3 replies to this topic

[Lazarus]

Getting a bit desperate to finding a cool place to put my ants into hibernation I tried to see if anyone has tried using a plain insulated plastic cooler and then just swapping Ice Packs. A lot of work I know but I'm going to try since I've run out of options.

Ran a few 'dry runs' (no ants) for a few days and it seemed promising. I have a thermometer in the cooler and started with smaller ice packs for now which at their coldest (fresh Ice Pack) brings the temp down to ~5 and as it warms it gets near -10 deg. C. before I swap and put in a fresh pack. This turns out to be a 12 hour cycle so basically I swap in the morning before work and then swap again when I get home.

Will the fluctuations between 5 and 10 degrees over a 12 hour span be a problem? Is it not better than no hibernation at all?

When the real cold sets in over the winter I'm still hoping to find a cold spot somewhere in the house. But if not its going to be a long winter with a lot of Ice Pack swapping for me. 

Have 3 Camponutus in there now and will be adding another Camponotus and one Lasius in the next few days.

Thoughts?

[Penguin]

Is that negative 5-10 C? If so, that would not be desirable, for Camponotus, maybe that would be fine since they nest above ground in wood but not Lasius, as they nest underground, where it is a few degrees warmer, if it is just +5-10 C and not -5-10 C than that should be fine.

[Lazarus]

Range is between +5 and +10 deg. C

Would that be OK for Lasius as well?

[Penguin]

Range is between +5 and +10 deg. C

Would that be OK for Lasius as well?

 

I believe so! 

 

For ideas on a cold place, I would recommend an uninsulated room (if you have one), keep the doors closed most of the time and plug the heating vents (if there are any)