FredeP: Hibernate (24. Sep 2007 18:45)

Hey

I'm from Denmark and shall Lasius n iger go in hibernate?

Kiam: (24. Sep 2007 18:55)

look outside if you have L asius niger colonies and if you see none then they have started hibernating probably so you should when they do or in your own time ;)

tail__: (24. Sep 2007 19:27)

Yes, all north european species need this for their health. They don't need to hibernate so long as they do in nature (3-4 months, sometimes even 6 months, like in northern Russia or Scandinavia) but at least a month yearly.

JimmyVe: (25. Sep 2007 15:02)

In deed, they need it.

@tail__: i think a month is rather short. I would say at least 3-4 months for Central European ants and 2-4 months for South European ants.

4mykids: (25. Sep 2007 15:26)

Hello JimmyVe - Hello all,

Looks like most here have gone into hibernation - don't see a lot of threads to read :)

My carpenter ants look to be going to hibernate as well... I have a great new plaster formicarium I completed a few weeks ago and will post pics of.

They have about a dozen yellow eggs (really small). They ahve been that way for a while now - I think I may lose them, any thoughts?

I keep then temp at about 80 degrees during the day and 60 at night on a 12/12 cycle. Even with these temps, they still have slowed down considerably. They don't eat much - how much should I feed them during this period? One Queen and about 8 workers in both colonies.

Thanks in advance. Will send pics soon.

Kiam: (25. Sep 2007 15:54)

most off eggs die in hibernation i am told...

miszt: (25. Sep 2007 16:10)

this is another reason to hibernate slowly, the queen will break her egg laying cycle and the eggs have a little more chance to reach larave stage and therefore a lil more chance to survive :)

sithmaster676: (25. Sep 2007 19:15)

yeah larva stage is the only brood stage that survives hibernation but u colonies can not have to hibernate for at least a month yet
Sithmaster676

badman: (27. Sep 2007 00:51)

how can you tell when they are hibernating? my colony are quite inactive anyway. How will i be able to tell between hibernating and dead?

Purifier: (27. Sep 2007 07:17)

Hibernation starts between oktober and november i think.....and how you can see if they are dead? Hmm. When they dont move even you touch them :D
No i cant say how you can see a different between hibernation and dying, sorry.