wax worm moths

Lrptls · 04-12-05, 03:57 PM

i bought a little thing of wax worms a while ago, fed a few to some of my critters but then i misplaced them and totally forgot i even had them. when i found them there were only 2 that were still worms and the rest (about 10 or so) had cacoond. i put them in another containor, a bit bigger and left them alone again. so far 2 have hatched out into moths. i was just wondering if i had any chance of breeding them and geting more wax worms, if so what should i feed them and should i give them something special to lay their eggs on? thanks

DragnDrop · 04-12-05, 06:13 PM

REARING WAXWORMS by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist
University of Kentucky Department of Entomology

Raising Waxworms - Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet - Entomology

NOTE: The Ohio State University fact sheet sheets mentions this all important smidgen of info:

"Use glass or metal containers such as wide-mouth glass jars, plastic crispers, large lard cans or honey cans. Larvae will chew through wood and soft plastic. Use 20 mesh wire-screens for lids or covers."

Take heed..... they can and will chew through flimsy containers..... as well as your coffee table, wooden shelving, drywall, sofa, carpet and ...... just about anything. They can literally eat you out of house and home. I raised some a few years ago, they escaped because I didn't know they'd eat through margarine tubs. It took about 4 years to get rid of them all, they were breeding in the walls and survived nicely over the winter. They also left me with a few tunnels through the drywall, and who knows what else. I really think I'll leave the raising to someone else, and just buy them as needed. I feel safer keeping termites in the house for frog food, than raising waxies.

Lrptls · 04-12-05, 07:17 PM

thanks very much for that! im definetly not even atempting that. i think i'll do what i was also considering doing and just let these moths go free. i would much rather buy them than risk having them infest my home.

paulv · 04-13-05, 08:04 AM

It is actually not that bad, I have been breeding them now since December and they DO get out very easily, but the worms are easy to catch, And i have not seen any eating through any containers.
Put the in a big glass bottle and put a wire mesh screen for the top. I works well and you will have enough wax worms for all your animals.