Okay, so, let’s talk about hornworms. These little guys are pretty common, especially if you’re into gardening or keeping certain pets. I got into dealing with them because I have a bearded dragon, and these worms are like a delicacy for them.
First off, I ordered some hornworms online. They usually come in a small cup with some food at the bottom. That food is specially made for them, kind of like a chow, and it’s all they need to grow big and juicy.
When they arrived, I transferred them to a bigger container. I used a plastic shoebox-sized bin and poked some holes in the lid for ventilation. You don’t want it to get too stuffy in there. I also lined the bottom with paper towels. This makes cleaning up their poop easier, and trust me, they poop a lot.
Feeding and Growing
- I kept the food from the original cup and added it to the new container.
- These worms eat like crazy and grow super fast.
- Within a few days, they doubled in size.
Every day, I checked on them and removed any frass (that’s worm poop) and old food. I replaced it with fresh chow. There are tons of recipes online to make your own hornworm chow, but I just bought a bag of the pre-made stuff. It’s easier, and I know it has all the nutrients they need.
One thing I learned the hard way is not to let them get too big. If you’re feeding them to a pet, you want them to be the right size. My beardie prefers them when they’re about 2-3 inches long. Any bigger, and they’re a bit too much for him.
Storing Them
If you have too many at once, you can slow down their growth by putting them in the fridge. I put them in a separate container for this, so they don’t get mixed up with the regular food. This keeps them alive but kind of puts them in a state of slow-motion.
So, yeah, that’s pretty much it. It’s not rocket science, but it does take a little bit of effort. They’re pretty low-maintenance, really. Just keep them fed, clean up their mess, and they’ll be good to go. And your reptile, or whatever you’re feeding them to, will thank you for it!
