59 replies to this topic

[T.C.]

Hibernation began today.

[Chicken_eater100]

Hibernation began today.

yay. (Sarcasm is real)

[Diesel]

well TC my hibernation won't start until xmas. then it gives me time to handle the unending task of snow removal for the season and build new nests. use your time wisely. i prefer not to take my ants out until the snow has melted and i can begin searching again which is why i hibernate so late.

[T.C.]

well TC my hibernation won't start until xmas. then it gives me time to handle the unending task of snow removal for the season and build new nests. use your time wisely. i prefer not to take my ants out until the snow has melted and i can begin searching again which is why i hibernate so late.

Whatever works. I also will build some nests during hibernation.

[TennesseeAnts]

well TC my hibernation won't start until xmas. then it gives me time to handle the unending task of snow removal for the season and build new nests. use your time wisely. i prefer not to take my ants out until the snow has melted and i can begin searching again which is why i hibernate so late.

Whatever works. I also will build some nests during hibernation.

How do you make those awesome wooden nests??

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, November 27 2017 - 10:05 PM.

[T.C.]

well TC my hibernation won't start until xmas. then it gives me time to handle the unending task of snow removal for the season and build new nests. use your time wisely. i prefer not to take my ants out until the snow has melted and i can begin searching again which is why i hibernate so late.

Whatever works. I also will build some nests during hibernation.

How do you make those awesome wooden nests??

I just use a drill bit and drove holes into it. Then another hole not attached to the chambers filled with cotton. Then I cut a piece of plexiglass and screwed it to the top. Drilled a small hole in that which lead to the hydration chamber. Boom! Insta nest.

[TennesseeAnts]

Insta Nest... I like it!! Thanks! I have lots of wood in my yard so I will try that!
But I will use a few magnets to hold my glass in place.

[T.C.]

Insta Nest... I like it!! Thanks! I have lots of wood in my yard so I will try that!
But I will use a few magnets to hold my glass in place.

The wood I used was just pieces lying around from past projects as well. I used magnets in my log formicarium.

[TennesseeAnts]

I saw that. That one looks especially cool!

[TennesseeAnts]

Oh, why does one of your queens have the red blotch on her gaster?
None of mine do.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, November 27 2017 - 10:23 PM.

[T.C.]

Oh, why does one of your queens have the red blotch on her gaster?
None of mine do.

A few of my queens did, whilst others didn't.

[TennesseeAnts]

So, is that some special gene then?

[FeedTheAnts]

So, is that some special gene then?

Yeah, probably. 

[YsTheAnt]

Nice colony! Do you reccomend a specific wood for making these nests?

[T.C.]

Nice colony! Do you reccomend a specific wood for making these nests?

Untreated 2 by 4's. Don't use treated ones, because those have been chemically treated to resist rot, decay and termites.

[YsTheAnt]

Ok, thanks

[T.C.]

Update 2/8/2018

 

Pulled this colony from hibernation. Took almost a week for them to even make any movement. I pulled them out bunched in a pile.

 

[nurbs]

That's good. So not dead as initially thought?

 

We still think you should move to CA. Go anting with the cool kids

 

 

 

Update 2/8/2018

 

Pulled this colony from hibernation. Took almost a week for them to even make any movement. I pulled them out bunched in a pile.

 

 

[antnest8]

what does the treatment of the wood do to the ants?

[T.C.]

@nurbs, this one had recovered, but many didn't. And I don't plan on staying here forever. Too cold, just don't know where I'll go.

@antnest8, I have not yet attempted to introduce them or any colonies to treated boards. But if it's chemically treated to repel them, I couldn't imagine how well it would go.