29 replies to this topic

[TheMicroPlanet]

I know it's really easy to put a test tube setup in the fridge on a warmer setting, but what if a formicarium (not including the outworld, because they don't need that in hibernation) is just too big for the fridge? What should I do?

[TennesseeAnts]

Garage.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I hibernate my ants in my crawlspace.

[dspdrew]

I often hear "Garage" as the answer to all hibernation problems. Some people don't live where ants hibernate in the winter. For those people, the garage isn't going to do anything.

[ANTdrew]

I often hear "Garage" as the answer to all hibernation problems. Some people don't live where ants hibernate in the winter. For those people, the garage isn't going to do anything.

This would be a problem if you had cool climate ants in a warm climate.
I’ve had success in an unheated basement as well. This member is in NY, so natural cold shouldn’t be hard to come by.

[TheMicroPlanet]

My garage doesn't even get near optimal temperature for hibernation (i'd have to take some measurements to make sure, though, i'm planning on doing that asap). Plus, anything looking for months of peace and quiet in my garage has come to the completely wrong place (the garage door is pretty loud and shaky). Once I know what the actual temperatures are in those areas (my garage and basement), i'll be able to finally make some conclusions...

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, December 31 2019 - 6:33 PM.

[ANTdrew]

It’s not all that easy to get a colony to massive size as you can see from 95% of the journals on here. If you get to that point, best thing would be to shell out for a bigger fridge. On the other hand, you could stick to slow growing species like Camponotus.
I ran into this problem when I set up a natural soil set up for my Tetramorium and with my Crematogaster because they’re living in an AC outworld.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Now that I think of it, I think the garage might work. Again, i'll have to check,

[ANTdrew]

My reservation about garages in general is all the chemical fumes.

[RushmoreAnts]

My reservation is that they would freeze to death below zero, excluding Camponotus.

[DDD101DDD]

I'm trying to hibernate my ants in my garage, and so far I'm pretty sure they're not dead.

[RushmoreAnts]

You don't live in SoDak.

[DDD101DDD]

You don't live in SoDak.

But I live in NY, which is the same place TheMicroPlanet lives.

[RushmoreAnts]

I was just making a point about the cold. Although I would be wary about keeping ants below freezing, regardless.

[NickAnter]

Yeah, here in Socal, most of my ants come from and area that is probably covered in feet of snow right now, so if they get big, I am going to experience some difficulties.  Shame it gets so warm here in the winter.  Then I could leave them outside.

[RushmoreAnts]

 Shame it gets so warm here in the winter. 

First time I heard someone from Cali say that. If I do say so myself, the winter is bearable once you get used to it. Although in my opinion, hibernation is annoying. The snow's also really pretty at times. Not to mention the big icicles....

Edited by AntsDakota, January 3 2020 - 3:29 PM.

[NickAnter]

Yeah, well, I greatly dislike the heat.  If I could, I would make California have the same weather of Southern Britain.  Rarely gets much above 70, and rarely gets below freezing.  Perfect.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Maybe i'll put the setup next to a cooler with some blankets or something in the basement. Hibernation is still a long way off (for me anyway). I reeeaaaally got to measure the temperature in a few places (basement/garage/etc...)

[Unfrozen]

Ur lucky ur not here in Canada my buddy hibernate a his ants in his garage and so far almost all his ants froze to death

[RushmoreAnts]

 Hibernation is still a long way off (for me anyway).

Isn't it winter in NY yet, or are you keeping your ants indoors for the time being?