I got a little carried away and got a few more PW's than I could use. By the time I opened the last cup (about a month after getting them) there were FLIES in there! :shock: Is this common? I had read that they could last for quite a while (up to 6-8 weeks was my understanding) in the cup, but after about 3 weeks, there were a lot of dead ones (or maybe they were in the cocoon stage?).
Did you buy them directly from Phoenixworms.com, or did you get them from another vendor? Since they all come from Phoenixworms.com to begin with, if you get them from another vendor, they are usually "old" when you get them. I only get mine directly from the source - that way they are fresh and wiggly!
I now order my PWs separate from crickets, even though Ghann offers both. I kept getting old yucky PWs, and often there were only 50 in a cup, and sometimes they were even dead (EW!). I don't blame Ghann, I just think it makes a lot more sense to get them from the source.
It happened to me today.... Freaked me out because they look so creepy. I opened the last cup and right on top there was that big ugly fly. I dont want to open it anymore for fear it will fly out. I may just have to start ordering from the actual website then going through the other vendor, because this time a lot of them were black and hard only about 100 were wiggly and white(I bought about 400 all together)
I had one morph into a fly once and when I opened the cup it flew out into my face and I FLIPPED OUT!! I can tolerate worms, but when they morph into beetles or flies I flip out! Thats why I don't raise bugs.
You guys should call the Phoenix worm store and ask your questions. I had some come right from them and many had died due probably to their handling.
They are replacing them all and they were VERY HELPFUL on the phone! You can also get 500 count cups directly from them with free shipping. I was super pleased with the service!!!!