7 replies to this topic

[nofuel11]

This is my first year ever keeping ants. This is such a fun hobby, I love it so far. But I'm really trying not to spend money on a new, special dedicated mini fridge for my 3 founding Camponotus Pennsylvanicus colonies if I can help it. All 3 colonies are in my office at 70 degrees and they've slowed way down, huddling together... ready for hibernation. How do you fridge and garage hibernation people deal with these problems:

 

Refrigerator: 

This would provide a great stable temperature but my whole family is opening and closing the fridge all day due to eating, cooking, grocery trips, etc. Should I take this option off my list? Or will they be ok with constant vibrations from family using the fridge?

 

Garage: 

My area has drastic temperature swings. Just as an example, I've attached a pic of this week's forecast: it ranges from 30s to almost 70 degrees in just a matter of days! Is this a problem or is it okay? I mean... wild Camponotus pennsylvanicus nest in trees so they have to endure the exact same temperature swings in nature, right?

 

Edited by nofuel11, October 15 2022 - 9:30 PM.

[rptraut]

I keep my C pennsylvanica colony in a greenhouse for most of the year, but I also worried about temperature fluctuations in the winter. I know that freezing and thawing kills plants and they are better off to be frozen all winter. Does anyone know if this is true for Camponotus as well?
When they are frozen in the greenhouse I move them to a corner of my garage, on the floor (uninsulated) and cover them with a blanket. This helps moderate temperature fluctuations of the air. I also put a small table over this setup to keep anyone from kicking or tripping over them. Usually they stay frozen all winter, even during winter thaws as the concrete floor stays colder than the outside and moderates fluctuations in the temperature of the formicarium. I check them about every two weeks to make sure they are hydrated, in other words, ice in their water reservoir. My colony has always been in great condition come spring. Good luck with yours!

[AntsCali098]

I keep my C pennsylvanica colony in a greenhouse for most of the year, but I also worried about temperature fluctuations in the winter. I know that freezing and thawing kills plants and they are better off to be frozen all winter. Does anyone know if this is true for Camponotus as well?
When they are frozen in the greenhouse I move them to a corner of my garage, on the floor (uninsulated) and cover them with a blanket. This helps moderate temperature fluctuations of the air. I also put a small table over this setup to keep anyone from kicking or tripping over them. Usually they stay frozen all winter, even during winter thaws as the concrete floor stays colder than the outside and moderates fluctuations in the temperature of the formicarium. I check them about every two weeks to make sure they are hydrated, in other words, ice in their water reservoir. My colony has always been in great condition come spring. Good luck with yours!

To my knowledge, most camponotus can endure quite cold temperatures, but I'm not an expert on the subject. You should be fine at quite cold temperatures

[ANTdrew]

I think the garage is your best bet. Like you said, wild colonies endure the same wild temperature swings just fine. The key will be giving them plenty of time to slowly adjust to cold temperatures to build up whatever antifreeze compounds they use. For extremely cold periods, you might want to pack them in some sort of cooler filled with insulating material. I would worry about test tubes cracking if they actually froze.

Edited by ANTdrew, October 17 2022 - 12:37 PM.

[OiledOlives]

The fridge will undoubtedly be the safest option. My ants had no problems with the fridge door opening and closing 5+ times per day.

[Locness]

I don't see a way around this...your family will have to fast for a while. It's also a great holiday activity to get the family to learn less modern methods of food preservation. 

[AntsCali098]

You could try to get a cheap wine cooler

[nofuel11]

I don't see a way around this...your family will have to fast for a while. It's also a great holiday activity to get the family to learn less modern methods of food preservation. 

 

Well geez, I mean ... I guess there comes a time when tough decisions need to be made for the good of the family, and this is one of those times. I agree with you, there really is no way around this.