2 replies to this topic

[CamponotusLover]

So I bought the 11.5 foot heating cable from tarheel ants (though I do wish it wasn't that long, as I hope it's length won;t cause problems), but I have never used a heating cable before so I have a few questions.

1. What length of time periods should I keep the cable on for?
2. How often should I turn the cable on?
3. Is it good to use heating cables for P. Imparis?
4. How much heat does it provide?
5. Is it gonna be a fire hazard and what precautions should I take if so?

Thank you. (also I apologize if this is the wrong forum to post in, I always mess this up the most)

[drtrmiller]

1. What length of time periods should I keep the cable on for?
2. How often should I turn the cable on?
3. Is it good to use heating cables for P. Imparis?
4. How much heat does it provide?
5. Is it gonna be a fire hazard and what precautions should I take if so?

 

Heating cables should remain powered at all times except when the ants are hibernating.  There is no on/off switch.

 

Prenolepis imparis should never be heated.  They actually require cooler temperatures for brood development.

 

You will feel how warm it is.  It should not be hot enough to burn your skin.  It provides a small amount of heat to a very local area (maybe 20 to 30 F over ambient).  Avoid coiling it or wrapping it around test tubes.  Simply lay the cable on one side of the test tube or formicarium being heated.  Used like this, there should be no fire hazard.

Edited by drtrmiller, February 18 2018 - 7:15 PM.

[CamponotusLover]

 

1. What length of time periods should I keep the cable on for?
2. How often should I turn the cable on?
3. Is it good to use heating cables for P. Imparis?
4. How much heat does it provide?
5. Is it gonna be a fire hazard and what precautions should I take if so?

 

Heating cables should remain powered at all times except when the ants are hibernating.  There is no on/off switch.

 

Prenolepis imparis should never be heated.  They actually require cooler temperatures for brood development.

 

You will feel how warm it is.  It should not be hot enough to burn your skin.  It provides a small amount of heat to a very local area (maybe 20 to 30 F over ambient).  Avoid coiling it or wrapping it around test tubes.  Simply lay the cable on one side of the test tube or formicarium being heated.  Used like this, there should be no fire hazard.

 

Thank you, though, by when turning it on or off, I mean, unplugging and plugging, as I am not sure I will be able to keep it on 24/7, is that a bad thing?