Silkworm mortality rate high? Why?

[gotwqqd]

i purchased 500 eggs, I'm sure there was more than 500
Almost alk seems too have hatched. 5-6 weeks later(very slow growth to what I expected) I have only a little over 100 survived.

It seems they are succumbing to death by possibly dehydration.

I fed them cow once or twice a day, most of which seems to dry up by next day and is wasted.

What should I do to get a better survival rate?

 

[Davecameos]

Silkworms are so tricky for me. You have to keep them very clean. Their inmune system is low and anything can mess it up.

Maybe this guide is useful.
http://www.silkwormstore.co.uk/guide-to-raising-silkworms.html

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

The most common causes of high mortality is 1) introducing bacteria by not washing hands before you handle them 2) temperatures that are off 3) humidity that is off. Hope this helps.

 

[Andee]

How are you keeping them? If you are having humidity problems it means something is wrong with your set up. I keep them in my reptile room because it has more humidity because of the mister and a higher temperature grade.

 

[gotwqqd]

Well it's winter and the house is dry
But most instructions seem to say humidity is bad for them
They live in a plastic shallow container with a lid and screened homes on top
Maybe I should start to put a wet towel on one side

 

[Andee]

Humidity is important when they are young, but be careful about too much. When they are big enough to be actually considered worms instead of just threads humidity is less of an issue.

 

[d3s5]

The lid may be your problem. Humidity is important but so is fresh air. I never put a lid on them after they have hatched. Maybe take the lid off and put a little container of water or wet paper towel to one side - just make sure they can't get to it. Maybe a heating pad underneath if it's too cold. I have always found silkworms easy to keep and raise but things do have to be just right. I think I'm lucky that my bug room just happens to have the right conditions for them.

Deb