I captured a couple of queens early last week and did the typical test tube set up. I believe they are Lasius Neoniger (I'm in Pierre if that helps with the identification) and I've been reading that they need hibernation. So I have questions about that. How should I do that, when should I start it and for how long?
Well for starters, neoniger will not rear their first workers before hibernation in temperate regions, and will lay come spring. Being South Dakota I would recommend sticking them in a refrigerator or a cooler in your garage starting in early to mid October up through early March (you could technically go through April, but taking them out in March is fine).
Ha! That's what you think! My L. neoniger are already getting their first nanitics!
I have found that they will usually get their nanitics before winter only if you put them in a dirt setup, which i would recommend to amerikanstrum.
Mine're in simple tubes.