Ice storm help

[Silkmoth]

Hi, I live in Ellsworth Maine and we are in the ice storm that is attacking all of northern New England. We lost our power from 7 last night to 6 this morning. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can keep my frogs warm when the power goes out again? (I will not be foolish and think we wont lose it again until this storm is truly over). I am warming up my apartment right now.
We will be in the low teens to singles tonight. Any thoughts would be most wonderful.
Robin in beautiful but cold Maine!

[GrifTheGreat]

Hi, I live in Ellsworth Maine and we are in the ice storm that is attacking all of northern New England. We lost our power from 7 last night to 6 this morning. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can keep my frogs warm when the power goes out again? (I will not be foolish and think we wont lose it again until this storm is truly over). I am warming up my apartment right now.
We will be in the low teens to singles tonight. Any thoughts would be most wonderful.
Robin in beautiful but cold Maine!

You can wrap towels or blankets around the tanks to assist in insulating them, but to add heat you will need to buy a bunch or those hand and foot warmers. You can attach them directly to the tank. You may even want to stick some of the toe warmers inside the tank, but stick them to the walls atleast 2" to 3" above the substrate. Place hand warmers against the base of the tank and then wrap the towels around.

I know you cannot go out and buy them during the storm, but these are good to keep on hand. You could also fill bottles with warm water and place them in the tank. You will have to change the water in the bottles frequently though.

[flybyferns]

Do you have hot water or a way to heat water during a power outage ?

[Silkmoth]

Do you have hot water or a way to heat water during a power outage ?

I get hot tap water even though the power goes out but no gas stove. I miss gas! I wont complain, we kept our water pressure and hot water.

[flybyferns]

Fill gallon containers with hot tap water/ put them inside the tanks or outside small tanks ( up against the glass) and cover the enclosures with blankets. However, as Grif mentioned they need to be changes out frequently

I had to do this - once. I thought I was going to lose my entire collection of frogs .
Never again. It was a nightmare !! I learned my lesson!
A week w/out power and freezing cold !! Like you, I have gas hot water and stove. We were taking turns ,all night, filling gallon containers.

Get a generator if at all possible ! It is wonderful peace of mind !
Lynn

[Silkmoth]

I dont have gallon containers but I bought smaller water bottles. My power was off for a few hours and is on again. We are set up with 18 hour handwarmers and the bottles are being rewarmed in a big pot on the stove set on 2. I dont have gas and because I live in an apartment I cant get a generater. Big bummer. We will be fine.
My frogs and mantids stay in bed with me.
I feel like a giant warmer! I am in my own way.
Part of an ash tree crashed down nearly hitting a man! He's fine but my tree doesn't feel so great. I will try to get pics and post them the trees here in maine are really suffering. I hope other members that live here in New England are ok and can stay warm.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

A generator is the best thing if you can afford one.

[kueluck]

https://www.mrheater.com/Product.aspx?id=116&catid=41 We picked up one of these since the Farmers Almanac said NC was going to have a cold winter. It really puts out heat. Used it while waiting in line at Gander Mountain for some ammo that was on sale in November.

[Bedore]

I am also in Maine, about an hour from Ellsworth so I know the exact conditions you are going through. Lost power for about an hour, but live on Route 1 so it wasn't out long. Lucky for me I have a gas stove, so I can heat the kitchen with it and I can place my frog on the counter next to the stove and it stays about 72-74 or so. I would recommend a heater that you can attach to a propane tank from a grill. Something like this: Amazon.com - Mr. Heater MH15T Single Tank-Top Propane Heater - Space Heaters That will pretty much heat your whole downstairs. You can even get bigger ones if you live in a larger house. Just be VERY aware of carbon monoxide and get a detector if you don't have one. You do need to provide proper ventilation so I crack a window just a little, but it beats no heat.

[Silkmoth]

After my last post the power stayed off.It was nasty cold!!! I found a balance in keeping my bugs and frogs safe and warm although it was tough for alot of us! I had bought a big extoterra,18x18x24.

I wrapped it in two blankets, I needed the rest of them for me! and put heat packs and warm bottles in it. I put the extra blankets on my bed, four of them. I bought deep dish glad containers, punched holes and put in paper towels. For the frogs, Freddy and the toads and my pacman, plus 9 mantids! Piled in to bed and I played the part of the giant heat pack! it wasnt much fun, especially for the new frog Freddy I found at petco. He had a bad time but hes alittle toughy. One of my mantids died. He was old and it was just too much for him. But I kept them all 35+ degrees better than the temps near 45 degrees the apartment.
I appreciate all the wonderful help and advise.With it I found ways to help myself. AND NOW.........!

The special priviledge of living here and going through what I did with the cold and all, The beauty of Christmas and all the crystal trees in the morning sun! I know alot of you think Im nuts, but going through the cold is worth it to see the trees and the first sunrise after several cold stormy days.Thats what I love about this state. I took a drive and was listening to carols sung by choirs like the Mormon Tabernacle and others on WBach radio, our classical station, that are so beautful and seeing the crystal trees. They matched each other, the music and the morning.
Thanks everyone, our heat is back, we survived and all is well.

Merry Christmas to all! Robin in Maine.