9 replies to this topic

[MichiganAnts]

I've been trying to use a natural hibernation by leaving the nests on a cold basement floor in a closet we don't use. however mother nature is screwing me over and we are having a heatwave (its 71F outside, this time last year we had snow) so the floor is only about 50-60F. now i know it will get colder out and the floor will cool. but that could be a month away, and i plan on waking my colonies up January 14th (i put them on the floor October 14th).

 

But now i just want them to hibernate so i will leave them be. but my fridge is at 36F, is that too cold to hibernate? This is my first hibernation so everything is new. 

[Antsinmycloset]

Most people do ~50-55 for subterranean ants. Some genera (e.g. Camponotus) should probably survive at 36° F if gradually cooled so enough glycerol forms, but even then, that sounds a bit on the cold side. What are you keeping?

[MichiganAnts]

3x camp pennsylvanicus and 1x camp nova

[AntsMAN]

Can't you just turn down the fridge? I have my fridge set on lowest setting and its about 5-8C. I have a few Camponotus queens and they seem fine, and they have been in hibernation for almost a month now.

[Jonathan21700]

My ants where outside and survived a few nights whit temperatures below -13 C whit no problem.

[Alabama Anter]

My ants where outside and survived a few nights whit temperatures below -13 C whit no problem.

WHAT?!! Where do u live! Likely he lives in a colder region! Most ants in the US die when under freezing! 30-50 F is goid

[MichiganAnts]

i live in michigan. and most people think that 36 is survivable, but at the most risk since if it got much colder they would die

[Jonathan21700]

I live in Bulgaria South Europe and the winter usually isn't very cold but sometimes the temps fall to about -15. 

I did offer them some protection but i don't think that changed anything much. The species where Lasius, Messor, Camponotus vagus, Camponotus piceus, Myrmica, Formica, Solenopsis fugax, Cryptopone ochracea. From them only Messor as a more southern species had problems and lost about 15 workers and Camponotus vagus lost a few but all others where just perfect. I had to keep them outside because there wasn't anywhere else to put them.

Edited by Jonathan21700, November 6 2016 - 10:20 AM.

[drtrmiller]

There was a kid in chat that asked whether he could hibernate his ants in the freezer if he wrapped them in a blanket. I would advise against this.

I think if you have a northern species like Lasius, Camponotus, Myrmica, or Formica, you can keep them in a standard refrigerator that stays above freezing. The refrigerator door will be the warmest section. Make sure they're well fed and hydrated before hibernation, as refrigerators will suck the moisture out of the formicarium.

[dspdrew]

There was a kid in chat that asked whether he could hibernate his ants in the freezer if he wrapped them in a blanket.

 

I'll never forget that one.