3 replies to this topic

[PDuncan67]

I recently received a Camponotus floridanus queen.  She arrived with 6 workers and 2 brood in pupa state. 

Upon arrival her test tube was dirty and dry, so I moved them to a new test tube setup.  I do not have a heating cable so one has been ordered and will be delivered today.
 

I have been using a space heater to warm the C. floridanus colony and have been maintaining a temp of 75-79F.  

Routine feedings, and two weeks later (as of today)  one worker has died and the two new ones are fully grown ants now. 

I guess I am doing something correct, as she now has a huge pile of eggs!  It’s hard to count but I think at least 10 as of this morning. 

So exciting seeing this miracle of nature happen.

 

Amazon (after a week of delays) is to deliver my heating cable today (I got the 15W).   

I plan to drape it over the test tube near the “open” end (its plugged w/ cotton).  In other words – not near their water source. My apologies for the long way around but I wanted to be sure I explained my current situation.

 

Anyway – my question:

Do I leave the heating cable on all the time, or should I have it on a timer?

Also – I have two Lasius neoniger queens and a Messor barbarous queen currently in hibernation.
When I wake them in March, will I heat them similarly?

Thanks in advance for any tips or info.

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[ANTdrew]

The best thing would be to put the test tube in a plastic box and warm the whole box, like an incubator. This will prevent condensation and risks of overheating the ants. There’s no need for a timer.

[PDuncan67]

Thank you.
Would something like one of those plastic shoebox sized ones with a lid work?
Do I just place one side of the box on the cable then? Leave it on 24/7?

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

Thank you.
Would something like one of those plastic shoebox sized ones with a lid work?
Do I just place one side of the box on the cable then? Leave it on 24/7?

More or less yes.

 

the tubes are so small and glass, the heat is hard to control in them when applied directly.

As suggested, placing the tube in a small box, and applying the heat to the box should work well.

 

I'd say yes placing the cable on the opposite side of the box from the tube is probly a good start to be sure you do not over heat the tube/create condenstion in it.

 

It'll likely be best if you can take some tempature readings in the box for a while to see what sort of internal ambiant it winds up at when just left on.
Depending on your home ambiant it might be just right, or  a little too hot/cold all the time.

 

to deal with +/- temps you can adjust how much of the cable is in direct contact with the box until you get a good temp dialed in that holds steady.

 

If you got some money to blow, get a thermostat timer/plug for the heat cable to automate that for you.

 

I am way lazy, I have one of these and love it.

https://www.digiten....imer-thermostat

 

I have the bigger one with two outlets controled by seperate temp probes(and timer optional too) and one on a timer only for lighting.

 

I started with one temp probe in nest and one near it for ambiant. But now i have more nest sections hooked up, and each temp probe controls the heat cbale on a differetn nest section.

 

If you put a temp probe in the box, it can control the heat cable on/off to maintain whatever box internal temp range you want.