Egg laying Troubles

[antboy2009]

so around mid september of last year, I caught about 18 Lasius Niger queen ants. I followed all of AntsCanada's tips on raising ants, and watched many videos on lasius niger. I watched most of them mate, as i caught them during their nuptual flights, yet none of them have layed any eggs yet. they have of water, and their living conditions are great. the only thing I didnt pay too much attention to was the temparature of where I kept them, as I kept them in room temparature. I hibernated them around mid december, and just took them out of hibernation today. I put them in new test tubes, gave them fresh water, and a drop of honey each, as some of them were looking worse for wear, and I didnt know how much longer they could survive without it.

any help would be much appreciated, as this is my first time keeping ants, and I would hate for it to end like this. thank you

[antboy2009]

also, should I consider buying a heating lamp? the average temp in my house is about 66, 2 degrees farenheight belowthe minimun for lasius.

[antperson24]

also, should I consider buying a heating lamp? the average temp in my house is about 66, 2 degrees farenheight belowthe minimun for lasius.

I would not use a heat lamp, use a heating cable. Do you know if they mated with multiple males? Because they need to mate mutiple times, that could be the reason they are not laying eggs.

[RespectforAnts]

You are in America correct? If so you did not catch Lasius niger but rather Lasius neoniger which are known to hibernate then lay eggs in the spring.

[RespectforAnts]

Heating couldn´t really hurt though.

[antboy2009]

oh that makes sense. thank you, I guess I have some catching up to do lol