Keeping and breeding Wax Worms

Keeping and breeding wax worms

1. Best way to start raising waxworms is to go to the pet store and buy a few.
2. Prepare an escape proof container for them ie 3 to 5 gallon tank with screened lid (tape it on later).
3. You will also need a substrate- get some bran and honey- mix it together in a double boiler until it is well blended. Remove the mix from the double boiler- spread it out on a cookie sheet to cool and harden, when the mix is cool crumble it into the tank. Yes the mix may still be sticky.
4. Put the wax worms in the container with the substrate.
5. Add a few crumpled balls of wax paper as well.
6. Keep the wax worms at room temp. eventually the waxworms will begin to spin cocoons. They will remain in their cocoons for approx two weeks- then moths will emerge.
7. The moths will mate and live for about a week or so- they will lay their eggs in the wax paper.
8. A couple of weeks after the moths have died you will see lots of tiny worms. They grow fast if they are kept at room temp- so once they are half grown you may want to store them in the fridge in a container with small air holes and some of the honey and bran mix. If you leave them at room temp the cycle will begin again. :)
9. The reason that I suggest taping the screen lid on is that the wax worms can climb glass and they can also crawl through the screen if they are small enough, also when they are in the moth stage they fly around so you will want a secure lid to keep them in the container. :)

      Enjoy- it's quite easy- but if they escape you may find that your house is full of them!

Suppliers

      Here is a link to a web site that lists cricket suppliers The information is organized in tabel form and it's very easy to compare prices, shipping charges, and other ordering information. Mealworms, superworms, etc. are also listed. is: Mail- order insect suppliers.

Bug Books

Eat This Bug : A Guide to Invertebrate Live Foods for Reptiles and Amphibians by Lynn Davis

      This book is a guide for owners of reptiles and amphibians who feed insects and other live foods to their pets. Advice is offered for selecting , ordering and raising your own supply of live invertebrate foods. More than a dozen species of live foods are discussed. The book includes instructions on keeping cultures of insects, and recipes & diets for insects.

Are You Poisoning Your Pets?: A Guidebook to How Our Lifestyles Affect the Health of Our Pets

     Countless pets are poisoned each year, either suffering a sudden illness or death or encountering toxins on a daily basis that erode their health slowly and shorten their lifespan. This helpful guide tells how to guard against both kinds of poisoning and explains how to identify and remove such causes as cleaning products, paint and varnish, fumes, certain houseplants, and more.

A Field Guide to Common Animal Poisons

     A quick reference guide written for veterinary practitioners and students featuring complete information on animal exposure to toxins in common and uncommon situations. Murphy (toxicology, U. of Minnesota) supplies treatment regimes, and one to two page summaries of each toxin's attributes, diagnosis, and treatment. The guide also provides extensive bibliographic materials, and resource listings that include veterinary diagnostic laboratories and poison control centers in every state.

Water Dragon Books

Green Water Dragons, Sailfin Lizards and Basilisks (General Care and Maintenance of Series) by Philippe De Vosjoli

      Basic but detailed information about the care, diet, and health of green water dragons, sailfin lizards and basilisks.

Anoles, Basilisks and Water Dragons : A Complete Pet Care Manual (More Complete Pet Owner's Manuals) by Richard D. Bartlett, Patricia P. Bartlett (Contributor)

     Discussion of the general care of many species of anole, basilisks and water dragons. Excellent information regarding enclosures, cage building, and insect care and breeding.

Eat This Bug : A Guide to Invertebrate Live Foods for Reptiles and Amphibians by Lynn Davis

      This book is a guide for owners of reptiles and amphibians who feed insects and other live foods to their pets. Advice is offered for selecting , ordering and raising your own supply of live invertebrate foods. More than a dozen species of live foods are discussed. The book includes instructions on keeping cultures of insects, and recipes & diets for insects.