4 replies to this topic

[CampoKing]

Some of my C. pennsylvanicus colonies look very ready for hibernation. They're fat, there's little to no pupae, they're inactive, and huddled together.  My only issue is they're several weeks ahead of schedule because I still need to buy a wine cooler for them.  This will be my first Camponotus hibernation.  I'm almost ready for it, and apparently so are they.

 

Will they be ok waiting for the actual hibernation period for another month?

 

That's all.  Thanks.

[YsTheAnt]

You can hibernate them now and take them out sooner, that is what I have done with my C. modoc.

[Scrixx]

I believe ants use environmental cues and their internal clock to decide when it's time to hibernate. If they're inactive and look like they're trying to hibernate, they're ready to hibernate. I don't think you should delay it as they will be burning resources if they're kept warm.

[FeedTheAnts]

I just put my two Carpenter Ant colonies in hibernation. Just put them in whenever they stop foraging, the brood stops developing, or if the queen hasn't laid eggs in a while.

[CampoKing]

Well, shoot. I'll have to budget to get that wine cooler sooner. They're a little off-season being indoors and all. It's still toasty outside in Colorado.
I may have overdone it with the AC this year and confused them.