137 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

does anyone know the earliest that i can bring them out of hibernation

I'd say a minimum of 3 weeks.

[Swirlysnowflake]

the weather got slightly warmer and they are both patrolling the hibernation box again    

[ZTYguy]

Then I'd say if the weather continues to heat up then you probably won't have to hibernate them.

[ponerinecat]

You'll know when they can be taken out, they'll leave hibernation themselves. I'd actually say to keep the hibernation box outside so the wasps can detect seasonal changes the best. Wing tucking under the gaster is normal as well, they'll do that whenever they rest, not just during hibernation. 

[Swirlysnowflake]

so i was wondering if i could just make a hibernation like setup at the bottom of a 12x12x18 inch tank, and set it up for nest building at the same time so that the wasp can come out of hibernation whenever it wants. also is the 12x12x18 a good size for the wasp tank? i have two so one queen will go in each

[ponerinecat]

so i was wondering if i could just make a hibernation like setup at the bottom of a 12x12x18 inch tank, and set it up for nest building at the same time so that the wasp can come out of hibernation whenever it wants. also is the 12x12x18 a good size for the wasp tank? i have two so one queen will go in each

It's a good tank for a beginning colony but Polistes get big. Large colonies will be trying to constantly escape and any sort of maintenance will be a huge hassle. But yes, you can put the hibernation and nest tanks in one.

[Antkeeper01]

two days ago i saw a wasp queen get stuck in a spider web but at some point escape

[Swirlysnowflake]

 

so i was wondering if i could just make a hibernation like setup at the bottom of a 12x12x18 inch tank, and set it up for nest building at the same time so that the wasp can come out of hibernation whenever it wants. also is the 12x12x18 a good size for the wasp tank? i have two so one queen will go in each

It's a good tank for a beginning colony but Polistes get big. Large colonies will be trying to constantly escape and any sort of maintenance will be a huge hassle. But yes, you can put the hibernation and nest tanks in one.

 

someone told me that polistes aurifer gets 15-20 workers. what would be an ideal adult tank size?

[Swirlysnowflake]

One queen drank some sugar water, so cute 

[ponerinecat]

An ideal tank would be like 29 gallons at minimum, with custom built feeding and watering slots so as to minimize escape chance, but if you can't do that just try to replicate the idea as best as possible.

[Swirlysnowflake]

An ideal tank would be like 29 gallons at minimum, with custom built feeding and watering slots so as to minimize escape chance, but if you can't do that just try to replicate the idea as best as possible.

ok, thank you! 

i do hope to free range them, but right now my yard is tiny and my parents don’t want wasps murdering them every time they walk outside 

[Swirlysnowflake]

An ideal tank would be like 29 gallons at minimum, with custom built feeding and watering slots so as to minimize escape chance, but if you can't do that just try to replicate the idea as best as possible.

ok so i have (and this is the largest tank i have currently) a 12 inch high, 24 inch long, and 18 inch wide tank. idk if that is 29 gallons, but are those dimensions good?

[Swirlysnowflake]

Ok, i picked up the kritter keepers and they both got spooked and fell to the ground (like only 3-4 inches). they crawled around on the dirt a bit, and then crawled into the moss and sat there. did i hurt them???? i feel terrible right now because i think they got hurt or something

[Swirlysnowflake]

They’ve been there for 30 minutes now...

Edited by Swirlysnowflake, January 10 2021 - 12:29 PM.

[ZTYguy]

They might have just gotten stressed they are probably fine.

Pics would help a lot.

[ZTYguy]

If they are still moving their antenai then that is a good sign.

[Swirlysnowflake]

They might have just gotten stressed they are probably fine.

Pics would help a lot.

ok, ill try to get pics. you cannot see them that well tho 

[Swirlysnowflake]

so they just kinda sitting in the moss. in the pics you cannot see anything at all. i don't wanna stress them more by trying to uncover them, so ill leave them be.

[ZTYguy]

ok, are their antennae moving?

[Swirlysnowflake]

ok, are their antennae moving?

i can't see one’s head, and the other one’s occasionally twitching its antennae and cleaning its legs