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How to hibernate?

Started By MegaMyrmex , Oct 18 2017 1:57 PM

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7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted October 18 2017 - 1:57 PM

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637 posts

LocationEllicott City, Maryland

Whatthe title says. I'm thinking about getting one of those reptile egg incubators. I don't have a garage and my basement has a heater so most likely, it will stay warm the entire winter long. I plan on hibernating at the end of octotober or the beginning of november and remove them around the middle or end of february.

Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

#2 Offline T.C. - Posted October 18 2017 - 4:32 PM

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What species is it?

“If I am killed for simply living, let death be kinder than man.” -Althea Davis

#3 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted October 18 2017 - 4:48 PM

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637 posts

LocationEllicott City, Maryland

Crematogaster, formica, lasius, tetramorium, and aphaenogaster. I'm planning to hibernate them at about 40 or 50 degrees Fahrenheit

Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

#4 Offline T.C. - Posted October 18 2017 - 4:52 PM

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3,059 posts

In that case, put them in the fridge... or buy a wine cooler.

“If I am killed for simply living, let death be kinder than man.” -Althea Davis

#5 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted October 18 2017 - 6:53 PM

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637 posts

LocationEllicott City, Maryland

Would putting them in the fridge be safe? I think the temperature for most fridges is around 30ish or so degrees Fahrenheit...

Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

#6 Offline Diesel - Posted October 19 2017 - 3:51 AM

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179 posts

LocationSouthern Maine

ants in the wild are subject to temps below zero F. i have temps -25 degrees F here with little to no snow pack thus the ants that are above the frost line or in logs and such are exposed to these frigid temps. sure some do die but for the most part colonies do surprisingly well. there's ants in Canada that are exposed to temps even lower than that.

rdurham02 likes this

Ant Species kept

Temnothorax Longispinosus.-Journal(discontinued)-(formerly)

Camponotus Noveboracensis (formerly)

Camponotus Nearticus-formerly

Tetramorium sp.-formerly

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Queen & brood.-formerly

Tapinoma Sessile-Journal (3 queen colony)-formerly

Tapinoma Sessile #2 (2 queen colony)-formerly

Aphaenogaster Picea-Journal-active

Crematogaster sp.(Cerasi or Lineolata) Queen with 3 workers and brood-formerly

Crematogaster sp. #2 (Cerasi or Lineolata) Queen with brood-formerly

Formica sp. polygenus-active 300+ workers-active

Formica Subsericea-active 25+ workers-active

Myrmica Rubra 400+ workers 3 queens-active

#7 Offline CNewton - Posted October 19 2017 - 6:03 AM

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118 posts

LocationBatavia, NY

Wine coolers, usually, have a higher temperature setting. If you want to spend the money, a cheap wine fridge will run ~$60. Most can be set from 65F to as low as 40F. Somewhere in the middle would be ideal for ants. And who couldn't use extra cool wine storage!?