Hybernating Tetramorium

[yrodro]

After many (many) failed attempts, I have 2 Tetramorium colonies that went beyond the half dozen worker stage. Both have around 80-100 workers and lots of brood (yipee!) They are still in test tubes, attached to mini outworlds where I feed them.

Now, I'd like to hybernate them, and I know it is late; but as I said, they have lots of brood, and my understanding is that the brood pile goes down when they are ready to sleep. So...

1) Is it ok to place them in the cold even with such a large brood pile?
2) Should I still try, or skip this winter?
3) Since it is late, should I just go for the cold, or ease them gradually?

Thanks!

[SolenopsisKeeper]

After many (many) failed attempts, I have 2 Tetramorium colonies that went beyond the half dozen worker stage. Both have around 80-100 workers and lots of brood (yipee!) They are still in test tubes, attached to mini outworlds where I feed them.

Now, I'd like to hybernate them, and I know it is late; but as I said, they have lots of brood, and my understanding is that the brood pile goes down when they are ready to sleep. So...

1) Is it ok to place them in the cold even with such a large brood pile?
2) Should I still try, or skip this winter?
3) Since it is late, should I just go for the cold, or ease them gradually?

Thanks!

I might wait for pupae, but gradually ease them so they can slowly adapt.