6 replies to this topic

[BleepingBleepers]

So I've posted it here in my journal:

 

https://www.formicul...-ca02/?p=235864

 

I mentioned in the journal of the few signs I've noticed of them wanting a cooldown. I've actually noticed some of the signs a few weeks back but as a new ant keeper, I wasn't completely sure, but now it's becoming more transparent

 

My plan is so:

 

- Going to decrease 1 degree every 3-5 days, thermostat at 79.5, went down to 78.5 F. Once I hit about 74F, I'll decrease 1 F every two days. Then I will keep them at 63-68F for a cooldown. Is a fluctuation between 63-68F okay? I'm just going to put them on the floor somewhere in the kitchen, not in my room because my room ranges 68F - 74F

- Since this is a really late cooldown (people start it in late November I believe), I will only keep them there for only 2 months, I will warm them up again in April, middle of the month maybe. So does 2 months sounds okay?

Edited by BleepingBleepers, February 3 2024 - 10:40 AM.

[Artisan_Ants]

Yeah 2 months is fine since most species of Camponotus are active in April. I also started my hibernation for my ants fairly late (in Jan) and I’m waking my Camponotus in April too. If you start cooldown/hibernation earlier, then it’s best to hibernate Camponotus for 5 months (or up to March).

[bmb1bee]

So I've posted it here in my journal:

 

https://www.formicul...-ca02/?p=235864

 

I mentioned in the journal of the few signs I've noticed of them wanting a cooldown. I've actually noticed some of the signs a few weeks back but as a new ant keeper, I wasn't completely sure, but now it's becoming more transparent

 

My plan is so:

 

- Going to decrease 1 degree every 3-5 days, thermostat at 79.5, went down to 78.5 F. Once I hit about 74F, I'll decrease 1 F every two days. Then I will keep them at 63-68F for a cooldown. Is a fluctuation between 63-68F okay? I'm just going to put them on the floor somewhere in the kitchen, not in my room because my room ranges 68F - 74F

- Since this is a really late cooldown (people start it in late November I believe), I will only keep them there for only 2 months, I will warm them up again in April, middle of the month maybe. So does 2 months sounds okay?

This plan sounds fine, since this species doesn't particularly need cold temperatures for diapause. Room temperature in the 60s should be sufficient. Though if my info's wrong, someone please correct me.

[JesseTheAntKid]

Yeah 2 months is fine since most species of Camponotus are active in April. I also started my hibernation for my ants fairly late (in Jan) and I’m waking my Camponotus in April too. If you start cooldown/hibernation earlier, then it’s best to hibernate Camponotus for 5 months (or up to March).

Or you could hibernate them from the start of your local winter conditions to the end of them.

[futurebird]

I do my two months earlier for my Camponotus pennsylvanicus.

Nov, Dec, and into Jan, then I start letting them wake up a little. 

 

This is mostly because as a teacher I'm busy in those months and it's nice to have a break from them. But they are baaaack. 

 

As long as you make them cold when they have basically no brood I think it's probably fine. 

[BleepingBleepers]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

 

 

Other question is:

 

What would be the signs of them not accepting the cooldown, signs of them wanting the cooldown to end, signs of their cooldown ending too early?

 

 

 

 

I'll do a search more on this, think I ran into some answers but more regarding fridge hibernation, but perhaps those will partially apply as well.

[Artisan_Ants]

Well, this can really vary on species, but you should just hibernate them till the time they need to wake up; like April for example. If in a cold temperature (like hibernation temperature) then it’s overall very hard to see any kind of changes. Once you start to see nuptial flights, and other ants besides winter ants (P. imparis) then that means it’s time to wake them up.