Silkworm help

[Kristi23]

I decided to try silkworms again and some of my geckos now love them. However, I can't seem to keep them alive long. I could really use some tips on keeping them. I bought silkworm keepers that have a screen for waste to fall through. I've been feeding the food 1-2 times a day, but I've probably lost at least half of them. They're not the cheapest and I'd like to keep using them, but only if I can figure out how to keep the alive. Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[OhioGecko]

I decided to try silkworms again and some of my geckos now love them. However, I can't seem to keep them alive long. I could really use some tips on keeping them. I bought silkworm keepers that have a screen for waste to fall through. I've been feeding the food 1-2 times a day, but I've probably lost at least half of them. They're not the cheapest and I'd like to keep using them, but only if I can figure out how to keep the alive. Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Kristi, I'm in the same boat as you. Great feeders but too expensive to lose so many. I look forward to anyones advice raising them.

 

[Kristi23]

I'm actually glad that it's not just me. I hope someone can help us both.

 

[Abizyn]

When I was a kid, we used to raise and trade silkworms like baseball cards, and rarely lost any. We would have races to see who's worms would be the first to spin a cocoon, and to see who could get the brightest color silk. Even most elementary classrooms had a silkworm colony. We just kept them in a shoe box with a few holes punched in the lid, and they would do their thing, growing from teeny black worms, to huge white worms, before spinning the cocoons, and emerging as moths. However, this was in a warm climate (Australia), and the ONLY food that they would eat were leaves from a mulberry tree. If we didn't have a mulberry tree, then we had to buy leaves from those who did. So I'm guessing that if you're having so many deaths, it is either not warm enough for them, or perhaps the food available for them does not contain all the right nutrients for them?

 

[nwheat]

I keep them in an open sterilite bin and feed them only enough that they can eat it within the day - otherwise it dries out and is wasted. When I first started getting them, I used a lidded container and I lost lots - then I went for a much drier set-up and it works much better.

I don't get them often, but I did just have a batch recently. They did very well for me, although I fed them all off before any were big enough to pupate.

Temp can be important too - especially for the really tiny ones. I hatch eggs and keep super tiny babies in the incubator.

 

[Kristi23]

Thanks for the tips. Maybe it's not dry enough for them. The temps in the room are usually right at 70 degrees. I think I'll order some more and try a different type container.

 

[acpart]

I've been told that they can get sick easily and frequent hand washing is crucial. I only get silkworms in the summer, when the local mulberry tree is in leaf. I pick lots of leaves and bag them in the fridge so they keep for a long time. I have virtually no losses on mulberry leaves.

Aliza

 

[Kristi23]

I only handle them with tongs. Maybe I'll have to try mulberry leaves instead of the silkworm food. I believe we have a mulberry tree in the backyard, so that will be good in the summer.

 

[snakegirl]

Hi guys! i breed silkworms. And i have a few really helpful hints, On keeping them alive, am going to post a page about them In a bit with some photos. and give you guys a helping hand.

 

[newt]

where to find mulberry trees

Hi, I live in Somerville too and look for the mulberry trees to feed the silkworms. Do you know where I can find some? You can send the location to my email, [email protected]. Thanks!

I've been told that they can get sick easily and frequent hand washing is crucial. I only get silkworms in the summer, when the local mulberry tree is in leaf. I pick lots of leaves and bag them in the fridge so they keep for a long time. I have virtually no losses on mulberry leaves.

Aliza

 

[XoVictoryXi]

Thanks for this post! I had trouble keeping silkworms alive as well, they turned to a sticky mush. i do have a mulberry tree outside! Thanks again!