17 replies to this topic

[dean_k]

Heya.

 

I placed my two tubes with Lasius sp ant queens in my mini fridge last night. This morning, before leaving for work, I checked on the tubes.

 

Thankfully, they seemed to be alive since their antennas were slowly moving. They were doing nothing else. Only their antennas had any motions.

 

I am assuming that I don't need to do anything at this point, yes? I am planning to let them be in there until the first day of next year.

 

Thanks.

[Mercutia]

Seems like you've started hibernation a little early.

 

You won't need to do anything at this point except make sure water is always available to them and do the odd check in to make sure everything in the test tube is fine.

[Crystals]

Yes, they will be sluggish.  That is normal.

Just check on them every week to ensure they are fine (check if the test tube sprung a leak - not very common though).

 

Sounds like a good plan.  Most of mine are about to go into hibernation as well this week.

 

If for some reason the test tube floods, place the queen on a piece of paper towel.  At low temperatures they can survive being submerged for quite some time.

When you take the test tube out of the fridge, keep an eye on it.  When the cold water warms up, it may cause the cotton to leak - it is the only time I have ever seen one of my test tubes flood.

[dean_k]

When you take the test tube out of the fridge, keep an eye on it.  When the cold water warms up, it may cause the cotton to leak - it is the only time I have ever seen one of my test tubes flood.

 

Thanks for that. I will keep that in my mind.

[Gregory2455]

Well, now I have some questions!

 

How worried should I be about test tubes flooding while they are in hibernation?

 

Do they eat anything- even just a little sugar water during hibernation?

 

What are the chances of test tube flooding during hibernation?

 

Are there any ways to reduce flooding of test tubes while they are in hibernation? (For example, keeping the front of the tube lifted slightly)

 

Are there just any major things I need to look out for?

[Gregory2455]

What is the risk of not hibernating a species that usually hibernates?

[dean_k]

I don't know. My Lasiuses have been in my fridge for a month now. They still move around albeit slowly. They still do their stuff albeit slowly. I don't feel they are really hibernating. I think they are just waiting.

[Crystals]

Well, now I have some questions!

 

How worried should I be about test tubes flooding while they are in hibernation?

 

Do they eat anything- even just a little sugar water during hibernation?

 

What are the chances of test tube flooding during hibernation?

 

Are there any ways to reduce flooding of test tubes while they are in hibernation? (For example, keeping the front of the tube lifted slightly)

 

Are there just any major things I need to look out for?

I have never seen flooding while in hibernation, just when the test tube warms up causing the water to expand.

 

Some species go completely motionless, and even fall over and look dead.

Other species, such as Lasius, are known for being semi-active during hibernation.  Those that are a bit active I will offer one small drop of sugar water/hummingbird nectar about once a month.  Nothing other than sugar though, as cooler temperatures they will have a harder digesting it.

 

To reduce chance of flooding, lift the open end of the test tube.  Simply check on them every 3-4 days.  Even if they are completely underwater, with the cooler temperatures they all seem to survive if you dump them onto paper towel.  I had one Camponotus colony in a formicarium, and due to condensation the bottom of the plug in cooler filled with water without me noticing.  They were competely submerged for at least 2 days, but I quickly dumped them them and the water out, and out of over 100 ants, I only lost one.

 

Hibernation is pretty care-free.  I use a wine cooler with a glass door so I can keep an eye on them.

[Gregory2455]

You say your Lasius are partially active during hibernation? Mine are belly up legs curled in, and no movement. However, when they feel even a little heat they start to wake up.

[dean_k]

Yep, my beer fridge is set at 4c. And hell yes they are active. Even last night when I opened it to get a can of beer, one of the queens was casually crawling around.

 

"Tough moms," I said to myself when I saw that.

 

Maybe, Canadian ants are tougher against cold?

Edited by dean_k, October 22 2014 - 2:54 PM.

[Gregory2455]

Mine look like they are dead.

[Mercutia]

Canadians don't get cold. I guess that stereotype applies to ants too. That, and they live in igloos.

[AntsAreUs]

What is the risk of not hibernating a species that usually hibernates?

They will hibernate anyway no matter the temperature.

[Gregory2455]

I knew that, I was wondering if they need the temperature for something while being dormant?

[AntsAreUs]

I knew that, I was wondering if they need the temperature for something while being dormant?

If you have it really cold and your getting bored, well having them cold allows you to have a faster hibernation. So if you take out in about 2 months they will start at it again like it's a new year.

[Gregory2455]

Okay, that is helpful. I think I will hibernate my Tetramorium and Formica then.

[AntsAreUs]

Okay, that is helpful. I think I will hibernate my Tetramorium and Formica then.

I'm pretty sure Tetramorium doesn't need hibernation. 

[Gregory2455]

I know, but I caught them in an area where it snows. They will get a short period of rest with good food provided.