6 replies to this topic

[Drickon]

Hi! My daughter and I are about to start growing a colony of formica subsericea in a modular nest. In the winter months, we like to keep our home at around 62° at night, and 70° during midday with a gradient of temperatures throughout. Is this going to be too cool and variable for this species? If so, I would like to apply a bit of regulated warmth to a corner of the nest, but I'm having trouble finding anything that small (so to not waste energy or space). Any help or pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Edited by Drickon, November 25 2022 - 12:48 PM.

[ANTdrew]

It would help if you could give some background on the colony. Have they hibernated already? If not, they will need to as it is “hardwired” into Formicine ants. They may go into a dormant state even if they aren’t kept cold.

[T.C.]

It's not well used in the hobby, but a temperature controlled gardening pad would be your best friend. I've used them for a number of years. However certain nests don't work with them. What is a "modular nest."

[Flu1d]

It's not well used in the hobby, but a temperature controlled gardening pad would be your best friend. I've used them for a number of years. However certain nests don't work with them. What is a "modular nest."

I believe they mean a nest that allows you to connect it to others seamlessly.. Sort of like how THA mini hearths snap together with magnets

[T.C.]

It's not well used in the hobby, but a temperature controlled gardening pad would be your best friend. I've used them for a number of years. However certain nests don't work with them. What is a "modular nest."

I believe they mean a nest that allows you to connect it to others seamlessly.. Sort of like how THA mini hearths snap together with magnets

I can't keep up to date on the names for nests in this hobby.

[mmcguffi]

I also spent a large amount to time trying to figure out how to directly heat parts of nests in a controllable manner -- @MysticNanitic offered an amazing solution in a previous thread that I have used on my nests since: 

 

https://www.formicul...ables/?p=200678

Edited by mmcguffi, November 29 2022 - 8:41 AM.

[FinWins]

For awhile I used a nonstick heating pad I got off Amazon coupled with a prob temperature controller, and it worked pretty well but after some time I outgrew it as I got more colonies.