Slowing hornworm growth

[EarlMT]

If hornworms are put in an area that's 50-60 degrees how long would they last without dying? Or how do you guys slow there growth?
Thanks!

 

[Decadancin]

I'm not totally sure, but I would suggest only putting them in cooler conditions for a couple days at a time. Then you can warm them up a bit and put them back into cooler temps. I think (no actual scientific reasons) this would work best.

 

[EarlMT]

I'm not totally sure, but I would suggest only putting them in cooler conditions for a couple days at a time. Then you can warm them up a bit and put them back into cooler temps. I think (no actual scientific reasons) this would work best.

Like in cool condition for a day or two then back inside for a day or two? I just ordered about 50 of them but my Cham seems to equally enjoy crickets now that he has an abundance of hornworms lol.

 

[Decadancin]

Yeah, I try to keep about half of the worms in a cooler with some ice packs on the opposite side to slow the growth, but I find it necessary to let them warm back up a bit to keep them alive and well. I still haven't mastered the exact equation because I don't have a chameleon that eats lots of horn worms.

 

[Ilike4hornedchams]

If hornworms are put in an area that's 50-60 degrees how long would they last without dying? Or how do you guys slow there growth?
Thanks!

I had them in my house when it was like 65 degrees on the reg for a while and they did fine they just grew slower. (still pretty damn fast honestly though! Faster than silk worms for sure)

 

[Nursemaia]

I stick them on the fridge door

 

[EarlMT]

I stick them on the fridge door

How long do you leave them in the fridge for?

 

[Nursemaia]

Sometimes I do it for 3-4 days

 

[EarlMT]

Sometimes I do it for 3-4 days

What temps is your fridge at? Rn I have them in my garage which is probably around 50 degrees Because I don't want to put them in the fridge and see them all die before my chameleon can devour them.

 

[Nursemaia]

It's a mini fridge. I don't have a thermometer in it. I have the dial set in the middle. I lose some after a couple of days but not many. They perk up once I take them out and they have a chance to warm up and eat.

 

[Nursemaia]

If I really want to make them last I'll leave them out for a day and then put them right back in the fridge. I know it's colder than your garage. They basically stop doing anything when they're in there

 

[ZacharyLeesWife]

I would be homeless if I got caught putting my worms in the fridge. I always have way too many though, so I just put ice packs underneath they're enclosures.