3 replies to this topic

[JillionsMillions]

This is my first year with an any colony and I went to check on my Camponotus Modoc today, it seems they have already jumped into hibernation?

 

This seems really early, should I warm them up until Oct/Nov?

 

The habitat I harvested the queen from is getting to low 60's F at night. 

 

 

[CampoKing]

Are they fat and huddled together and not doing much? Because I'm running into that same issue with my pennsylvanicus this month. The advice I've been given on here is go ahead and start easing them into hibernation. There's a hibernation guide on the Handy Links post on this forum

PS: This is what my hibernation-ready colonies look like. The abdomens are fat in both workers and queen, signaling that they have built up reserves for the winter they expect to come. The brood is limited to larvae mostly, with no new eggs and few or zero pupae.

Edited by CampoKing, September 16 2018 - 3:30 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

So are mine. Last year they went into a diapause state late August, and didn't come out till February. I think that's a bit extreme, so I just do 4 months.

[TennesseeAnts]

I'm trying to fatten up my Camponotus chromaides colony before hibernation in October! They have 150 workers, so they drink a lot of sugar water. Yesterday, they are half of a Carolina locust and are still looking for more!

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, September 27 2018 - 4:23 PM.