Couple question about Lasius Niger

Discussions about the care and keeping of ants

Moderator: ooper01

Post Reply
ZantKeeper
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:40 am
Location: BC Canada

Couple question about Lasius Niger

Post: # 32155Post ZantKeeper
Sun Oct 08, 2017 2:15 pm

Hi I have had a lasius niger for about a month now and noticed she had a small pile of brood, but when I looked a few days ago I didn't see them but she had put cotton everywhere. Could she have put cotton over the eggs?

Also wanted to ask about hibernation, I won't have anywhere in the 5-10 degree range for another month or so and when I looked around I found you are supposed to start hibernation in October, adding onto that, how long of a hibernation is required? To my understanding hibernation is to give the queen a bit of a break from her duties(correct me if I am wrong. New to ants) with a new queen is a shorter period of hibernation, ie. 2 months acceptable or would the recommended period of october to march be the only way to go?

PTasker15
Posts: 309
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:41 am
Location: Houston,TX

Re: Couple question about Lasius Niger

Post: # 32157Post PTasker15
Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:29 pm

From Late October To Mid March
Keeping ants for 6 years now.

Current Species: Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Camponotus decipiens,Camponotus snellingi Solenopsis invicta,Nylanderia sp,Brachmyrmex patagonicus,Pheidole obscurothorax,Pheidole moerens,Pachycondyla harpax

User avatar
Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Couple question about Lasius Niger

Post: # 32168Post Batspiderfish
Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:02 pm

From when the ants disappear from outdoors to the point they return again is always a good general rule. Don't get impatient like a lot of hobbyists will be -- our colonies really seem to do better when they are treated as closely to their natural conditions as possible.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

Annesj
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:58 am
Location: Oslo

Re: Couple question about Lasius Niger

Post: # 32347Post Annesj
Sun Oct 15, 2017 7:07 am

Hi guys. I have a question regarding the same topic. Started keeping ants this summer and I've caught a couple of Lasius queens. I understand that ants are going into hibernation now. Should I hibernate my queens now, even though there are no worker ants present?

PTasker15
Posts: 309
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:41 am
Location: Houston,TX

Re: Couple question about Lasius Niger

Post: # 32482Post PTasker15
Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:12 pm

Yes.Especially L.Neoniger
Keeping ants for 6 years now.

Current Species: Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Camponotus decipiens,Camponotus snellingi Solenopsis invicta,Nylanderia sp,Brachmyrmex patagonicus,Pheidole obscurothorax,Pheidole moerens,Pachycondyla harpax

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 21 guests