Do silkworms stink?

[royden]

Do silkworms stink?

Compared to crickets?

Would an open air case(screentop) of 100 silkworms in the basement make my wife happy or sad?

She currently refers to said screened cage downstairs as the 'cricket crypt', and I'm thinking of switching to silkworms for a month.

 

[Electric]

not at all in my experience, if kept dry, the worms and droppings don't even smell like anything, the only thing you'll smell the most (and only if you stick your nose in the box) is the chow, it's got a bit of a funky skunkiness to it lol

 

[Mintglow]

100 silkworms in the basement would make MOST women sad

I've always felt that crickets are way stinkier than silkworms. Grosser, too. Worms are also less likely to escape, and that's a plus. If stink is a problem, keep some open containers of baking soda near the cage, it's a non-chemical and safe way of keeping the smell down.

 

[lonomac]

Yes just the chow stinks. But you really have to be close to even smell that. Crickets are way nastier

 

[koabich]

Except for when you are making the Silkworm chow. It stinks up the entire house!

 

[Jeweledchameleons]

Silkworms have to be kept clean and in a placid environment.
No Bacteria, No Fungus = No Decomposition = No Nitrates (foul smells)

The chow is like fresh grass clippings to myself (ymmv)
either way, if you're got a reek coming from the silkies,
you've got a problem.

roaches are easier and don't smell either
(tell her that they're vanuatu papaya flower beatles vs "roaches"
and you may just be able to get away with it). hehehe

 

[leanna156]

Mine don't stink. The mulberry chow reminds me of the smell of green tea.

 

[royden]

Thanks all!

Yeah, I really like the smell of the crickets dry gutload. I wish they always smelled like that.

Trying to figure out a way to get dubia's passed the wife. Don't think I could live with the guilt though. I'd keep a container out in the yard shed, but the winters here in the northwest will kill them.

Thanks for the input!

 

[ChameleoG]

The mulberry chow reminds me of the smell of green tea.

I dont know what kinda green tea your drinking silkworms and all silkworm paraphinalea (dont think i spelled that right) smell awful

 

[Scaley]

I dont know what kinda green tea your drinking silkworms and all silkworm paraphinalea (dont think i spelled that right) smell awful

Smell is so subjective. Some people like the smell of a skunk. I personally hate the smell of stargazer lillies. I have silkies and actually like the smell of the colony. The chow smells alot like some of the green food powders that you can buy from a health food store. Anyway, comparing the smell of silkies to crix is like compairing an unused diaper to a used diaper with the crix being the used. I know this thread is old but someone will find it useful.

 

[chrisandpugs]

How offensive do you find Mulberry Mash??Male or Female

I had to laugh and totally agree with the previous feedbacks regarding the smell of the mulberry mash especially after you have just made a fresh batch of it!
It was Leena who made a statement that the smell resembled a Green Tea smell and I think that is what I associate with the mash smell. I, myself don't find the smell offensive at all but my husband hates the smell especially after I microwave a fresh batch of the mash.....The new batch smell will linger in the kitchen for a few days. My husband tolerates it only because it's for an obvious cause, to feed the silkworms with but the smell still drives him up the wall!!

Hey, a new poll: All you Men and Woman out there in the forum: Do you find the Mash smell offensive to your nose buds?? Let's rule out the smell of a newly made batch of mulberry mash since that is relatively a super strong for anyone's nose buds!!). My theory: The smell is more offesive to men more than woman......Let's see if I'm right or completely off-base!!

Christine

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

Hey, a new poll: All you Men and Woman out there in the forum: Do you find the Mash smell offensive to your nose buds?? Let's rule out the smell of a newly made batch of mulberry mash since that is relatively a super strong for anyone's nose buds!!). My theory: The smell is more offesive to men more than woman......Let's see if I'm right or completely off-base!!

Christine

Christine- the silkworm chow definitely outguns the stench of crickets, as far as I'm concerned. Nasty, nasty, nasty. And I'm a gal, by the way. Husband hates it, too. But our chams love the silkworms so much, and they're so good for the chams, that it's more than worth it. Oh- very pretty veiled cham you have there, by the way !

 

[Mesnik]

For all you silkies users, how to you handle the dusting? Calcium every meal? Calcium + D3 2wice a month? Heptivite?

And do you feed the silkies chow stricktly?


I am trying to convert from crix...


Thanks!!
Roberto