ANTSTORE World of Ants

[gu4rd1an]

hello, I'm about to order a colony of lasius niger and I wonder about the period, Is it good to start the breeding of a colony?

[donbilbo]

No its not because they are in hibernation right now.

[gu4rd1an]

So it will be useless ordering a colony unless they're still in hibernation?
Is it the same also if there are more than 10°-15° in my region?

[donbilbo]

Its not about the temperature in your region, its about the region those ants come from. So if they would be in hibernation in germany they still have to be kept in hibernation when you ship them to italy. If you dont they might just die...

[gu4rd1an]

Oh yes, the big mess (i think) would be during the shipping, I don't think the temperature will be "controlled"

[JimmyVe]

The temperature will not be controlled during shipping but it is cold enough outside so the ants stay in hibernation during there trip.

[gu4rd1an]

Yes, the problem is (if i understand) that during the trip the temperature will rise because here it's less cold than in Berlin!

[JimmyVe]

Ah okay. My mistake. Yes it will rise. They don't wake up that soon, so if the temperatures rises a few days (for example: from 6 to 12°c) that isn't really a big problem. If you can put them in a cooler place when they arrive i think they will stay in hibernation just fine.

[gu4rd1an]

oh fine!
I'll have to wait some days, "antstore" advises me that it's better to order on january
well... i'll use these days to finish the nests

[donbilbo]

I guess you still did not understand the facts: You do not have to prepare any nests right now. If you order those ants after christmas you will still have to keep them in hibernation until march 2009. So there is no need to rush anything, in fact you could place your order in 3 months, it does not make a difference if they hibernate in antstore refrigerators or in your fridge in italy. If you order them now and do not continue hibernation in your place they will die, thats what i tried to tell you. Hibernation is keeping ants at 0-5°C for 6 months a year, they dont move, they dont eat, nothing to watch.....

[gu4rd1an]

The main difference is that now I've ended my exams at univeristy and I have a bit of day to relax myself, in the next weeks I'll have to study hard and I don't have much spare time so It's better (for me!) to do much more I can in these days Probably in January I'll have less free time to search information on web about ants & co...

[JimmyVe]

As long if you keep them in hibernation there is no problem at ordering them. Complete your farm and order the ants (in January or March) and wait until spring arrives (and you have finished your exams) and than you can put them in your setup.

[gu4rd1an]

yes, it's my idea