6 replies to this topic

[Roachant]

Hi all,
Two weeks ago I tried to get my tetramorium colony ready for hibernation, I removed their heat and reduced their food intake. I did this because I thought they wanted to hibernate, they had tried to plug up their nest entrance which I took as a sign that the long sleep was on its way. However, I noticed that they are still foraging a lot so I added some sunburst nectar and they ate it up. I then added some insects and they went nuts and ate them all within a minute.
I guess my question is, do I try to put them into hibernation anyway or leave them out all winter?
Oh, and they still have brood... A lot of brood.
Thanks!

[Okiale]

Hi. I also have a tetramorium colony that I have tried to hibernate. They are still active, but the nest is such that I can't tell if there is brood. I have fed them, and they have been eating a lot . Like yours they also plugged up their nest mostly and I have been told they need hibrrnation. If I were you I would keep trying.

[Works4TheGood]

I'm extremely inexperienced here, but my strategy is to mimic what is happening outdoors. That's why I'm going to keep my ants in my basement where the temp pretty much matches the outside ground temp. It's gonna keep getting cooler and cooler down there until they have no choice but to hibernate. I've once read an expert on the subject posing this question to their audience: are ants still foraging around outside? Until we have a strain of domesticated ants, I suspect you'll get the best results when simulating nature in this regard.

[Crystals]

The conditions inside (especially temperature) will not match an outdoor nest, so brood may grow more slowly.

I always wait until my colony is ready for hibernation, all pupae eclosed, no eggs, and larvae have not grown in a month.  Small colonies may stop foraging, but larger ones will always have someone in the foraging area, just as sentries or advance guards.

[Roachant]

Will the colony die if they are not allowed to hibernate?

[Works4TheGood]

Will the colony die if they are not allowed to hibernate?

 

If I were you, I'd consult this post: http://www.formicult...o-large-colony/.  It talks mostly about that very subject.

[Roachant]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to hibernate them.