Phoenix Worm "Stuff"?

[JethrosMom]

Hey everyone! I hope this isn't a stupid question, but does the brown "stuff" in the phoenix worm container hurt the beardies if they eat a little? I have been picking the worms out with tweezers and tapping on the side of the container to knock most of it off, but some always remains. Just want to make sure it won't hurt my babies! Thanks!

 

[zandi202]

I don't know if it will, but I've always been told you're supposed to wash and then dry phoenix worms.

 

[JethrosMom]

Thanks, Zandi! I'll start doing that right away.

 

[Dr. Phoenix]

The packing media is 100% organic and is not harmful if ingested but it can be easily removed before feeding. Copied/pasted below is FAQ information published on our website:

Q: How do I get the packing media off the worms? Is it harmful if my pet eats it?
A: Pour out the worms you plan to serve in a small dish and let them dry for a few minutes. The media will fall off the dry worms and you can easily blow away any residue that remains. Another way to clean worms quickly is to pour approximately the amount you want to feed into a cup/bowl of water. The worms will float and the media will sink to the bottom. Lift off the floating worms from the water surface with a hand strainer, pour onto a paper towel, and pat dry. Note: If your pet should accidentally ingest any particles, they are harmless.

Q: How do you keep Phoenix Worms from climbing out of their dish?
A: Just make sure you serve dry worms in a dry dish. Any moisture will enable Phoenix Worms to climb!

JethrosMom, you should have received a care sheet with this information plus more tips in the package with your first order. We apologize if it was not enclosed with your shipment.

Craig Sheppard, Ph.D.
President, Insect Science Resource LLC
Emeritus, University of Georgia
http://www.phoenixworm.com

 

[JethrosMom]

Thanks for the info, Craig. No worries about the care sheet....I actually buy my worms from a local pet store since it's less expensive that way so I've never actually received a shipment directly from y'all. But I'm buying your brand and my beardies LOVE them!

 

[sweetpea1981]

I can't see a local petstore selling the worms for cheaper than you can get at the website! Every time I have priced them they seem WAY more expensive at the store. I used to get 1000 large for $44.90 at http://www.phoenixworm.com/servlet/StoreFront that included the shipping!

 

[JethrosMom]

I just rechecked to make sure my math was correct. 400 large worms from the pet store cost me $27.24. 400 from the website would cost $33.90!

 

[sweetpea1981]

Now see Iwould get 1000 large for $44.90 and that was with the shipping!

 

[VerriKerri]

I let them sit in the bowl for a few minutes before giving them to Dixon and then it shakes right off of them and he doesn't eat much of it but from what the care sheet says it seems it's okay if they ingest some accidentally. How would one go about washing them if they wanted to, now I'm interested.

 

[Goodtruant]

I let them sit in the bowl for a few minutes before giving them to Dixon and then it shakes right off of them and he doesn't eat much of it but from what the care sheet says it seems it's okay if they ingest some accidentally. How would one go about washing them if they wanted to, now I'm interested.

I take a small bowl and fill it about halfway with lukewarm water. I tweeze out 20-25 little worms and the substrate sinks to the bottom, the worms float to the top. You can either use a little mesh strainer (used for this purpose only!) to scoop them out, or you can tweeze them out. I'll drop them on a paper towel to dry off, then put them in a dry feeding bowl. They can hardly climb anything when they are dry on a dry surface. Sometimes I'll just tweeze them out and set a few on a rock...if Draper is right there ready to eat. He'll eat a few at a time, and I'll just sort of hand feed them to him. He usually tries to eat them right out of the tweezers....and he's an adult, still loves the phoenix worms.

 

[VerriKerri]

I take a small bowl and fill it about halfway with lukewarm water. I tweeze out 20-25 little worms and the substrate sinks to the bottom, the worms float to the top. You can either use a little mesh strainer (used for this purpose only!) to scoop them out, or you can tweeze them out. I'll drop them on a paper towel to dry off, then put them in a dry feeding bowl. They can hardly climb anything when they are dry on a dry surface. Sometimes I'll just tweeze them out and set a few on a rock...if Draper is right there ready to eat. He'll eat a few at a time, and I'll just sort of hand feed them to him. He usually tries to eat them right out of the tweezers....and he's an adult, still loves the phoenix worms.

Ah, Interesting. I'll have to try that out, right now I just tweeze them out of the container and into his bowl. Btw I saw your video of Draper and your cat and him eating the dubia for the first time, so cute!!

 

[Goodtruant]

I take a small bowl and fill it about halfway with lukewarm water. I tweeze out 20-25 little worms and the substrate sinks to the bottom, the worms float to the top. You can either use a little mesh strainer (used for this purpose only!) to scoop them out, or you can tweeze them out. I'll drop them on a paper towel to dry off, then put them in a dry feeding bowl. They can hardly climb anything when they are dry on a dry surface. Sometimes I'll just tweeze them out and set a few on a rock...if Draper is right there ready to eat. He'll eat a few at a time, and I'll just sort of hand feed them to him. He usually tries to eat them right out of the tweezers....and he's an adult, still loves the phoenix worms.

Ah, Interesting. I'll have to try that out, right now I just tweeze them out of the container and into his bowl. Btw I saw your video of Draper and your cat and him eating the dubia for the first time, so cute!!

Haha, can't believe that was almost a year ago (the dubia video)!