4 replies to this topic

[SheepForgeBoi]

So its been a year since I hibernated my ants. The colonies have got a lot bigger and so have had a nest upgrade. I upgraded some of my colonies from test tube setups to ytong that needs to be filled up with water 2 times a week. Do I need to do this during hibernation or not? Is hibernating them from the end of October okay or should I start sooner? Anything else I need to take into account? 

 

Thanks

[CampoKing]

Don't know what species you have but here's some posts I've contributed to discussing the when/how/what on hibernation lately:

 

http://www.formicult...ure-what-to-do/

 

http://www.formicult...ernation-ready/

 

http://www.formicult...time-questions/

 

In summary, you'd want to take care of your colonies like you do when not hibernating.  They need to be hydrated regularly while hibernating.  As far as when to hibernate, most ants are good at indicating when they're ready for it (like my Carpenters).

[TennesseeAnts]

I usually do October 10 to January 25

[SheepForgeBoi]

Don't know what species you have but here's some posts I've contributed to discussing the when/how/what on hibernation lately:

 

http://www.formicult...ure-what-to-do/

 

http://www.formicult...ernation-ready/

 

http://www.formicult...time-questions/

 

In summary, you'd want to take care of your colonies like you do when not hibernating.  They need to be hydrated regularly while hibernating.  As far as when to hibernate, most ants are good at indicating when they're ready for it (like my Carpenters).

But they don't need food of any kind during hibernation at year 2 right?

[CampoKing]

 

But they don't need food of any kind during hibernation at year 2 right?

 

 

I ease my ants into hibernation by dropping the temp gradually in an adjustable wine cooler each week.  If I see them foraging before it gets too cool for them to move, I give them sugar water. Otherwise they've already built up enough fat to be ok when I start hibernation.