot, oh well, better late than never.
your right is is a bit late, i kind of fogot, oh well, better late than never.
that is true ;) just try to keep them in hibernation till end of march.
Happy antkeeping.