Horrible Wax Worm Expirience!

[Sandyballs]

:main_lipsrsealed:I went to the fridge and took out some wax worms. They are the 2nd worst smell I have ever expirienced. Seriously, I covered my nose with two socks and seperated the wax worms from the substrate they were on. It still smelled!........I dropped a little bit of the stuff they were on and after I vacummed and cleaned with water and soap the smell is still there!
Should I throw away the worms?......Most are alive but some look kinda half black,.........I also found this dead wax-worm that had this hard grey stuff on its head.....Is this normal?....what do I do.......They don't smell as bad now that I removed their substrate and dead worms.

 

[Halley]

I'd probably throw the ones you have now away.

Also, don't put them in the fridge next time. I’ve also noticed that although Wax Worms eat honey in nature, that they live longer in the same gut load I use for my mealworms and superworms than they do in the aspen bedding they usually come in.

 

[AKA Stormie]

In my experience the dead worms are what makes it smell so horrible. Get rid of any which seem to be dying (turning black). Once I get rid of the dead ones and replace the substrate the smell seems to go away and the remaining worms seem to be fine. As for the hard grey stuff I am not sure, as I haven't noticed that. Maybe watch the rest to see how they do for a couple days? I am sure someone with more experience will be along soon.

 

[Bellalee]

Yup.. do not put them in the fridge..

 

[GeckoGathering]

WAX WORMS / BEE MOTHS, Grubs, Ahaaa yes.

Yup.. do not put them in the fridge..

Fridge is good....should be 55 to 60 degrees though... plus
No moisture items in with them, if in the fridge.
Too much humidity and TOO cold a fridge will cause
them to turn black (die) and cake up with bad smell.
They normally come in wood shavings to keep them
dry............I mix layer hen crumbles(food)
with the original wood shavings......store well in
55 degrees....special small fridge for worms.
Take care. Hj
"May the bad smell wax worm removal force be with you"


http://www.youtube.com/user/GECKOGATHERING