14 replies to this topic

[B_rad0806]

A year ago I got my ants from Andrew. When I got them they had 4 workers and a camponotus queen. Then when I went to hibernate them I had 11 workers. Then when I took them out I had 7. Now I currently have 3. I am not sure on what caused this to happen and that's why I'm doing this. PLEAS HELP.

[T.C.]

More information is needed...

 

What are you feeding them?

Where did you hibernate them?

What are you keeping them in?

 

And alot of other stuff....

[Enderz]

More information is needed...

 

What are you feeding them?

Where did you hibernate them?

What are you keeping them in?

 

And alot of other stuff....

Well I was talking a bit with him on chat, and he said he hibernated them in a fridge (so not a freezer), but that is all he has told me.

Edited by EnderzATwar411, June 1 2018 - 4:55 PM.

[B_rad0806]

I’ve been feeding them honey and crickets. I hibernated them in a fridge. I keep them in a small setup with a small nesting chamber and a small out world.

[LC3]

What temperature are they kept at? 

[T.C.]

How was humidity?

[B_rad0806]

Temperature is about 75. 

[Enderz]

Temperature is about 75. 

The tempreture is good, maybe even a tiny bit too cold (not cold enough to kill ants just for brood development). But I ask, what temperature did you keep them at in hibernation?

Edited by EnderzATwar411, June 1 2018 - 9:15 PM.

[Irishmate03112002]

Is the honey pesticide free? Were the crickets sourced from a clean location. Are there environmental factors you are not condsidering chemicals etc...is there mold or a mite infestation?

When this happens to me, a colony declines for an unknown reason, I immediately change their housing. I start trying different foods and temperatures, humidity etc, until I see improvment.

I will reference journals and online information to guide me.

Edited by Irishmate03112002, June 1 2018 - 9:22 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

Temperature is about 75.

I would recommend 80-85 for Camponotus.

[B_rad0806]

Irishmate03112002 they are parisite free and the crickets I just get them from petsmart. There is no mite or mold infestation. I have tried to move them but they don’t move. I try to expose them to light and heat but they don’t do anything.

[B_rad0806]

YsTheAnt they are normally in 80 degrees but my parents always turn on the AC and it goes to 75

[YsTheAnt]

YsTheAnt they are normally in 80 degrees but my parents always turn on the AC and it goes to 75

If I were you, I would invest in a heating cable and give them a heat gradient. If they are in a bare test tube, put the cable right where the tube opens.

[B_rad0806]

UPDATE: I have been feeding them sugar water and they really like it. They fed it to the brude and the queen. They seem like they are coming back.

[B_rad0806]

Oh yea and I have been using my heating cable and the ants like it.