7 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

Ever since I was 8, I've been going to a sleep-away camp every year in Delton, Michigan called Circle Pines Center. I'm definitely going again this year, but I'm not sure how long. Last time I went there, I was ant-obsessed, but I had just started keeping ants, so I only had queens in test tubes that didn't require any care. There are 3 sessions. Session 1 is two weeks, session 2 is one week, and session 3 is two weeks. The last two years, I stayed for all 3 sessions (5 weeks). I definitely want to stay for at least 2 weeks. I would like to stay for 5 weeks, as it's an amazing camp, but unlike my other pets, ants have more complicated care, and I'm not sure if I trust my mom to care for them for 5 weeks. My other pets don't hibernate, so I can spend time with them over the winter. but ants are only active for a little over half the year, and 5 weeks is half of summer, so that's a significant chunk of my time with them for the year. Another bonus about the camp is that it's full of amazing ant fauna. About half of my current colonies were caught there last year. Queens I found there include: Lasius alienus, several parasitic Lasius, Aphaenogaster sp., Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Tapinoma sessile, Formica subsericea, and an unidentified Formica species. I've found a Lasius flavus brood room full of alate pupae. I found a Tapinoma sessile colony in the garden, but the queen got away. I've even seen a slave-raiding Formica species conduct a raid.

 

So basically:

• Long Stay _{Pros: More time at the camp and with friends, more time to find queens and observe local ant fauna, more changeovers (the one day between sessions and basically no rules as long as you are within eyesight of an adult), and more exercise (I'm noticeably overweight). Cons: My colonies would be left at home for 5 weeks to be cared for by someone who has little to no experience with ant keeping other than hearing my ant rants. I would also lose a decent chunk of how much time I get to spend with them each year. Also, I would go 5 weeks without Formiculture.}   
• Short Stay _{Pros: Less time for my mom to mess up my colonies. Also, I heard that a colony can survive on water and a sugar substance for 2 weeks, so my mom might not even need to do anything. Cons: No changeovers, less time with friends, less time to collect ants. Also, 2 weeks without Formiculture.} 

_{​I can't decide whether to go for a long stay or a short one. What do you people think? Thanks!}

Edited by Mettcollsuss, December 14 2017 - 6:06 AM.

[KBant]

i think this is something only you can answer. but i would do the 5 weeks and freeze some crickets for your mom to drop in. I wouldn't want to miss out on making potential life long friends and connections at this camp. 

[Mettcollsuss]

i think this is something only you can answer. but i would do the 5 weeks and freeze some crickets for your mom to drop in. I wouldn't want to miss out on making potential life long friends and connections at this camp. 

True. Also there are old friends I might want to meet up with. There's also this on kid who's there every year and I've gotten him into ants, too.

[Diesel]

also did you ever think about reverse hibernating your ants? instead of hibernating during winter months u hibernate during the summer allowing your typically busy time to do fun outdoor activites all while still cpaturing new queens?food for thought.

[Mettcollsuss]

also did you ever think about reverse hibernating your ants? instead of hibernating during winter months u hibernate during the summer allowing your typically busy time to do fun outdoor activites all while still cpaturing new queens?food for thought.

Maybe, but ants only produce the glycerol in winter, so I'm worried hibernating them in the summer might be harmful to them.

[dermy]

If it's only for 5 weeks I would feed them really good and just put them into hibernation during that period. I do it with my ant queens during the nuptial flights if I'm too busy to set them up for a few weeks and they do fine.

[YsTheAnt]

What I think that you should do is have a test period where you ask your mom to take care of your ants, but while you carefully observe. This is, if she agrees of course. First day or so, answer any questions. Once she has learnt everything, then stop helping and just see what happens. If it looks like she knows how to take care of them, then you can make your decision based on it.

I would also suggest writing down a routine for anyone other than you who cares for your ants, to keep things stress free and simple for you, your ants, and the other person involved.

As for reverse hibernation, if you keep your ants in a cool, upwards of 45 degrees Fahrenheit they shouldn't die from lack of glycerol. If you do intend on reverse hibernation, be sure to fatten them up before putting them in, and make sure they have only larvae, and observe for any death and stress in the colony for the first couple days. How people from colder reigons reverse hibernate their ants in colder temps is typically by giving them a couple extra months of hibernation, which makes sure their glycerol production isn't stopping as once it starts, warmth seems to be what triggers it stopping. Hope this helps!

[JasonD]

If it's only for 5 weeks I would feed them really good and just put them into hibernation during that period. I do it with my ant queens during the nuptial flights if I'm too busy to set them up for a few weeks and they do fine.

 

 

Just do this. Don't miss camp to care for your ants.