Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

What do Ant Keepers do During Winter?

Started By evanmancini2011 , Dec 27 2025 10:13 PM

Please log in to reply

5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline evanmancini2011 - Posted December 27 2025 - 10:13 PM

Advanced Member

Members
98 posts

LocationParker Colorado

Since all of my ant species are in hibernation, I have nothing much to do related to ants. Does anyone have any ideas of what stuff related to ant keeping I could do to keep me busy this winter?

Thank you for your time!

Evan Mancini

#2 Offline AsdinAnts - Posted December 28 2025 - 12:51 PM

Advanced Member

Members
427 posts

Locationcalifornia

I mean you can get ants that don’t require diapause, you can also try and make your own formicarium for when winter season is over

#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 28 2025 - 3:53 PM

Advanced Member

Moderators
10,499 posts

LocationAlexandria, VA

Look in the archives for lists of great ant books. Make outworlds and formicaria. Enjoy other aspects of nature such as bird watching or growing houseplants.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline Stubyvast - Posted December 28 2025 - 5:21 PM

Advanced Member

Members
339 posts

LocationBritish Columbia, Canada

For me, the hobby mostly just hibernates along with the ants. I spend some time doing things I wouldn't ordinarily have much time for:

Play some video games with friends, paint, fool around with 3d modelling and 3d printing, build stuff, read some more hardcore novels, work out, go on runs, things like that.

Ant related, of course, I do raise a colony that don't require hibernation. I enjoy sometimes making new formicaria by hand, or taking inventory of what I have prepared for next year's nuptial flights. Things like that, not necessarily directly raising ants, but getting ready for them. I also love keeping terrariums, super fun.

OwlThatLikesAnts likes this

Manica invidia (1 queen, ~200 workers)

Manica invidia (1 colonies, 1 queens plus 3 workers)

Lasius niger (single queen, ~200 workers - naturalistic, predatory set-up)

Lasius americanus (1 colony, ~10 workers)

Tetramorium immigrans (3 colonies, 3 queens, ~ five workers each | 1 colony, 1 queen, ~1200 workers)

Formica aserva (aserva queen, ~15 Formica neorufibarbis workers)

"And God made...everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind.

And God saw that it was good." - Genesis 1:25

#5 Offline evanmancini2011 - Posted December 29 2025 - 8:10 PM

Advanced Member

Members
98 posts

LocationParker Colorado

Ok thank you for all the amazing ideas!

Evan

#6 Offline B_rad0806 - Posted December 30 2025 - 12:12 AM

Advanced Member

Members
716 posts

LocationCalifornia

For me since I have ants that don't hibernate, I just keep feeding them year round. Outside of actually keeping ants, I spend my time researching different new areas that I haven't caught ants at before preparing me for next season. To add on, I also target species that I haven't caught before and figure out how to catch them come season time.