ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Flan]

You can feed the second queen, but don't have to. You can hibernate her in the next year( L. niger in northern Africa can live without hibernation-correct me if I'm wrong ). You can hibernate her in february if you wish. It is risky to hibernate queen without workers.

[sithmaster676]

im pretty sure that lasius niger can live without any hibernation but it drastically reduces the queen life and her egg laying abilities, but it is ok to hibernate a queen without workers as long as she is fed lots before hibernation period.
Sithmaster676

[Dr.House]

im pretty sure that lasius niger can live without any hibernation but it drastically reduces the queen life and her egg laying abilities

okay ... for me that sounds like you have to hibernate. I've read that some queens died after the first year without hibernation ... that's what i call "drastically reduces the queens life"

[sithmaster676]

no they can survive without hibernation for 1 year thats fine but it is best not to do it anymore after that what i mean but reducing the queens life is that a lasius niger queen has lived for 19 years in a lab but without hibernation they last around 4-5 so it reduces her life but a lot
Sithmaster676

[badman]

anyone know if Camponotus ligniperda or herculaneus require hibernation? This means disrupting my nests by moving them and I dont want to do it unless totally necessary.

[Purifier]

Yeah both Camponotus species need hibernation. Only exotic ants (like Camponotus spec. from Malaysia or Laos) can live without hibernation.

[Alby]

and what kind of feed is better for my L.Niger queen without workers, honey or insect??
I've to open the test tube to give her food, can I disturb her???

[Purifier]

The queen need both. Honey for her and insects for the protein what is for the eggs.