Dead silks

[KatCham]

Aaaaaaah

I think my prob has been the condensation in the tub!

Kate, do u have any left to buy? Of a decent size? X

 

[pigglett79]

I keep my silks in a container w a screen lid. I have never had a die off (until this last batch from a new source) and have never been particularly careful about sanitizing. I usually get my chow from mulberry farms and cook according to the microwave instructions. I have read that zebra silks are less prone to health issues, so if you have had trouble in the past maybe try ordering the zebras.

Another note, my boyfriend has even admitted to handling them without washing his hands and even putting uneaten silks back in the container. Most of these were our own that we bred, but some were ordered online as well.

 

[deadhd5]

Another note, my boyfriend has even admitted to handling them without washing his hands and even putting uneaten silks back in the container. Most of these were our own that we bred, but some were ordered online as well.

I can't tell you how maddening this statement is to me!!! lol.

The last time I got silks I left them alone for 5 days (didn't even look at them), thinking that they couldn't get sick if I didn't handle or breathe on them. Wrong, it was a silkworm genocide when I looked in there!

My strategy next time will be to use the sanitizer recommended below, feed the silks in small, one day portions, and keep them in a room away from my other insects. I, however, am not optimistic.

 

[pigglett79]

I can't tell you how maddening this statement is to me!!! lol.

The last time I got silks I left them alone for 5 days (didn't even look at them), thinking that they couldn't get sick if I didn't handle or breathe on them. Wrong, it was a silkworm genocide when I looked in there!

My strategy next time will be to use the sanitizer recommended below, feed the silks in small, one day portions, and keep them in a room away from my other insects. I, however, am not optimistic.

LOL, sorry to upset you. I think the key for me is that I use the containers shown on my blog, they have lots of ventilation, and I put small amounts of food in each day. I keep the food in a frig that is dedicated to bug stuff. I clean out the poop each day when I feed them as well.

 

[deadhd5]

LOL, sorry to upset you. I think the key for me is that I use the containers shown on my blog, they have lots of ventilation, and I put small amounts of food in each day. I keep the food in a frig that is dedicated to bug stuff. I clean out the poop each day when I feed them as well.

Thanks for the tips I will do a daily cleaning along with a daily feeding. Do you remove uneaten food when doing the daily cleaning?

I hope I can have some success, because silkworms are so cool! I feel so bad helplessly watching the little guys turn into nasty goo.

 

[SMCNARY]

I keep my silks in a container w a screen lid. I have never had a die off (until this last batch from a new source) and have never been particularly careful about sanitizing. I usually get my chow from mulberry farms and cook according to the microwave instructions. I have read that zebra silks are less prone to health issues, so if you have had trouble in the past maybe try ordering the zebras.

Another note, my boyfriend has even admitted to handling them without washing his hands and even putting uneaten silks back in the container. Most of these were our own that we bred, but some were ordered online as well.

I don't want to break any site rules so I will not mention the source but I have never had a problem with my silks UNTIL this last batch from a new source and as I mentioned in a previous post I lost all 200 within days.
Makes me think they might have been a bad batch!!! ??? I had gotten some others from the other source and they all did fine. All were kept in the same area and had the exact same food,care etc.

 

[pigglett79]

Yes I do remove uneaten food.

 

[ataraxia]

I don't raise silks from eggs, but I do buy them very small and raise them from there. I have found not putting a lid on the container helps. I use a shallow Tupperware container and they do not crawl out. I noticed when I put a lid on that condensation would form. I have had some bunches of them turn all squishy and ooze and I just assumed it was grasserie.

Im with this woman. Hgh moisture and low air flow = squishy liquid silks

 

[nightanole]

Do you think the sanitising gels you can buy would work? I have thought of using this but some are alcohol based and have a fragrance. I wonder if that would affect the worms? Anyone use these?

The problem with santizers like those are they will kill the worms if active, and dont do squat after they evaporate.

The starsan the worms can eat. it can dry out, then reactivates when wet again. If you do like 1oz to 5 gallons, its shelf stable for years.

Starsan can be bought anywhere you buy beer brewing equipment(even amazon). its a yeast edible, semi acidic, sanitizer that prohibits the growth of mold,bateria, and viruses. Its used to keep your beer from getting a cold during fermentation before the alcohol level is high enough to prevent an infection on its own. Then the yeast eats the starsan so it doesnt flavor the beer.

 

[deadhd5]

The problem with santizers like those are they will kill the worms if active, and dont do squat after they evaporate.

The starsan the worms can eat. it can dry out, then reactivates when wet again. If you do like 1oz to 5 gallons, its shelf stable for years.

Starsan can be bought anywhere you buy beer brewing equipment(even amazon). its a yeast edible, semi acidic, sanitizer that prohibits the growth of mold,bateria, and viruses. Its used to keep your beer from getting a cold during fermentation before the alcohol level is high enough to prevent an infection on its own. Then the yeast eats the starsan so it doesnt flavor the beer.

Cool, thanks for the tip. I have been relying on hand sanitizer, maybe this will make a difference. I just picked up a 32 oz bottle.

 

[nightanole]

Cool, thanks for the tip. I have been relying on hand sanitizer, maybe this will make a difference. I just picked up a 32 oz bottle.

So enough to make 160 gallons. Might want to share with the rest of the class

 

[SMCNARY]

cool, thanks for the tip. I have been relying on hand sanitizer, maybe this will make a difference. I just picked up a 32 oz bottle.

where did you get yours ?

 

[deadhd5]

where did you get yours ?

Amazon, where I get almost everything

 

[Kate]

The problem with santizers like those are they will kill the worms if active, and dont do squat after they evaporate.

The starsan the worms can eat. it can dry out, then reactivates when wet again. If you do like 1oz to 5 gallons, its shelf stable for years.

Starsan can be bought anywhere you buy beer brewing equipment(even amazon). its a yeast edible, semi acidic, sanitizer that prohibits the growth of mold,bateria, and viruses. Its used to keep your beer from getting a cold during fermentation before the alcohol level is high enough to prevent an infection on its own. Then the yeast eats the starsan so it doesnt flavor the beer.

Thanks that is really interesting. I can get it from amazon.

 

[SMCNARY]

Amazon, where I get almost everything

Thanks! I will do that as well.