10 replies to this topic

[steelplant]

I'm not sure whether I should be feeding my ants sugars while they hibernate. I've got Lasius flavus, niger and umbratus and Myrmica rubra. They've been in the fridge in test tubes at 8C since the end of October. Should I give them sugars while they're hibernating? I'm pulling the Myrmica rubra out at the start of February as I've read they're fine with 3 months, but will leave the Lasius in until the end of March. 

 

Should I be putting sugar water in their test tubes to get them through hibernation? I'm especially concerned about the Myrmica as their gasters are so much smaller than the Lasius.

 

Many thanks for any advice.

[ANTdrew]

You could offer a bit of sugars, but it’s not really necessary.

[Barristan]

No they don't need it during hibernation. Only subtropical ant species need to be fed during hibernation, because they are still active

[Spazmops]

I’ve kept a liquid feeder full of honey water in the outworlds of all applicable hibernating colonies (P. occidentalis, L. neoniger group, and T. immigrans) and I’ve seen all of them eating at some point. Then again, I’m hibernating them in my garage, so on warmer days they become a bit active. 

[steelplant]

Thanks guys - that's a real weight off my mind. I'll leave them be. 

[Devi]

I’ve kept a liquid feeder full of honey water in the outworlds of all applicable hibernating colonies (P. occidentalis, L. neoniger group, and T. immigrans) and I’ve seen all of them eating at some point. Then again, I’m hibernating them in my garage, so on warmer days they become a bit active. 

I'm surprised that you are hibernating them in your garage...  For my garage, some days it gets to 60-70 degrees, (f) and other days, it gets in the teens.  I guess this is how it is outside, but without as much cover.  I bet it's at least somewhat easier to survive deep in the ground than in an open formicarium.  My ants would freeze.  

[Spazmops]

 

I’ve kept a liquid feeder full of honey water in the outworlds of all applicable hibernating colonies (P. occidentalis, L. neoniger group, and T. immigrans) and I’ve seen all of them eating at some point. Then again, I’m hibernating them in my garage, so on warmer days they become a bit active. 

I'm surprised that you are hibernating them in your garage...  For my garage, some days it gets to 60-70 degrees, (f) and other days, it gets in the teens.  I guess this is how it is outside, but without as much cover.  I bet it's at least somewhat easier to survive deep in the ground than in an open formicarium.  My ants would freeze.  

 

Mine never drops below freezing, so I’m not worried.

[AleeGuy]

Mines wake up when the fridges temp goes few degrees higher(45≤). I'm not sure if I should feed them or not too. There is no death yet, so I think it's ok to not feed them because they prob got used to jumping climates in the wild, plus they fill their social stomachs too so they are prob don't have to be fed during hibernation period

[Ants_Dakota]

 

I’ve kept a liquid feeder full of honey water in the outworlds of all applicable hibernating colonies (P. occidentalis, L. neoniger group, and T. immigrans) and I’ve seen all of them eating at some point. Then again, I’m hibernating them in my garage, so on warmer days they become a bit active. 

I'm surprised that you are hibernating them in your garage...  For my garage, some days it gets to 60-70 degrees, (f) and other days, it gets in the teens.  I guess this is how it is outside, but without as much cover.  I bet it's at least somewhat easier to survive deep in the ground than in an open formicarium.  My ants would freeze.  

 

same here. i have had multiple colonies die in my garage. it gets really cold here...

[gs5248]

I feed my colonies a bit of sugar water halfway through hibernation, and it turns out fine.

[steelplant]

Thanks. I cracked and put a little bit of jam in the Myrmica test tubes.