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Post by Stutheant on Sept 18, 2013 0:34:34 GMT
Well I am. It has been a good year for most of my colonies! 1 or 2 died, but the others are doing well, however I am really looking forward to putting them into hibernation so I can have a break. Only my P'Dives to worry about! Any one else looking forward to a break?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Sept 18, 2013 6:49:53 GMT
It is always nice to have some ants that hibernate, as this does mean that you don't have to worry about feeding these colonies for a few months each year. I enjoy having a few ants which are still active during winter, but even these can be encouraged to slow down and give their owner a bit of a rest, even if they do come from more tropical climates.
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Post by Jenny on Sept 18, 2013 8:23:02 GMT
And I get relief in fly swatting  But, having them also in the kitchen like the Messors, does mean they are still active. |
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Post by Stutheant on Sept 18, 2013 10:30:40 GMT
Interesting. So I can turn my full heating set up and have my P'Dives at room temp for a few months to give the few months? (room temp varies between 18C to 24C, rising occasionally to 50C+ when I have had a busy wedding/trade and I am stressed out...)
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Post by Wood~Ant on Sept 18, 2013 11:54:25 GMT
Interesting. So I can turn my full heating set up and have my P'Dives at room temp for a few months to give the few months? (room temp varies between 18C to 24C, rising occasionally to 50C+ when I have had a busy wedding/trade and I am stressed out...) Basically what we do is either keep our ants in a room which is only heated at night during the winter if they are native to Britain or Europe, while those from warmer countries are kept slightly warmer in our kitchen/dining room both day and night. Pheidologeton come from the humid tropical jungles of Asia and so need to be kept at fairly high heat and humidity all year round, much like in a set up for Atta or other exotic tropical ants.  |
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Post by Stutheant on Sept 18, 2013 12:09:18 GMT
I have my colonies getting ready to hibernate start of October (I call it the cool down), basically all the heat lamps will be off the Messor and the Manica will be at room temp and the P'Dives, will probably cool down also but when we reach end of October they will remain in the office while the MB's and MR's will be removed to my old dark room (where it fluctuates between 8C-12C and it is pitch black) for the full hibernating period.
I will admit last night I removed food from my P'Dives formicarium and accidently nudged the half coco-nut and about 100 swarmed out, so they are doing great!
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Post by conjant on Oct 3, 2013 17:58:17 GMT
That's all the Ants up for hibernation. My dads P Divas and his Messor are still out to stay warm until November then they go up (not the PD's). We have put polystyrene under the tanks to keep a bit of warmth in and prevent any frost going in (our attics can go down to 9C).
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