9 replies to this topic

[Shareallicu]

My Lasius queen just died yesterday.  She seemed intent on dying because I first found her in my cats water, then she got her wings stuck to the test tube glass.  She was prone to getting into trouble.   

 

I still have my Formica queen, hopefully she will do well, and start to lay eggs.  I saw her lay an egg before, but she must be eating them because nada. 

 

I am hoping she is waiting until spring, but since this is my first time ever trying to raise a queen ant, I don't know what she is doing!  I ignore her, keep her watered and fed, but still no eggs. 

 

I am unable to hibernate her, will that be an issue?  how important is hibernation for queens? 

[dermy]

 

how important is hibernation for queens?

Very important, even if you can just put it in the fridge for a few months that will help. I know some queens [esp. late flyers] need a cold spell to kick them into egg laying mode.

[Shareallicu]

 

 

how important is hibernation for queens?

Very important, even if you can just put it in the fridge for a few months that will help. I know some queens [esp. late flyers] need a cold spell to kick them into egg laying mode.

 

OKay thanks.  Not sure how I will do it, but I will be thinking about options to hibernate her now....

[Canadian anter]

Don't worry I had all 70 of my brachymyrmex queens die on me this year

[noebl1]

Sorry to hear about losing her. I have read Lasius Alienus may lay if early season altes, if caught later in the season, like L. Neoniger they may wait until after hibernation.  

 

It's my first year hibernating them too and also pretty nervous.  My Temnothorax already took a beating as their test tube dried up, and they refused to move to a new test tube so workers started to die...  When I clued into what was going wrong, finally disconnected the tube from the tiny outworld (it was a 3x3" box with 2 test tubes), and instead attached both test tubes together for hibernation.  Best I can do, but my hopes aren't high.  

 

I put my Lasius queens down in the basement the beginning of Oct.  I noticed 3 of the 13 or so I had caught already died in test tubes just prior to hibernation... so may spot check tonight to see who's still alive.

 

I haven't hibernated my Tetramorium yet as they are still super active and foraging, however going to try to put them down in the basement 11/1 as noticed they are refusing sweets now and gorging on proteins.

[Shareallicu]

Don't worry I had all 70 of my brachymyrmex queens die on me this year

Wow, sorry about that. 

[Shareallicu]

Sorry to hear about losing her. I have read Lasius Alienus may lay if early season altes, if caught later in the season, like L. Neoniger they may wait until after hibernation.  

 

It's my first year hibernating them too and also pretty nervous.  My Temnothorax already took a beating as their test tube dried up, and they refused to move to a new test tube so workers started to die...  When I clued into what was going wrong, finally disconnected the tube from the tiny outworld (it was a 3x3" box with 2 test tubes), and instead attached both test tubes together for hibernation.  Best I can do, but my hopes aren't high.  

 

I put my Lasius queens down in the basement the beginning of Oct.  I noticed 3 of the 13 or so I had caught already died in test tubes just prior to hibernation... so may spot check tonight to see who's still alive.

 

I haven't hibernated my Tetramorium yet as they are still super active and foraging, however going to try to put them down in the basement 11/1 as noticed they are refusing sweets now and gorging on proteins.

Thanks, ya it's hard to deal with since this is my first time ever keeping a queen, it is pretty depressing to see her die.

 

I Still have my Formica Queen (Princess Leia) so Hopefully she is healthy enough to give me a colony.

 

I don't have a basement or anything to hibernate her in, but I heard that hibernation isn't really necessary.   I hope that is true, because I cannot hibernate her.

[Leo]

good luck 90% of my queens die off for some reason....

[jasond1979]

Sorry to hear about your loss

[Mdrogun]

 

Sorry to hear about losing her. I have read Lasius Alienus may lay if early season altes, if caught later in the season, like L. Neoniger they may wait until after hibernation.  

 

It's my first year hibernating them too and also pretty nervous.  My Temnothorax already took a beating as their test tube dried up, and they refused to move to a new test tube so workers started to die...  When I clued into what was going wrong, finally disconnected the tube from the tiny outworld (it was a 3x3" box with 2 test tubes), and instead attached both test tubes together for hibernation.  Best I can do, but my hopes aren't high.  

 

I put my Lasius queens down in the basement the beginning of Oct.  I noticed 3 of the 13 or so I had caught already died in test tubes just prior to hibernation... so may spot check tonight to see who's still alive.

 

I haven't hibernated my Tetramorium yet as they are still super active and foraging, however going to try to put them down in the basement 11/1 as noticed they are refusing sweets now and gorging on proteins.

Thanks, ya it's hard to deal with since this is my first time ever keeping a queen, it is pretty depressing to see her die.

 

I Still have my Formica Queen (Princess Leia) so Hopefully she is healthy enough to give me a colony.

 

I don't have a basement or anything to hibernate her in, but I heard that hibernation isn't really necessary.   I hope that is true, because I cannot hibernate her.

 

Hibernation is extremely important. Especially in the case of Formica. I live in a suburb of Chicago and even though i am farther south than you not hibernating your colonies will cripple them. Most of my queens refuse to even lay eggs until after hibernation.