Can hornworms be kept in a wine fridge...like my reptis?

[Sherri]

I don't want them to grow so big so fast LOLOL....they get HUGE quickly So I am hoping I can do this. If not, is there a way to keep them from growing so quickly rather than regular refrigerator for a bit and then out a bit...back and forth is kind of a hassle right now lol.

 

[forum1983]

I really don't think you can, but I would try it with a few and see if they live. Hornworms grow fast, that is just how they are, maybe you can not feed them as often. Like let them eat a couple hours a day and then but them in a different container the rest of the time. But I'm not sure if that is safe for them either.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Negative, they die even at 55 degrees.

 

[Sherri]

Ok, Thank you...I guess he will get a little more than I intended each day

How long will they live once fully grown if food is provided? Maybe as my little guy grows there will be time for him to get big enough for the large ones? Well, that will be months actually since he is only 6 weeks old and 8" now...
Thank you again

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

If you have a cooler spot in the house, that will slow the worms down a bit.

 

[invictusrules]

I've had my eye on buying a wine fridge for a while, for just this purpose. I've tried the ice chest routine, but the temps kept fluctuating too much. If you have a wine fridge, try 60 - 65 degrees, and see how they do. They won't survive for weeks or anything, but they'll definitely slow down for a few days. Just have good chow and a warm place for them to recover from the big chill.

The big caterpillars can go into a regular fridge at 40 degrees for a few days, then out for a while. This actually worked for me. I put them through a few cycles, but then I forgot about the poor things and left them in. Ewww. Talk about scary stuff in the fridge - mummified blue worms... :shock:

 

[Sherri]

I forgot about the poor things and left them in. Ewww. Talk about scary stuff in the fridge - mummified blue worms... :shock:

LOL...yummers. I have done the in/out fridge thing also...but when I set them on top of the viv over where the basking light is...to warm them up......well...after a few days they *were* goliath for sure! LOL So that is how I know how quickly they can become too large for your beardie lol