ANTSTORE World of Ants

[needforfreedom]

Its getting close to Hibernation season for european ants!

Does anyone have anything they do before they drop the temperature and let their ants sleep?

It will be my colonys first hibernation.

[JimmyVe]

nothing special i think...

normally i start with it end of October. (for my European ants i try to keep them at the same temperature as outside.) so if it is to warm then i wait a little longer, if it takes to long a place them in another room.

[NuEM]

The thing to keep in mind is don't cool them down too rapidly. Give them at least a week of slowly decreasing temperature. They need this time to prepare for hibernation, and to reduce the amount of water in their bodies. Too much water and ice cristalls will kill them, if the thermometer drops below a certain point.

[needforfreedom]

eek! I will bare that in mind. Does anyone know a website with good in depth info about l.niger type ants?

[Psychosimian]

Er... does anyone know about Camponotus Ligniperda? How do you guys cool it down? Should i put them outside?

[NuEM]

Camponotus ligniperda will "tell" you when it's time for them to hibernate. They will become very inactive and gather together insider their nest. At that point you should start to slowly cool them down, for example by putting them in a cooler room, cellar, shed or outside, as long as it is not too cool. Remeber, they need at least a week of slowly decreasing temperature.

[Psychosimian]

Thanks, its good to know they will tell me when they are ready

From what i understand from other threads I should try and keep them
between 10-15ºC, but Camponotus Ligniperda are meant to be tough so is this a little more flexible with them?

[NuEM]

5-10°C

[Psychosimian]

Well, in that case i'd better hope that they wont move out of the test tube for a month or so and ill just pop that in the fridge... (dont know how happy the gf would be if i tried to put a 30*20*1.8 ant farm in the kitchen fridge....)

Hmmm... I might have to get a mini fridge in that case....

[JimmyVe]

you don't have to put them in the fridge, you can also put them in the basement or other cool rooms. (if you have them)

[maxfly]

Also me I have hear to put in the fridge 8°c i have not cold room....


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Max

[Psychosimian]

If only I had a house not a little flat...

Is it really bad for them to miss a hibernation? Otherwise I think im going to have to get a little fridge....

Is it 3months they sleep for?

[maxfly]

little fridge is good, otherwise I have read this : cellar are suitable for it. If the animals should winter outside on the balcony or the terrace, then a polystyrene box, which is isolated with newsprint, is sufficient. The animals do not have to be fed during the winter peace. However it is to be made certain that the animals are sufficiently damp stored, so that them not dry, e.g. test tube with water reservoir.

--
Max

[Psychosimian]

Thanks for the advice Max

The balcony is a good idea. I might get a polystyrene box and stick it outside - see how cold it gets - but am a little worried that the temperature wont be consistant enough...

[JimmyVe]

as long as it is between 5-10°c its fine

if there in the sand nest (underground) they could take a little more coldness.