17 replies to this topic

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

After an accident involving a heating mat and two queens, I have been trying to find alternative heating methods that don't include mats/cords. Would some pipe insulation fit to the size of the tubes work? It would also work as a shield for any extra light that manages to get through and cause the colony less stress. If you have any ideas or ways of heating a colony you have tried please let me know!

 

 

I want to find a new heating method because I do not trust myself to heat ants with mats or cords anymore. Also, it went down to 68 today here in Wisconsin so I don't want my ants to go into early diapause. Thanks!

[Roy3]

The question is what kind of set up do you have them in. Test tube set up, formicarium, dirt habitat or big tank? Size/dimensions would help us figure this out.

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[PacificNorthWestern]

air heaters would work

[Roy3]

Oh I got it. Forgot the part of "tube". Have you tried a reptile heating cable? 15 watt, and keeping it to the dry cotton end, placed away about an inch.

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Edited by Roy3, August 23 2019 - 3:09 PM.

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

air heaters would work

I assume you mean an air heater for the entire room they are kept in?

[Silq]

After an accident involving a heating mat and two queens, I have been trying to find alternative heating methods that don't include mats/cords. Would some pipe insulation fit to the size of the tubes work? It would also work as a shield for any extra light that manages to get through and cause the colony less stress. If you have any ideas or ways of heating a colony you have tried please let me know!


I want to find a new heating method because I do not trust myself to heat ants with mats or cords anymore. Also, it went down to 68 today here in Wisconsin so I don't want my ants to go into early diapause. Thanks!

Pipe insulation would not work. Ants are cold blooded and if the room is cold, this would just slow down heat transfer. What you need is a heater controlled by thermometer. Look at Amazon for products that help germinate seeds. You plug a heater into the thermometer and it regulates the output based on the reading so you don't cook your babies.

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[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

 

After an accident involving a heating mat and two queens, I have been trying to find alternative heating methods that don't include mats/cords. Would some pipe insulation fit to the size of the tubes work? It would also work as a shield for any extra light that manages to get through and cause the colony less stress. If you have any ideas or ways of heating a colony you have tried please let me know!


I want to find a new heating method because I do not trust myself to heat ants with mats or cords anymore. Also, it went down to 68 today here in Wisconsin so I don't want my ants to go into early diapause. Thanks!

Pipe insulation would not work. Ants are cold blooded and if the room is cold, this would just slow down heat transfer. What you need is a heater controlled by thermometer. Look at Amazon for products that help germinate seeds. You plug a heater into the thermometer and it regulates the output based on the reading so you don't cook your babies.

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But wouldn't the insulation keep the test tube at a consistent temperature?

[Silq]

After an accident involving a heating mat and two queens, I have been trying to find alternative heating methods that don't include mats/cords. Would some pipe insulation fit to the size of the tubes work? It would also work as a shield for any extra light that manages to get through and cause the colony less stress. If you have any ideas or ways of heating a colony you have tried please let me know!


I want to find a new heating method because I do not trust myself to heat ants with mats or cords anymore. Also, it went down to 68 today here in Wisconsin so I don't want my ants to go into early diapause. Thanks!

Pipe insulation would not work. Ants are cold blooded and if the room is cold, this would just slow down heat transfer. What you need is a heater controlled by thermometer. Look at Amazon for products that help germinate seeds. You plug a heater into the thermometer and it regulates the output based on the reading so you don't cook your babies.

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But wouldn't the insulation keep the test tube at a consistent temperature?

Yes and no. It slows down heat transfer so yes it will prevent the test tube from a rapid temperature change when night falls but the temperature of the test tube will eventually be the same as the surrounding area (room). Heat will escape one way or another. Think of it like this, you close your house in the winter and turn on the heat and once it is warm enough in the house, you don't completely shut off the heater for the rest of the night. It may momentarily turn off until the temperature inside the house drops.


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[Silq]

Insulation will help in addition to a heating source but alone it would not be sufficient if Temps drop to 68.

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[ANTdrew]

I keep my ants up on a high shelf in my kitchen. They get nicely warmed whenever we cook. When we run the oven or boil something a long while, it can get up to 87-88 degrees easy. I’m lucky to live in a warm enough place where no supplemental heat is needed.
I’m sorry you had a bad experience with a heat mat, but many, many ant keepers have successfully heated ants with heat cables. These cables allow you to provide very localized heat, so your ants can choose their preferred temperature zone. I would advise reading through the many threads on here about heating ants to research.

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

Insulation will help in addition to a heating source but alone it would not be sufficient if Temps drop to 68.

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Right now I keep them in a box with an old glasses container so they don't roll around. Could I cover their tubes in insulation and put the heating mat over maybe 1/5 of the bottom of the box to make the inside warm? 

[PacificNorthWestern]

by air heater i meant like a fan... that blows out hot air but you could just use like a thermostat that controlles the heat that was already stated above

[Silq]

Insulation will help in addition to a heating source but alone it would not be sufficient if Temps drop to 68.

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Right now I keep them in a box with an old glasses container so they don't roll around. Could I cover their tubes in insulation and put the heating mat over maybe 1/5 of the bottom of the box to make the inside warm?

Yes, I do something very similar. If you do do something like this then you need some kind of ventilation because as the inside heats up, the temperature difference will create condensation. Also, if heat can't escape then it could be like being locked in a car on a hot day but most likely not since only part of the container is heated.

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[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

 

 

Insulation will help in addition to a heating source but alone it would not be sufficient if Temps drop to 68.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

Right now I keep them in a box with an old glasses container so they don't roll around. Could I cover their tubes in insulation and put the heating mat over maybe 1/5 of the bottom of the box to make the inside warm?

Yes, I do something very similar. If you do do something like this then you need some kind of ventilation because as the inside heats up, the temperature difference will create condensation. Also, if heat can't escape then it could be like being locked in a car on a hot day but most likely not since only part of the container is heated.

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I have some mesh that I could use. I would simply cut a hole in the side or top of the box and put some fine mesh on it with hot glue or something.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

If you keep your ants in your own bedroom or office, you can close the air conditioning vent and no one will notice. My room got really hot when I did that.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, August 24 2019 - 7:29 AM.

[NickAnter]

If you keep your ants in your own bedroom or office, you can close the air conditioning vent and no one will notice. My room got really hot when I did that.

Haha, I wish that I didn't mind the heat.  I can't sleep in temps over 74.   And I have guinea pigs who also are not supposed to be in a warm room much over 75.  I use a heating cable to some success.  Most of the ants I find here in Southern California seem to like to go as close to the cable as possible.  The ants I have found in the Sierras, I put the avble at the dry cotton side, away from the ants, and only the Temnothorax move next to it.  The other stay next to the moist cotton.  You can also always check the heat inside te tube to make sure it does not get too hot.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I have another idea. Can anyone think of an ordinary household item that generates a considerable amount of heat as a byproduct? The only thing I can think of is my Chromebook, but I need that for school. Maybe a Nintendo DS would work?

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, August 30 2019 - 10:55 AM.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

The Chromebook charger is quite toasty, does anyone know how to trick it into charging something other than my Chromebook?