9 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

I’m wondering if someone could help explain this. I brought my Tetramorium colony out of hibernation this weekend. They are living in three test tubes in an acrylic box. I put their box on top of a heat cable, and a couple days later I noticed a lot of condensation forming. I also noticed about six ants behind the cotton drowned in the water resevoir. I wonder if it was too warm for them or if they freaked out because of the condensation? Why would they dig behind the cotton?

[drtrmiller]

Condensation forms when warm water vapor comes into contact with a cold surface, loses energy, and changes from a vapor to a liquid.  To prevent condensation, keep the enclosure well-ventilated and the temperatures as stable as possible.  This way, the air is holding less water vapor, and the vapor that is present won't have a cooler surface onto which it may condense.

 

Ants dig into the cotton to get to the water, or out of a natural instinct to excavate a nest.  If they're drowning in the water behind the cotton, you should consider moving them to a new test tube.

Edited by drtrmiller, February 12 2019 - 7:02 PM.

[Shifty189]

I wouldn't put a test tube setup under heat. not only does it raise the risk of this kind of thing, but it also doesn't make sense to me. Native ants where I live will be fine in an environment that stays in the same temperature range. 

 

Once they are large enough for an acrylic next I will add a heating cable if the temperature gets too low (62 degrees F for me).

[YsTheAnt]

I wouldn't put a test tube setup under heat. not only does it raise the risk of this kind of thing, but it also doesn't make sense to me. Native ants where I live will be fine in an environment that stays in the same temperature range.

Once they are large enough for an acrylic next I will add a heating cable if the temperature gets too low (62 degrees F for me).

While heat can cause problems, lots of species require some in order to flourish. 62F is way too low for many species.

[ANTdrew]

I have my house on a programmable thermostat, so the temp drops down to 58deg. while we are at work, so some form of heat is necessary. This is a sizable colony of 300+ ants.

I moved the cables farther away from the tubes, and condensation seems to have evaporated. I still see ants trying to dig into the cotton, though. I also gave them some new tubes.

With a second season colony just waking up from hibernation, would they just have an amplified instinct to excavate a nest?

Edited by ANTdrew, February 13 2019 - 5:04 AM.

[drtrmiller]

I recommend either an incubator, or a dedicated small room with a space heater, such as a bathroom or closet, so that a constant temperature can be maintained.  A heating cable provides local heat, which will continue to cause the condensation problem if the ambient temperature surrounding the test tube is very cool.

[ANTdrew]

I recommend either an incubator, or a dedicated small room with a space heater, such as a bathroom or closet, so that a constant temperature can be maintained. A heating cable provides local heat, which will continue to cause the condensation problem if the ambient temperature surrounding the test tube is very cool.

That’s what I initially had in mind. I’ll try that out, thanks. Part of me wishes I had just left them in hibernation until my house warms up naturally. Would it be the end of the world to put them back in the fridge?

[Dethundrel]

If the heat cable is at the end of the tube without the water, you won’t have as many problems. If they are digging behind the cotton into the water, you need a bigger wad of cotton to form a tighter fit. A cotton wad that’s big enough will prevent any air getting behind it as vacuum will pull it along and there is no way for an ant to dig into it.

[PwnerPie]

I have the same thing happen. Not horrible this year, but there was a puddle in a couple of them. Think it is a combination of how cold the water is vs the surrounding air and how tightly the cotton was packed. GL!

[ANTdrew]

If the heat cable is at the end of the tube without the water, you won’t have as many problems. If they are digging behind the cotton into the water, you need a bigger wad of cotton to form a tighter fit. A cotton wad that’s big enough will prevent any air getting behind it as vacuum will pull it along and there is no way for an ant to dig into it.

Thank you. I seem to have solved the issue by heating only a corner of the box the tubes are in. The cable is well away from the tubes now, and I don’t see any more condensation. I also gave the girls new tubes.

Edited by ANTdrew, February 16 2019 - 1:47 PM.