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Gary D: Where to place heat mat (31. Aug 2007 10:21)

Hi,

I have an Antstore starter kit 30 x 20 which has a basin and nest area connected by a clear tube. I keep A.Senilis which enjoy warm temperatures (my flat is only about 20c-22c), they seem to have slowed down since the weather has dropped off a little - thus I bought a heat mat 11' x 6' (7w).

Everymorning I wake to find all the ants, queen included (with eggs etc) have moved into the tube, then later in the day they move back into the nest area again! Im putting this down to temperature.

My ants are still not touching any liquid food (honey, sugar, jam) and only seem interested in insects (Other owners of this spec. have discovered the same) - actually very little foraging is being done which again I have put down to temperature.

Should I place this under the basin , or, under the nest area? Further to this maybe I should arrange it so both have half each?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions / advise 8)

JimmyVe: (31. Aug 2007 14:39)

I try to heat up both a bit (for species who need it) For these species the temperature outside should be about 25-30°c and in the nest about 20-25°c (if i'm not mistaken) If you place a heat mat on the nest make sure you only cover up half the nest, so if it gets to warm the ants can go to a colder place.

miszt: (31. Aug 2007 14:43)

dont place the heater under the nest, you will dry it out very quickly, best place is on one side of the basin, but as Jimmy says, only one part of the nest should b heated