5 replies to this topic

[William. T]

It is really hard for a beginner to resist looking at your ants for a long time. I live in Howard County Maryland. My queen ant have been hibernating in the attic. I had captured her in hibernation with her workers and then hibernated her in my attic, I really want to boost this colony up with head start in nutrition this year. Would it be ok if I took her out? When can I take her out?

 

Thanks and sorry for the many questions, as I only have one colony!

[dean_k]

A month at least. That is minimum ... unless your colony starts to lay eggs in a fridge! <- Mine did and I took them out.

 

The general rule is that you hibernate them as long as your local winter lasts, but I've read on the Internet that a month of cold is generally long enough to fool ants.

[benjiwuf]

some people also do not even hibernate their ants. it seems to be rumored that it shorten's the colonies life span, but i don't think there is any study or structured evidence to support that. so ultimately you have some choice (crystals even reverse hibernates one or two colonies!), it only depends on how well you can keep them warm.

[William. T]

O.k. Thanks!

[Foogoo]

some people also do not even hibernate their ants. it seems to be rumored that it shorten's the colonies life span, but i don't think there is any study or structured evidence to support that. so ultimately you have some choice (crystals even reverse hibernates one or two colonies!), it only depends on how well you can keep them warm.

 

Reverse hibernate?

[Mercutia]

 

some people also do not even hibernate their ants. it seems to be rumored that it shorten's the colonies life span, but i don't think there is any study or structured evidence to support that. so ultimately you have some choice (crystals even reverse hibernates one or two colonies!), it only depends on how well you can keep them warm.

 

Reverse hibernate?

 

She hibernates a few colonies in the summer so she can take them out for viewing in the winter. That way she always has a colony to care for and to watch. So far she's been very successful with it.