Help with raising silkworms!

[chamer]

I have read all the prior information on silkworms. I have tried to hatch 2 batches of appx. 10 eggs each time. The first batch did OK until about 2 weeks then they all died off slowly. I then found they may not have been warm enough so now have had this batch at a higher temp. 75 to 85 and they seem larger, (but still very small) now getting close to weeks again they seem to be dyeing off. There are only about 4 of the 10 or so left. Any other thoughts on what I could be doing wrong?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Are you using leaves or chow? Is the chow too wet? are your hands and spoons etc really clean?

 

[chamer]

chow, I do not have a tree for leaves. It doesnt seem too wet, dries out pretty quickly. I only touch a wooden stick and wash my hands before I do that. I use the same stick without washing it, could it be that?

 

[chamer]

Sandra, I see you are in BC Canada! Are you near Baniff or Jasper? I love it there, it is the most beautiful place I have ever been.

 

[pssh]

They are very sensitive to bacteria. Make sure everything is clean next time you try

 

[sandrachameleon]

Sandra, I see you are in BC Canada! Are you near Baniff or Jasper? I love it there, it is the most beautiful place I have ever been.

Im on Vancouver Island (which is equally lovely, though I too enjoyed my time in Banff /Jasper

Feed the silkies frequently, and with a fairly dry almost crumbly chow. Wash the stick/spoon between feedings. Keep a lid on the container if your relative humidity is really low, to keep some humidity from the chow in there.

 

[chamer]

Thanks for the help I will try again, the humidity is at 50% right now should it be higher? I am feeding 3 to 4 times a day, is that ok?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Thanks for the help I will try again, the humidity is at 50% right now should it be higher? I am feeding 3 to 4 times a day, is that ok?

That's about what mine are getting.
GOOD LUCK! maybe third time is the charm

 

[chamer]

paper towel for silk worms?

still trying to raise silkworms from eggs with no luck. So I just ordered some small ones, they are about 1 and 1/2 weeks to 2 weeks old and they are MUCH Bigger then mine ever got at 2 to 3 weeks old. I was thinking maybe it was the paper towel at the bottom of cage that has been the problem? So I just dumpped the new worms on the plastic bottom. Will come up with one of the keeper cages, but do you think the paper towel could have tried them out?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Mine are always on paper towelling, and that hasnt been a problem.

 

[chamer]

thanks again for the information I will try again!