Reptiworms Smell Putrid...never smelled like this before

[Aleu]

Has anyone had an issue with their reptiworms smelling putrid or fishy? I'm used to the ammonia smell but never this. I feel like vomiting now as I air them out after having just received them now. I know they eat dead decaying material, but I've been buying reotiworms for awhile now and never had them smell like this....just the normal ammonia smell. Are these still safe to feed?

 

[Fizzylady]

Have you checked for dead ones? The only time I've had that smell was when I had multiple DOA's in the container.

 

[Aleu]

Have you checked for dead ones? The only time I've had that smell was when I had multiple DOA's in the container.

Nope no dead ones. I got 200 large. They are healthy and fat and wiggly....but omg the smell! Just digging around in there is making me want to barf. They are cool too...so its not like they were subjected to high heat. Its not hot here at all.

 

[Aleu]

Did the container still smell after you took the doa's out? I am going to contact them...but I really needed them today and if they are unsafe to feed I wont.

 

[Fizzylady]

Did the container still smell after you took the doa's out? I am going to contact them...but I really needed them today and if they are unsafe to feed I wont.

I took the DOA's out and let the container air out for awhile and the smell went away. Is the substrate wet? Maybe it got moldy somehow? Have you ordered from this supplier before?

 

[Aleu]

Did the container still smell after you took the doa's out? I am going to contact them...but I really needed them today and if they are unsafe to feed I wont.

I took the DOA's out and let the container air out for awhile and the smell went away. Is the substrate wet? Maybe it got moldy somehow? Have you ordered from this supplier before?

Hmm I dont see any mold. I'll keep lid off still it's been an hour. Bleh. And yes I have ordered from them quite a few times before. Never had this problem. I didnt want to bother contacting them if they are safe to feed. But maybe I should let thrm know anyway and see what they say.

The substrate is not wet. It is the correct amount of moist to prevent drying out though if that makes sense. Its not wet to the touch.

 

[Aleu]

Ok I contacted reptiworms and they responded very quickly. That was neat.

They said the following:
"Hi Denise,It is a normal smell, and is just an off gas that the put, leaving them out at room temperature for about an our is usually enough to get the smell to go away, but there is nothing to worry about when feeding to your beardie.Thanks,Kellon Thompson"

They still stink after an hour. I thought the ammonia was off gassing...he said its safe so I will go ahead and feed them. I still wonder if anyone else has had this problem.

I'll let you know how it goes I guess. Thanks for responding and trying to help.

 

[unkempt1]

Someone posted about some Phoenix worms they had bought that had a terrible smell, but they had died and by the poster's comments it sounded like there wasn't a lot of substrate packed in the order. Only time I've heard of something close to this. :dontknow:

 

[Aleu]

Someone posted about some Phoenix worms they had bought that had a terrible smell, but they had died and by the poster's comments it sounded like there wasn't a lot of substrate packed in the order. Only time I've heard of something close to this. :dontknow:

Thank you for posting. It's funny you say that because I noticed yesterday that after having fed off a few of them, the rotting flesh/fish smell appears to be gone and it's turned back to it's normal ammo is smell. So, while the packing media was fine, it may have just had too many worms in it.

My beardie ate them and nothing bad has happened so I think we can assume based on that other thread you mentioned and my personal experience this time, that it has to do with too little packing media or too many worms in too small a co tainer. Airing out did nothing by the way. I hope this helps someone else should it come up for them

Thanks for the reply.