Raising Wax Worms

[WTN4ICE]

I am trying to raise some wax worms for the heck of it. I read some info and watched several how to videos but not having much luck. I stated with a bran flake honey glicerine mix about an inch thick in a large jar but they just are dying every day. I started this jar Oct 28th with about thirty worms and have lost at least half of them.

Any advice or tips from anyone thats done this.I know there has been some discussion about this in the past.

[cold one sd]

I think you will find what you want if you google waxwormkit.com I have talked to guys who have great succes with this kit.

[Fish_Stalker]

Are raising maggots any easier? Might want to try that.Cool project tho. Free bait is a good thing.

[LakeDocktor]

Save the headache and switch to plastics! You will thank me!

[BehindtheHead]

plastic isnt always the answer though

[kerryd15]

where did you get your starter waxworms? Bait shop?

I did this also, a couple years ago. The ones from a baitshop are treated so they don't spin cocoons. you will lose more than half. i just about tossed mine, then left it in the corner and forgot about it. one day I checked and there were dead moths in there. When they hatch they are very small. what kind of jar do you have them in? what do you have for ventilation holes. I would set the jar in an icecream pail lid with some water for the little ones that crawl out!! You will have to use a magnifying glass to see the little ones- thinner than a piece of thread. You will think they are gone and a couple weeks later the container will have a life of its own- the bedding will be moving and the jar will be warmer than the air around it. I quit because I never figured out how to get them to quit spinning cocoons. I read about taking them down to freezing for a few hours but always seemed to kill them. I would put them in a bait puck and in my pocket for fishing and you had to dig them out of the cocoon to put on a hook. if you figure it out let me know.

[icefly]

To stop the cocoon spinning you will need to store them in a place that is cool (48 to 52 degrees ).Every few weeks place a dozen or so in a warm place (72 to 76 degrees) and let them spin and you should have what you want.

[WTN4ICE]

Woke up to three moths in the jar. If each one can lay up to a thousand eggs that should be enough wax worms for the season.There are several more in the cocoon stage that could produce a moth.

I got a mini frige off the list and have the temp set between 45-50 for storage. Where can a guy get the saw dust they come in from the bait shops ??

[Great Outdoors]

When you start out, put about 3 dozen waxies in a jar with some type of structure where they can lay their eggs.

To make one of these, cut 4 pieces of thick cardboard (2"X6") and lay them on top of each other to make it on piece which will end up being about 3/4"x2"x6" when completed. Melt some wax (Bees wax preferably) and dip one long side, and both ends of this cardboard about 1/4 inch into the melted wax. This will hold it together. Yo will have one side that you DID NOT dip into the wax that will have a honeycomb appearance, and you lean this in your jar. The worms will lay their eggs in this.

You now have a jar with a cheese cloth top, 36 waxies, the cardboard piece you have made, and your food mixture for the new hatch to eat.

The most important thing is to place this in a warm area, about 90-95 degrees as this speeds up the hatch. A cool room (55-75 degrees)will give you little to poor success.