Mold in Silkworm Container

clyde612

Juvie Member
Beardie name(s)
Clyde
Hi!

I’ve had this issue before with silkworms because the container they come in gets so much moisture (from the food at the bottom) plus they poop a lot. Last time a yellow mold randomly started and spread quickly. I fed a couple of the worms when it was just a small patch of mold but once it grew I threw them away. Similar issue today, I had accidentally put my order in twice and got too many. The second tub had a bit too much poop which started molding white mold.

I switched these worms from their bad container to the non-moldy container that had just been emptied (all previous worms fed-off). Should I just throw them out? Will they be okay now that they’re in a clean environment? I didn’t wash the actual worms off at all.
 

Groggyfroggie

Juvie Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Draco
I think you can let them sit and see if anything happens in the new container. Silkworms are very susceptible to germs and whatnot but if they seem okay at the moment then they’re fine. Personally I’ve never used silkworm chow, but I saw other people mention that you can put the container upside down, so the silks hang on top and their poop would fall to the bottom. Hope that helps!
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
I've had similar issues with hornworms and silkworms. It's important to clear out all of the poop at least once every day and allow plenty of airflow in the containers they come in. Having the container upside down and edges propped up on something (I use two hockey pucks spaced apart) allows airflow and makes the poop fall to the bottom away from the food as mentioned earlier.

I eventually started moving them over to a shoebox sized plastic tote with lots of holes drilled in the top (like a peg board). I put a piece of paper towel down at the bottom then add the worms gently one at a time. I've been buying the chow separately (either precooked or as a powder that I cook and store in the fridge) I scoop out a couple of spoonfuls of the chow and add one to each side of the bin. Then I just watch and try to keep everything clean. I add less food if the mosture builds up too much and more if it gets dried out quickly. I change out the paper and food as needed, usually every day. The silks are more delicate than the hornworms so be sure to handle them gently and with clean hands. Remove any that start to look deflated or decaying. This system has worked pretty well for me but takes some extra attention just to make sure everything stays clean.
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
HAHA we all keeps pets thats food is like having a whole other pet (or 20) got to feed them, water them, and clean up the poop just like the beardie. o_O
o_O:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 

Rocky2022

Sub-Adult Member
Beardie name(s)
Rocky, Ruby
I too experienced the hornworms experience. That IS a full time job - no thanks. They poop A LOT and grow too fast! I also noticed the mold and had to elevate it, turn it upside down--- I was would rather put the effort into the dubias!
 

clyde612

Juvie Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Clyde
Yeah I don’t keep lots of them, I buy maybe 20 at a time.

If they look okay it won’t be a problem to still feed them off? Won’t make her sick?

I used to turn hornworm container upside down but have been forgetting to do that with silkworms, so will do next time!
 

Groggyfroggie

Juvie Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Draco
Yeah I don’t keep lots of them, I buy maybe 20 at a time.

If they look okay it won’t be a problem to still feed them off? Won’t make her sick?

I used to turn hornworm container upside down but have been forgetting to do that with silkworms, so will do next time!
If they’re still alive they’re good to feed off. Silks are so delicate if they’re contaminated it’s super easy to tell. But if you’re still a bit worried maybe wait for them to shed, then feed them to your beardie 😄
 

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