Waxworm diet?

[wst0209a]

I am trying to raise waxworms again for the second time. The first time I failed. I found a diet on the internet for them and was wondering what you guys think of it.

4 oz. glycerin
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1 box (8 oz.) baby cereal (oat)

Mix it all together and throw the waxworms in it. Do you think that this will keep them alive? Is there anything that I need to add to keep them going?

 

[mightyzug]

waxworms are pests to bee keepers for a good reason... you need some honey in there

i JUST started a waxworm colony, but it appears to be doing pretty well. my food is just equal parts of the baby rice cereal and some dry gutload, mixed with honey and a couple drops of hot water till its nice and clumpy

 

[herpluva]

This is my third go at breeding wax worms. The first time I put to much honey in my food and did not let it dry out enough. They all stuck to it and died
The second time they are died unknown to me why.
Now this time, I have moths that are dropping brownish looking spots all over the wax paper. I am hoping to have wax worms soon. Does anyone know how long the moth takes to die? They have been in there fluttering around for over a week.
So keep trying and it will eventually work. I used about 50 wax worms each try. Just make sure when you add your honey you bake your food to dry it out and then let it air dry a day or two.
That was a sticky stinky mess.

 

[wst0209a]

how long do you bake it for? What all did you use for their diet? I think the moths last for about a week or two, not sure though.

 

[wst0209a]

What are some other diets to use for them that is easy?

 

[kinyonga]

There's a recipe on this site for feeding them...
http://www.adcham.com/html/insects/insects-waxworm-rearing.html

 

[wst0209a]

The waxworms are dying already. I guess they are not eating the mix that I made up for them. I didn't bake it or let it dry out any, I just through it in there still pretty moist. Do you think that could be the problem? Next time I am just going to try bee pollen. Where can you buy bee pollen besides online?

 

[lilyluvsllamas]

I use a mixture of
Honey graham cracker crumbs
Plain oatmeal
Honey water and sugar mixed together
i put it in the microwave for 20 seconds then refrigerated it for a while untill it becomes like play-dough
I have 50 wax-worms in a tub with that and i have had them for a few weeks now and they are starting to turn into cocoons

 

[nick barta]

There are many recipes on the web, I have found one that is easy, and that contains the most common accepted ingredients. Baking is too much work for me, and wheat bran is a more used food than baby cereal, so……………..

Ingredients​

Wheat Bran

10% honey/90% corn syrup

Glycerin (found in drug stores-you may have to hunt for this)

Process​

1) Put about a pound of wheat bran in a large bowl.

2) Heat the honey/corn syrup mix so it pours easily.

3) Pour some of the honey/ corn syrup on the bran-cover the top with a thin layer to start.

4) Add 2 ounces of glycerin to the sticky mess.

5) Knead the mixture with your hands to mix in the liquids into the bran.

6) Add more honey/corn syrup mix to make the bran sticky, but when you make a ball of it in your hand and open your hand, the bran should still be flakes as it falls out of your hand. Your hand will be a sticky mess, the bran will be slightly sticky, but not gooey.



I have 500 pupae starting to hatch, and eggs are being laid as we speak!

 

[ir0k]

are waxworms good for chameleons to eat? how often should they be fed?

 

[sandrachameleon]

wow. old threads never die, eh?

no, waxworms aren't an ideal prey option. offer as treats only. the moth are especially nice treats since hunting flying prey gets most chams going