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Cooler with Ice Pack for Hibernation?

hibernation

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#1 Offline Lazarus - Posted December 4 2017 - 3:53 PM

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Getting a bit desperate to finding a cool place to put my ants into hibernation I tried to see if anyone has tried using a plain insulated plastic cooler and then just swapping Ice Packs. A lot of work I know but I'm going to try since I've run out of options.

Ran a few 'dry runs' (no ants) for a few days and it seemed promising. I have a thermometer in the cooler and started with smaller ice packs for now which at their coldest (fresh Ice Pack) brings the temp down to ~5 and as it warms it gets near -10 deg. C. before I swap and put in a fresh pack. This turns out to be a 12 hour cycle so basically I swap in the morning before work and then swap again when I get home.

Will the fluctuations between 5 and 10 degrees over a 12 hour span be a problem? Is it not better than no hibernation at all?

When the real cold sets in over the winter I'm still hoping to find a cold spot somewhere in the house. But if not its going to be a long winter with a lot of Ice Pack swapping for me. 

Have 3 Camponutus in there now and will be adding another Camponotus and one Lasius in the next few days.

Thoughts?

My online ant spreadsheet


#2 Offline Penguin - Posted December 4 2017 - 6:28 PM

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Is that negative 5-10 C? If so, that would not be desirable, for Camponotus, maybe that would be fine since they nest above ground in wood but not Lasius, as they nest underground, where it is a few degrees warmer, if it is just +5-10 C and not -5-10 C than that should be fine.


I'm here to learn, mostly. 

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#3 Offline Lazarus - Posted December 4 2017 - 8:25 PM

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Range is between +5 and +10 deg. C

Would that be OK for Lasius as well?

My online ant spreadsheet


#4 Offline Penguin - Posted December 5 2017 - 1:09 PM

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Range is between +5 and +10 deg. C

Would that be OK for Lasius as well?

 

I believe so!  :)

 

For ideas on a cold place, I would recommend an uninsulated room (if you have one), keep the doors closed most of the time and plug the heating vents (if there are any)


I'm here to learn, mostly. 

:hi:






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