ANTSTORE World of Ants

[sithmaster676]

hi
my lasius niger colony arrived about 4 weeks ago, i placed the test tube into my tank and feed them and left them to do there work they blocked the test tube entrance half way so they could get in and out then suddenly the whole entrance was blocked and there is now no way for them to get out.
i dont think it is because they are hibernating as i have an heating lamp on them through the course of the day which keeps them at roughly between 10 and 20 degrees c
any suggestions would be appreciatted
Sithmaster676

[mpir]

By reading some of the old topics you would really learn alot.

Nevertheless, no need to worry. You must understand that in nature the biggest enemy of a new colony are ants themselfs. They don't like competition so most of the species will kill or enslave other ants in area. So until the new colony is big enough they will block themselfs underground and stay hidden. No need to worry. Small colonies don't need a lot of energy. It's a small sistem if you want. As long as they have water they'll be fine. And if they block the entrance they can sure unblock it if they want.

[JimmyVe]

no comment to that

Mpir is right, you don't have to worry yet. but like i sad, wouldn't you consider hibernation ? (i now the colony is very young, but in nature they are to now)

Greets

[NuEM]

It might very well be they try to hibernate despite you keeping them warm. Either way it would be the best for you and them to just put them into hibernation. They need hibernation to grow next year.

[sithmaster676]

hi all
thanks for all the replies i hav a heating lamp on them at the moment which turns on roughly 6:45 am and turns off at 5:15 pm should i make it so the light is not on as long through the day to slowly decrease the temp or just turn it off completely.
and also i dont hav to worry about water as there is a lot of condensation inside the tank cause they are kept in my outside shed
Sithmaster676

[mpir]

Bring down temprerature gradually. If the temperature in shed is low when the light is off, then I guess it makes no point to keeping it on.

[JimmyVe]

indeed you have to bring the temperature down slowly.

[sithmaster676]

hi all
i now have placed a blanket over the top of the tank to make sure it doesntget a frost in there
which will make me feel better as frost will not enter the tank
thanks for the replies
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

That is a good idea Sithmaster676, normally ant survive temperature below 0 but I'm not found of it nether i try to keep them between 5 and 10°c.

[sithmaster676]

hi all
t 2 think this is a good idea as my colony is only small (about 15 ants strong including queen) so it is properly best to make sure that it does stay at a nice temperature seeming that my tank is kept outside. (in my shed which gets really but not cold enough to frost)

[sithmaster676]

hi all
i am graduallly lower the amount of time that the heater lamp is now on i am going to try and get it down to it turns on at midday and turns off at 2 pm this will at least give them some time where there is light in the tank.
tell me wot u think
Sithmaster676

[mpir]

You are going the right way. I think by now you should already noticed reduced activity of the colony. When you'll see that they hardly ever move then they are hibernating for sure. Don't worry about the light. Most of ants like dark places.

[JimmyVe]

Your ants are outdoors, i thought. so you don't have to worry about the light, they get plenty of light during the day.

[sithmaster676]

hi all
thnx 4 the replies, on wot jimmyve said i hav my tank outside in a shed which has extremely limited light entering due 2 the position of the sun during the winter periods when spring comes the light will not be needed
Sithmaster676

[JimmyVe]

okay now we can follow. it wont hurt them, they light i mean.