ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Sphecomyrmex]

Hi,
I'ld want know if Lasius niger's small colonies need indeed a period of hibernation...
I've a colony of 70 workers, and the last winter i have not put them in hibernation...
If a period of hibernation is essential for this species, could i put my colony in hibernation now in January?

I ask the same question for Lasius emarginatus, tetramorium caespitum and Plagiolepis pygmaea...

I've another question: do alone queens (that haven't lay eggs) need hibernation? And do queens that have only eggs need hibernation?

Thanks

[Skippy]

It is available to keep these species without hibernation , but it is better to get them into lower temps for min 1 month. Probably you checked , they can lay eggs and have brood also without hibernation. Yes they can , but queen need to rest and get new power to new year. You can see some queens do not lay eggs , because they are waiting for winter. I can say , I also had for this year only 2 months hibernating for my Lasius queens and small colonies , because it is better for them - more time to make colony and be ready in spring.
This is possible for most of European species and much of keepers do it so. But do not do it with Camponotus , because theirs queens do not like it and she can die , and eggs production is fatal lower.
So hibernate them all , better to have healthy colonies as this , plagiolepis too. Is only January for now , so to half of February or up to March , lot of time

[Sphecomyrmex]

Thanks very much

I was really worried because i tought i had make a big mistake don't putting lasius niger in hibernation
I've hibernate only my camponotus, myrmica rubra, formica fusca and messor, in late november.

Then i will hibernate also my lasius colonies, that now have only small larvae. But i'm still uncertain if hibernate also a Crematogaster queen that have her firsts eggs...Among four Crematogaster queens collected on September, it's the only that have lay eggs. It's dangerous hibernate eggs, isn't it? Must i wait that eggs are developed into larvae, or could i hibernate queen and eggs immediately?

[JimmyVe]

Ants that hibernate in nature need hibernation in captivity to. If you don't do that you only will shorten the live experience of the queen. Don't keep them out of hibernation to make the colony grow faster. I think you all know that you need patience to keep ants.

[Skippy]

It is not dangerous hibernate eggs , it will not die. Also , as I said , it is able first year not to hibernate , but only when you can´t or so ... , you have to do that like Jimmy and me wrote , you´re making queen´s live shorter.