15 replies to this topic

[Ants_Dakota]

yup. it's me again. still worried about my ants and their freezing hibernation in South Dakota. how long should i keep them in hibernation? like is there anyway to take them out early? Thanks all!

 

[ANTdrew]

Three months is plenty for most species. Can you go to a thrift store and find a mini-fridge?

[Ants_Dakota]

Three months is plenty for most species. Can you go to a thrift store and find a mini-fridge?

my budget would be obliterated. they are like $80 for a ok one.

[AleeGuy]

Me secretly changing refrigerators temperature to 45

[Ants_Dakota]

Me secretly changing refrigerators temperature to 45

you eating ice milk.

[AleeGuy]

Me secretly changing refrigerators temperature to 45

you eating ice milk.

Huh lul, I dan't get a joke🙃

[ANTdrew]

So put your ants in an insulated cooler in your garage and experiment with heating the cooler slightly to keep it between 40-50 degrees.
Another option could be if you know any friends or family with cold basements.

[Ants_Dakota]

So put your ants in an insulated cooler in your garage and experiment with heating the cooler slightly to keep it between 40-50 degrees.
Another option could be if you know any friends or family with cold basements.

i do have them in a cooler in the garage. would a heating cable keep them the right temp, or would the cold hurt it?

[AleeGuy]

So put your ants in an insulated cooler in your garage and experiment with heating the cooler slightly to keep it between 40-50 degrees.
Another option could be if you know any friends or family with cold basements.

i do have them in a cooler in the garage. would a heating cable keep them the right temp, or would the cold hurt it?

As Drew said you should experiment with heating cable till it reaches between 40-50. Put a thermometer where the ants will be so it can be easier to keep in track of the temperature

Edited by AleeGuy, November 21 2020 - 7:49 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Yes, exactly. Use a thermometer and experiment putting more or less of the cable inside the cooler until you reach the desired temp. There’s no way you would harm the ants.

[ConcordAntman]

This might help allay your hibernation concerns: 

https://www.formicul...pdated/?p=42392
You could also look for open box refrigerators or wine coolers on eBay or Amazon. 

Edited by ConcordAntman, November 22 2020 - 6:49 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

This might help allay your hibernation concerns: 

https://www.formicul...pdated/?p=42392
You could also look for open box refrigerators or wine coolers on eBay or Amazon. 

i did. $80 for one that will last for more than 2 seconds.

[ConcordAntman]

I spent a bit more and got a 20 bottle wine cooler with adjustable temperature between 46 and 65 degrees. I’ve had it two years and it’s the best of both worlds. Ants in the fall and winter, wine in the spring and summer 

[Ants_Dakota]

I spent a bit more and got a 20 bottle wine cooler with adjustable temperature between 46 and 65 degrees. I’ve had it two years and it’s the best of both worlds. Ants in the fall and winter, wine in the spring and summer 

wish i had that kind of cash

[ConcordAntman]

This is the cheapest of my hobbies. How’d you think I got my wife to let me keep mealworms in the fridge, roaches in the freezer, and ants in the house?!?  

[M_Ants]

 

I spent a bit more and got a 20 bottle wine cooler with adjustable temperature between 46 and 65 degrees. I’ve had it two years and it’s the best of both worlds. Ants in the fall and winter, wine in the spring and summer 

wish i had that kind of cash

 

Same.