8 replies to this topic

[William. T]

Just today, the temps were going below zero. I pulled out my colony out of the garage. Underground, the temps could be up to 50-60 degrees. Any insulation materials I could use? I am now using aluminum foil. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Gregory2455]

You have a colony?

[Crystals]

My best advice is to put them in a cooler inside, and use frozen water bottles to lower the temps to about 8C.

Use some sort of temperature thermometer.

 

Insultation doesn't work so well outside if what is inside isn't producing heat.  So unless you are planning to keep them in the garage with a small 3-5 watt heat mat, I would keep them inside until temperatures rise a bit.

[William. T]

Thanks Crystals. B.T.W, I had found a queen a few days ago. Talk about coincidence!

[Mercutia]

I just want to know HOW are people finding queens this late during the year?!?

[Gregory2455]

Early in the year*

[William. T]

No wait, wait, wait. I need to mention I found a queen and several workers, in hibernation. However, some queens hibernate by themselves as they have nuptial fights. Lasius neoniger , the Labor Day ant, often hibernates after flying in September.

[Gregory2455]

Yup, that is true and makes more sense now.

[Crystals]

Yes, just because queens are not flying does not mean that they can't be found.

In places that get snow, queens often do not dig very deep as they don't need to worry about drying out.  I could find hundreds of queens that flew last year in just a few days of turning over rocks in the right locations in spring and fall.