Ants Don’t Sleep in Winter — This Is What Really Happens

Your ants aren’t dead — and they’re not sleeping either.
This video explains what really happens inside an ant colony during winter diapause, including brood survival, queen behaviour, and why colonies go still.

During winter, ants don’t hibernate like mammals. Instead, they enter a biological state called diapause, where activity, metabolism, and brood development slow to an extreme minimum.

In this video, I explain:
• What diapause actually is
• Why ants stop moving in winter
• What happens to eggs, larvae, and pupae
• Why larvae often survive winter better than eggs
• Why colonies can look “dead” but aren’t
• How ants survive freezing temperatures
• What winter does to queens and workers
• Why winter is critical for spring growth

If you’re new to ant keeping and worried your colony has died — this video will calm your nerves and explain exactly what’s happening inside the nest.

This is part of my beginner-friendly ant keeping series, focused on slow, safe, stress-free care.

More winter and spring ant care videos coming soon.

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