Heating feeders that are kept outside.

[Pusha Man]

I realize that keeping feeders outside seems like a ridiculous idea to most of you who live up north, but I live in Florida. I keep my superworms outside because I don't have room inside (duh). It has been getting unusually cold here during the nights, (in the 30's) which is murder on my supers. I usually keep them in a Tupperware container with the lid off. I was wondering if any of you had any ideas how I could keep these guys warm when it gets chilly outside, other than me having to bring them inside and sleep on top of them. I was thinking I could drape a towel over the top of the container I keep them in? Maybe this would help trap warmth? I'm kind of at a loss, if there was an outlet nearby I would try one of those under-the-tank heaters.

So, what's on your mind?

 

[invictusrules]

Are they in a sheltered spot like a garage or workshop? If so, you could get a heating pad ($15-20 for one without the auto-off) and keep them toasty. If they're just out in the yard, you'd have to shelter the electrical stuff from rain. And grrrrr on this stupid cold front! It's gonna be 18 tonight!!! So much for an early spring in the South.

 

[Pusha Man]

That's the thing. They are in a shed, so there is no way I can plug a heating pad into it.

 

[clear]

Solar panel + batter + heating cable = Warm BD food

 

[invictusrules]

Most sporting goods stores will sell hand/foot warmers that could be a temporary fix. Hot water bottles. Um... hundreds of tankmates for your beardie tonight? Considering the expense of replacing the supers, and it's just temporary (looks like temps are warming back up by Saturday) rig up a spot somewhere, anywhere, inside.

 

[patrickb]

Is an extension cord a possibility? You could run one from your house to the shed and heat them like that, though with the temps being in the 30s, I doubt a heating pad itself would be sufficient to keep them up where you need them temp wise. Probably gonna need a high wattage bulb to produce enough heat in that case. Halogen flood bulbs give off tons of heat and aren't too expensive.

Not sure if you live with roommates or your parents, but maybe you could work out an arrangement where you bring them inside during the evening/nighttime and sit them in a corner or on a table top somewhere overnight, then take them back outside in the morning after it has warmed up some.

Another option would be a kerosene or other oil type based heater kept in the shed, though if flammable chemicals are kept in that same shed, that's not the best of ideas.

 

[pepatt]

Make up some water crystals, put them in ziplock bags, and microwave them. Put them around the tub of worms in a cooler.

That should keep you going over night pretty easily.

I find that water crystals stay warm (or frozen) longer than straight water does, but in a pinch you could probably use just water in the bags. Remember to put the lid on the cooler!

 

[fresnowitte]

Pepatt good response.
Disposable incubator......Hmmm :idea: ......I'll have to keep that in mind if the power ever goes out an I
have eggs in danger of becoming to cool. I could heat up crystals on the wood-burning stove.
That would work in a pinch. :headbang:

 

[neecie]

All of the suggestions seem like a lot to me..............why not just set the container in your bathtub for overnight or even day if it's too cold outside. You only need a short time plan.

 

[pepatt]

All of the suggestions seem like a lot to me..............why not just set the container in your bathtub for overnight or even day if it's too cold outside. You only need a short time plan.

I think the goal is to keep them outside. Perhaps they're not permitted in the house.

My wife wishes I could keep my bugs outside, but she is very gracious in letting me keep them indoors.
Everyone thinks I'm a little off my rocker for raising bugs, but I gotta tell you, sometimes at night I hear those crickets and I think it's summer time!
Then I go outside and hit the 5° air :shock: