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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 23:38:00 GMT 1
Hello, I have been an ant enthusiast for quite some time now but only until recently have been able to commit and get some ants of my own. I have just purchased an XL Ytong setup and glass arena but did not buy any ants yet. I live in the North East of England and winter is approaching and I was wondering what are peoples thoughts about getting some ants now or should i just wait till after hibernation? Also even though i have did endless research I am still undecided what species of ant to keep, what has everyone found to be the "best" species? Thank You!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 3:23:49 GMT 1
Wow, super large ytong, I'm very jealous of you!!! Congrats on your purchase Colin! I don't have much experience with hibernating ants, but many of our other members do and I'm sure they'll give some great advice to you But either way, welcome to the forum and thanks for taking the time to become a member!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 3:43:01 GMT 1
Hello Colin, First off welcome to MANF! I hope you find this a pleasurable place to be. As for your questions I personally would wait until the spring if you plan on hibernating the colony. The stress of moving will no doubt cause your ants to lose a lot of their food stores and the stress of being put into the nest may make them nervous to venture outside. Now if you are planning on not hibernating the ants over the winter (there are various debates on whether or not you must hibernate your ants) then so long as the temperatures do not go to extreme you should be fine to order them. However anything close to freezing means that it is typically a very, very bad idea to order any. I personally would just wait until the Spring to be safe. Ants tend to sense the time of year and even if you did not hibernate them they most likely would not be super active anyways. As far as a species what are you looking for as far as traits go? Lasius niger and Myrmica Rubra are common starter species but with a nest that size there are a wide range of interesting ants from Camponotus species to Messor species. Flavus
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 5:07:42 GMT 1
Thank you for your replies. I have been swaying towards keeping a Messor Barbarus colony as they seem an interesting and big colony. I was thinking about getting a queen and not hibernating her over winter which after reviewing a lot of websites i found people do this when the ant species are just starting out but I was not 100% sure if i should do this. The thing is I am really keen to start caring for some ants of my own and having all of the equipment I need is really making me consider buying a queen ASAP. Does anyone think not hibernating a new queen is really bad for her or would it be ok? Thank you.
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Post by Myrm on Nov 15, 2012 6:52:31 GMT 1
Does anyone think not hibernating a new queen is really bad for her or would it be ok? Thank you. It will be fine not to hibernate her. Not everybody hibernates their ants. I would recommend hibernating them next year if they will hibernate.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 17:18:55 GMT 1
my ants live in what is basically a garadge all year and the seem to be coping with the tempereture prety well and have not gone into hibernation as yet i only brought them a few weeks ago but they seem just fine
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 18:29:33 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum As the other members say it isn't neccesary to hibernate your ants, however I probably would still wait till spring especially with Messor B as they come from warm climates and may not be used to the cold.
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