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Tetramorium burying themselves. Time to hibernate?

Started By mike.omeg , Oct 17 2017 6:47 AM

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#1 Offline mike.omeg - Posted October 17 2017 - 6:47 AM

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LocationThe Dalles, OR, USA

Sorry for what may be a noob question. But my Tetramorium sp E are burying and sealing themselves into a corner of their formicarium. The colony is small: queen and 5 workers plus brood. I brushed the sand aside and within a day they had rebuilt their shelter. Is this a sign they need to hibernate? I was going to put them in a wine cooler Nov 1. Shall I do so now? Pics below. Thanks!

http://www.formicult...ing-themselves/

Edited by mike.omeg, October 17 2017 - 7:09 AM.

#2 Offline T.C. - Posted October 17 2017 - 7:15 AM

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This is normal for small colonies like this, and it likely has nothing at all to do with hibernation. When a colony is small, they generally I guess feel safer in small places. To them that nest is huge, and way too open to be safe. So, they are actually just trying to build a small chamber to hide in. They will continue to do this until the colony is larger.