5 replies to this topic

[ctantkeeper]

i recently obtained 5 pheidole dentata colonies from the outer banks, NC. should i use a heating cable and should i hibernate them and at what temperature? secondly, two of the colonies have been experiencing 1-3 random worker deaths. the ants are fed sunburst ant nectar and fresh termites, so i sincerly doubt its a dietary issue. what causes this and how can it be prevented? should i be concerned?

[Mdrogun]

I normally at this time of the year keep my ant colony's the same temp it is outside. As long as it is above 40 outside. How many workers do the colony's have? It might be the nanitic workers dying from age. It could also be that those colony's are not adapting well to captivity.

[ctantkeeper]

12-45 workers per the five colonies

[Mdrogun]

There is a high possibility then nanitics are dying off. I wouldn't worry about deaths as long as it's not most of the colony. I would also pay attention to egg production. The colony might be uncomfortable which could be triggering deaths from stress.

[ctantkeeper]

but these are not nanitics, they are fully grown workers with hardened shells and fully developed pigment.

[Mdrogun]

If they are not nanitics I would assume it is stress. Quite a few colonies have a hard time adapting to captivity and die off from stress. I would release the colony's that are dying off (where you found them, If there worker population continues to plum it on the next week.