3 replies to this topic

[Boog]

Have any NE folk notice their colonies slowing down, filling up on food, or have little to no larvae growth? I'm keeping a Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony in a grout nest and two Tapinoma sessile colonies in test tubes. This is my second year for my Camponotus ant with far more inactive workers and brood this year and am observing less activity despite a heating cable and regular feedings. I figure they're ready for gradual colder temps for a month then into brumation for winter starting in October. The two T. sessile colonies are new for me and they've got only a few workers, but they're still active so far and it'll be a new experience setting them up for winter break. Last winter, I had success putting my nest in an insulated lunch bag with a digital thermometer reading the clipped bag's temps in my garage, which stayed above 40-ish degrees F.

 

I'm just curious how your colonies are prepping for diapause?

[TennesseeAnts]

Camponotus always do this before hibernation. My 300 worker Camponotus chromaiodes colony is doing this as well.

[Boog]

Camponotus always do this before hibernation. My 300 worker Camponotus chromaiodes colony is doing this as well.

 

I've not dealt with larger colonies for winter before, so I'm just curious how antkeepers prep their winter setup. I'm sticking with modular nests with vinyl tubing, so I can detach nests and bring them down to the garage (my room is on the second floor). I've got one homemade grout nest that's just about full holding 200+ workers now, so I'm making several more nests and outworlds to fill next year's huge growth. The brood is all dormant now it seems, they're on the smaller side but it'll double the population once they eclose, got to have the room for them ready next year. Also need to make more outworlds than I need at first, I imagine they'll need the space. I've been planning on rearranging a whole additional shelf to the one I've currently got to give them the space. I'm still assessing if modular nests and outworlds are better for me rather than a single large glass enclosure, I can't imagine moving that down stairs over winter.

 

How do you setup your C. chromaiodes for winter?

[TennesseeAnts]

I just put them in the garage for 3 months.