21 replies to this topic

[1tsm3jack]

How do you hibernate ants without suffocating them in the fridge? also what's the ideak temperature for hibernating? can it be slightly below the range as well?

[ruth]

Hello. I haven't tried to hibernate my ants, but in my opinion you can let them hibernate their own way, I mean that they can sent that temperature Is lowing and that hibernation is coming because they have a kind of natural clock, you can just turn off any temperature system so that they can feel the natural temperature.

I don't really have much experience with hibernation but I hope I helped.

Good luck

[1tsm3jack]

Hello. I haven't tried to hibernate my ants, but in my opinion you can let them hibernate their own way, I mean that they can sent that temperature Is lowing and that hibernation is coming because they have a kind of natural clock, you can just turn off any temperature system so that they can feel the natural temperature.

I don't really have much experience with hibernation but I hope I helped.

Good luck

In Virginia ants need hibernation because the outside temperatures get very very cold, so it is natural for the ants to have hibernation, I am just not exactly sure how to do it haha.

[AntsGodzilla]

How do you hibernate ants without suffocating them in the fridge? also what's the ideak temperature for hibernating? can it be slightly below the range as well?

For species such as Camponotus, temps can go to 50 f, but you could also leave them in a garage or unheated basement.

Edited by AntsGodzilla, October 26 2024 - 8:05 AM.

[1tsm3jack]

I don't have a basement or garage as I live in an apartment, but I have a mini fridge, could I use this or would I suffocate them? Also what about species besides Camponotus?

[AntsGodzilla]

I plan on leaving my ants near an open window, because outside is 40-60f for me, and the ants would get cold air.

[1tsm3jack]

But would the mini fridge work or no? It is sitting just above 40 currently.

[AntsGodzilla]

Could you turn the temp up to 50? But they wouldn't suffocate, since many people hibernate their ants in fridges.

[1tsm3jack]

Could you turn the temp up to 50? But they wouldn't suffocate, since many people hibernate their ants in fridges.

I think it is at the highest it goes unfortunately, is this OK or should I try to figure something else out?

[Artisan_Ants]

I use my normal fridge to hibernate. Any temp sitting in the 40 degree to 50 degree range is fine, and as long as you open it every now and then, there will be enough air for them to survive. As for other species, It depends if you have to hibernate them or not (you can just search it up. The information if coming from an ant shop is usually accurate). Lasius usually requires this and obviously Camponotus as already discussed. A mini fridge should work If it’s the only thing you have on you, just keep in mind that mini fridge (unless it’s a real one like the cube whirlpool ones) tend to fluctuate their temperatures a lot.

[ANTdrew]

Search the archives for numerous guides to hibernating ants. A mini-fridge will work well. Just open the door from time to time to let in air. Checking the ants once a week during diapause will accomplish this.

[rptraut]

Hello 1 tsm3jack;

A refrigerator is a very dry environment. Once a week is a good time to check your colonies’ hydration and rehydrate if necessary. Drying out during diapause can lead to colony death.
RPT

[1tsm3jack]

Should I be worried about their hydration freezing (probably dumb question since it isn't freezing temperatures)?    And what about the rest of my colonies? I believe the native species of VA that I have like my Crematogaster, my couple of lasius, M. Minimum, and Apheanogaster should all be hibernated as well I think. Does anyone know if Tetramorium will benefit from hibernation? I know they don't need it but should I? 

[AntsGodzilla]

Should I be worried about their hydration freezing (probably dumb question since it isn't freezing temperatures)?    And what about the rest of my colonies? I believe the native species of VA that I have like my Crematogaster, my couple of lasius, M. Minimum, and Apheanogaster should all be hibernated as well I think. Does anyone know if Tetramorium will benefit from hibernation? I know they don't need it but should I? 

If a species doesn't need hibernation, then they definitely shouldn't have it.

[1tsm3jack]

 

Should I be worried about their hydration freezing (probably dumb question since it isn't freezing temperatures)?    And what about the rest of my colonies? I believe the native species of VA that I have like my Crematogaster, my couple of lasius, M. Minimum, and Apheanogaster should all be hibernated as well I think. Does anyone know if Tetramorium will benefit from hibernation? I know they don't need it but should I? 

If a species doesn't need hibernation, then they definitely shouldn't have it.

 

Well in VA technically they would hibernate but i've heard you can just keep them on heat year round and that works as well.

[AntsGodzilla]

 

 

Should I be worried about their hydration freezing (probably dumb question since it isn't freezing temperatures)?    And what about the rest of my colonies? I believe the native species of VA that I have like my Crematogaster, my couple of lasius, M. Minimum, and Apheanogaster should all be hibernated as well I think. Does anyone know if Tetramorium will benefit from hibernation? I know they don't need it but should I? 

If a species doesn't need hibernation, then they definitely shouldn't have it.

 

Well in VA technically they would hibernate but i've heard you can just keep them on heat year round and that works as well.

They should be fine if you were to take all heat from them for a few months.

[bmb1bee]

I don't have a basement or garage as I live in an apartment, but I have a mini fridge, could I use this or would I suffocate them? Also what about species besides Camponotus?

A mini fridge would be fine. It would work for pretty much anything requiring hibernation in cold conditions. I've put Camponotus colonies in my garage refrigerator for a few months with virtually no issues. Lasius would probably benefit from fridge hibernation. The rest can be left at room temperature with no issues, or even heated throughout winter if preferred. Tetramorium wouldn't care at all whether they are hibernated or not, as I've left them heated over winter before.

[bmb1bee]

I plan on leaving my ants near an open window, because outside is 40-60f for me, and the ants would get cold air.

If you live in a place infested with Linepithema humile, I would not recommend doing so, as that's how one of my first queen ants was brutally murdered. They have a tendency to squeeze into any setups given the opportunity to. Additionally, even in mild weather, the sun has the capability to cook your ants if placed by a window. The setup will trap heat and eventually hit temperatures too high for your ants to handle.

[1tsm3jack]

 

I don't have a basement or garage as I live in an apartment, but I have a mini fridge, could I use this or would I suffocate them? Also what about species besides Camponotus?

A mini fridge would be fine. It would work for pretty much anything requiring hibernation in cold conditions. I've put Camponotus colonies in my garage refrigerator for a few months with virtually no issues. Lasius would probably benefit from fridge hibernation. The rest can be left at room temperature with no issues, or even heated throughout winter if preferred. Tetramorium wouldn't care at all whether they are hibernated or not, as I've left them heated over winter before.

 

So I shouldn't hibernate the Aphaenogaster, Monomorium, or Crematogaster? Or is it just take it or leave it with them?

[ANTdrew]

The myrmicine ants could just be kept at room temp through the winter. Any formicine ants you keep will need to do a real hibernation at 50f or below.