Slow growth for lasius niger (?)

[ArtAnts]

I bought a queen many months ago(very almost a year), she now has a 16 workers but it seems like its taking longer than it should to increase the population.
I keep them in a dark warm place with lots of food and water (in test tube)

Am I just being impatient? Ive seen that it can take a year to get 100 workers but I only have 16 lol.

Its not like I've got a fancy species either, only black garden ant.

[ArtAnts]

My queen has brood too, ill try and get a photo

[JoeHostile1]

You didn’t hibernate them right? And they went dormant during winter anyway it sounds like.

[ArtAnts]

Oh, i didn't think of that! Thank you so much

I was kinda scared about hibernating them for some reason since im still very new at ant keeping, I'll definitely do it next year.

Should they be out of hibernation now?

[PwnerPie]

Definitrly hibernate them next year. Chances are they hibernate themselves even at the higher temperature. Their growth should explode this year as long as not having a cold temperature didn't throw them off

[JoeHostile1]

Wheather they should be out of hibernation yet depends on where you live or where the ants came from. I live in Canada, our winters are from November 01 to April 01 Roughly. Therefore my colonies are still in hibernation.

Generally when the temperature hits around 15C outside the ants will start becoming active during the day, but may still be sluggish at night/in the morning while it is still cold.