5 replies to this topic

[RhodyAnts]

This solution might be helpful for any ant species that a low consistent temperature is a necessity, like winter ants or fungus growers. This might also be helpful for some of the more tempermental species.

Recently I encountered what I suspect to be an temperature issue recently with my P. Imparis. The summer heat and my absolutely luddite insistence on not having air conditioning in my third floor apartment, has likely led to my 2 colonies ceasing to produce brood. Being the quick draw thinker I am I bought an 80$ mini fridge and thermometer at lowes, what could go wrong? True to form, having not spent enough time researching, the highest possible setting on the fridge was 40 degrees. While I am certain winter ants could survive that temp probably indefinitely, it likely wouldn't give them that cozy feeling their looking for. Here's how I fixed that, as well as other alternatives for the pro's. (Please read all methods. It could save you time and money)

Method One
1. Buy a mini fridge, and thermometer.
2. Find the thermostat and unsecure it from the enclosure, ensuring to keep all the wires attatched. (Please make sure the fridge is unplugged, you can only get electrocuted once, no sense waisting it here :-) )
3. find calibration screw but do not adjust. This might entail scratching away a sticker as it did in mine or finding the appropriate recess or hole.
4. Plug in fridge, and allow several hours for temperature to stabilize.
5. If temperature is in the desired range leave as is, otherwise turn the calibration screw to raise the low temperature setting. (Use caution as there is now current in the terminals of the thermostat) This will take some trial and error. Try to find the direction that causes the compressor to kick on then go the otherway.
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 until desired temperature is achieved.
7. Monitor temperature periodically as the weather changes, and make sure to open it daily freash air.

Method two
1. Buy mini fridge and thermometer.
2. Buy inline thermostat power supply. Check for it in cheese making stores or homebrewery supply shops, or amazon. This will cost around 75$.
3. Plug fridge power cord into thermostat then plug into wall. Place temperature sensor in fridge per manufacturer instructions.
4 set temperature allow to stabilize, adjust as necessary.

Method three
1. Buy an inexpensive, small wine chiller. (80-100$)
1a. Set temperature.
2. Sit back and laugh at the fact that some people (like myself) never got this far and are either wasting hours adjusting the calibration, or spent 75$ extra, to get what you have out of the box for the price of a mini fridge. Oh and you have a glass door too!

Edited by RhodyAnts, August 15 2017 - 7:25 PM.

[fANTastic]

I have a mini fridge for wine and drinks. I am going to use it to hibernate my ants. Using a minifridge to cool down and hibernate ants are a great idea. If you want to spend a lot of money through...

[dermy]

I know plenty of ant keepers who use Wine Coolers as nice hibernation areas for their ants. They seem to work pretty well for the people that use them. I think it would depend on the amount of colonies you have though. I don't think the normal ant keeper who has maybe 3 colonies and some queens would need something like that.

[Aquaexploder]

I really like this idea and will definitely be trying something like this in the future.

[RhodyAnts]

Dermy, I wouldn't likely need it if I kept any "normal" species but winter ants to my suprise are picky about the temperature. It's really the only thing they are picky about, so I guess that's good. I do think this might also come in handy for fungus growers. I've read they can be difficult and the fungus often dies/dies back killing colonies. Careful temperature control would mimick the stabiliy of the ground temp in their environment. Keepers should probably set the temp the average annual temp for the native region as this would be the temperature in the ground.


Aquaexploder, I would definitely recommend an small wine chiller over a regular mini fridge. They are about the same price, they have push button temp control, and a glass door. Plus no hassle having to hold the warranty and modify a system beyond it's engineered specs. If however you already have a spare mini fridge and are thinking about using it. Pick method one of your handy, it's cheaper. Pick method two if your not, it's more expensive but easier.

[RhodyAnts]

fANTastic, I feel yah :-) I have alread spent a suprisingly lot of money however. I would never have thought keeping ants would cost more then 20$ lifetime. Boy was I wrong! :-) 30$ for collecting supplies. 45$ for the testube portals that have been the outworlds for now. 50$ for some nectar feeders and a formicarium and 80$ for a mini fridge! over 200$!!! Admittedly many of these convenience/desire purchases. I'm sure I could have gotten away with just 20$ but where's the fun in that.