Hornworm food with maggots! Are worms safe to feed?

[Mustashio]

Okay, I've bought hornworms multiple times online and have never had a problem with them. Recently I was super excited that the local reptile shop started carrying them so I don't need to pay shipping!

I bought a tub of 15 of them late last week and of course the worms are growing, but I noticed today that there are little tiny white worms crawling all over the food and almost out of the tub! Eewe! I called the reptile shop and they said they are likely maggots, and not baby hornworms, and that I was supposed to refrigerate the food! WHAT?!?! I have never refrigerated the food before! Granted it is warmer here in MN now, and I guess it makes sense, but how was I supposed to refrigerate the food, but not the worms when they come in the tub that they do? Has anyone else had this issue?? I have already fed my beardie about 7 of them before I noticed them today.

Second question is....can I still feed off the 7 horn worms I have left to my beardie? Is it safe? What other food can I feed the horn worms??

 

[Gail]

The horns should be safe, I would feed them. Are the maggots really small and digging through the food? Its very possible they are fruit fly maggots and are harmless.

 

[Mustashio]

Yes they were very small and very wiggly, and they were eating the food. I tossed the whole thing out, but kept the hornworms. There are about 5 left. Is there anything I can feed them over the next couple days before they themselves become food? :wink:

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gail]

As far as I know, they won't eat anything else, at least nothing that is safe for a dragon. You could have kept the food, the maggots are harmless.

 

[Mustashio]

Oh well! Good to know. I guess the dragon gets overindulged for a couple of days! Spoiled rotten! (No pun intended!) :lol:

 

[Gail]

I'm sure he will enjoy that for future reference, fruit flt maggots aren't on the food because its spoiled, they just like soft, wet food.

 

[daner923]

Actually, you can try offering them carrots. They may eat those.