17 replies to this topic

[AntsAreUs]

What is a way I could heat my things without going and buying a heatpad or lamp.

[DesertAntz]

I use a space heater that I already had to heat up my ants. 

 

How effective it is compared to other things, I couldn't say. 

[AntsAreUs]

I use a space heater that I already had to heat up my ants. 

 

How effective it is compared to other things, I couldn't say. 

I would not say those are very effective.

[dermy]

use the warmest room in the house?

[Justin]

i have a few argentine ant queens, do they need to be under a certain heat temp to produce eggs? it's been almost a week since i caught the first few, no signs of massive reproduction

[Gregory2455]

Argentine ants take a while to settle in. They need absolutely nothing special, but it is still a 50-50 chance you will fail, as for some reason they like to die a lot in captivity.

[AntsAreUs]

use the warmest room in the house?

There really is not any warm room in my house.

[DesertAntz]

Buy a space heater? 

[Mercutia]

The room where you keep the water heater should be relatively cozy.

[Crystals]

What is a way I could heat my things without going and buying a heatpad or lamp.

I have seen many people place their ants on top of electical devices like a satellite box or mini fridge, as those are often a few degrees warmer.

Do you have any electrical device that is always on that might be a bit warmer?

 

I have to use a 15 watt heat cable - but one cable heats 5-10 colonies if I organize them carefully.

[AntsAreUs]

I will just get a heat pad!

[Foogoo]

I will just get a heat pad!

I considered this, but is it safe to have a heat pad on for nearly 24/7? Not only if it goes haywire and roasts the ants but also if, you know, it sets my house on fire...

[AntsAreUs]

I considered this, but is it safe to have a heat pad on for nearly 24/7? Not only if it goes haywire and roasts the ants but also if, you know, it sets my house on fire...

If that starts happening then of course throw it out. You can just put the heat pad on a portion of the nest and the ants will choose if it is safe or not.

[dspdrew]

I have heating pads under my cricket bins that are on all the time.

[Crystals]

You only heat a portion of the nest.  Like reptiles, they will pick the temperature that they like.  Pupae are often in warmer locations than the eggs.

That is why I use a heating cable, I can easily heat just a corner of the nest - and heat quite a few nests at once.

I do have a heating cable under my biggest nest, it barely overs 1/4 of the nest.

 

Get a decent heating mat, companies often rely on their name brand to show their products are safe.  If they get a bad rap for having their heating mats go into flames, they don't last long. 

[Chromerust]

I keep my fire ants in my entertainment center cabinet where the satellite receiver is located. It gets nice and toasty in there. They love it.


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[drtrmiller]

One thing I wanted to mention is that I had a recent catastrophe with regard to heating.

 

I had a test tube with a dried out water reservoir placed on a slightly warmed surface, but the room was very cool.  

 

When I added some moist food, the moisture evaporated from the food and condensed on the top—the cold side—of the test tube.  I had an entire colony of ants drown in what was essentially a single drop of water!

 

The lesson here, is that you should generally attempt to heat the entire formicarium or test tube as evenly as possible to avoid condensation from drowning or causing issues for ants.

[Crystals]

One thing I wanted to mention is that I had a recent catastrophe with regard to heating.

 

I had a test tube with a dried out water reservoir placed on a slightly warmed surface, but the room was very cool.  

 

When I added some moist food, the moisture evaporated from the food and condensed on the top—the cold side—of the test tube.  I had an entire colony of ants drown in what was essentially a single drop of water!

 

The lesson here, is that you should generally attempt to heat the entire formicarium or test tube as evenly as possible to avoid condensation from drowning or causing issues for ants.

One thing I will add, with most formicariums, if you heat underneath, you will get condensation on the glass.

 

I only heat the open end of my test tubes to avoid condensation.

 

I prefer to let the ants choose if they want to be cooler or warmer.