[SpawnMan]

If I dont use all of them in a fishing trip how long will they keep ultil my next trip and how do I store them?

[Cory]

Store them in a cool dry place like a basement. Don't put them in the fridge. This is the worst you can do. When they get too cold they will live off of their own fat and get skinny and small.
Crush up some cheerios and mix with honey and put it in the container.
I can keep waxies for 4-6months without any problem.

[SpawnMan]

wow that long thanks for the info cory.

[tinyfisher]

I agree with Cory, don't put them in the fridge. Also, like crawlers, go through the container frequently and remove any that are dead/dying. They will kill your bunch faster than anything. Keep them cool, and probably dark, or they will turn into moths (you will really notice this if you have a container break in your pocket, and not get them all out. You won't be allowed to bring bait into the house anymore. Don't ask how I know this). Also, if you don't try Cory's Cheerios/honey trick, definately add some saw dust to the pkg. Most of the time from the shop they don't have enough material in there to keep them for very long. One last tip, if you have more than your going to need for the day, leave some of your waxies at home. It stresses them out to bring them out and bring them home a bunch of times.

[Bolio]

Man!- Thats great info...time & money saving info ! Right on gentlemen ! thank you...........Fish on.

[jackpine]

It's funny this thread started at this time. I just started a waxworm breeding house. Check out this site, Cory is right on.

www.wormman.com/cat_wax.cfm

If everything goes right, I should have lot's of bait for hard water.


Fran

[tinyfisher]

Cool link, I may have to try that.

[Shark_bite]

They will turn into moths. That happened to me over the summer. So find a place to keep them that is not too warm, or too cold.

[trajan003]

Here's another pretty good link...

http://www.adcham.com/html/insects/inse ... aring.html

[tinyfisher]

So my only question is once you have a colony, how do you get at the waxworms without letting any of the moths out?

[BigJim]

I think you're supposed to wait for the moths to die before harvesting the waxworms. The waxworms need some time to grow anyways. For heavy fishing, I'd set up three jars, starting them two weeks apart to get a cycle going. The moths die after laying eggs, the worms grow a little bit, then you can put some away in the fridge to slow their growth and use for fish bait and hopefully you'll have enough to last until the next batch is ready. Just remember to leave enough worms in the jars to keep the cycle going.

[tinyfisher]

Some good info here, and since I just ordered a bunch, figured I'd bump it to the top.

Fran, did you ever get your colony going?

[alphafladge]

The ones my grampa used to get would turn in horse flies darn big ones too !!!

[DOUBLE D]

man ive been keeping mine in the fridge in my bait puck for ever usually run out before they die,
take them out the night before i go so they're lively when you get there.
dd

[i8fish2]

fish more!