wax worms

[bill]

i just started using wax worms while ice fishing. it seems like they die if they aren't in my warm pocket all the time, and they die if i put them in the fridge. am i supposed to keep them in a fridge and do you keep them in your pocket or warm at all times? thanks

[MrDucks]

Need to be kept at room temp--all the time!

[slick2526]

Why when you go to a gas sation or bait store they are in a fridge?? just for like a storage rack? can you just leave them one your dresser or put um in a drawer?

[buzzer IA]

Buddy of mine owns a bait shop and he always keeps his at room temp with a fan going on low speed all the time..Don't know why..But he does keep several thousand at a time..2 cents worth..
buzzer

[Dave S.]

It is my recollection that wax worms should be stored around 55 - 60 degrees F. Before going ice fishing I put a bunch in an old "snuff can" with small amount of bedding and keep them in an inner coat pocket. You don't want to set them down on the ice as they will freeze and all die. Likewise a refrigerator is way to cold to storing them when not fishing. I store mine in a cold area of the house near an exterior wall that is cold. Mine are under the kitchen sink cabinet adjacent to an exterior north wall that is cool. Can buy a cheap thermoter to sit next to them to get an idea of the adjacent storage temp. When done fishing I dump the worms from the snuff can back into the larger storage container.

Doing this they should keep for 3 - 4 weeks. Make sure to periodically dump them all out on a piece of newspaper sorting and throwing away the dark black dead worms.

[Juls_WI]

We keep the bulk of our waxworms in the fridge at the baitshop.
We keep what we will sell that day at room temp.
Keeping them in the fridge only makes them dormant, and they will keep for a long time that way. Keeping them at room temp all the time will speed up the process of turning the little buggers into flies.
They may look dead to you when they are cold, because they are not moving, but just warm them up, and they will start moving again.
I know some gross people who actually pop a few in their mouths, to warm them up fast, when they are ice fishing. "Yuck", I say!! LOL

Waxworms are hearty little grubs and won't die that easily.

Juls

[Backwater Eddy]

MMMMM--EH the black one's taste like jellie bean's, NUMMMMM!!!

Backwater Eddy..><,,>

[BIGJIM]

I've used waxies for years...generally remove the from large carton and place them and the bedding in a large seasoning salt jar ( emptied of course). Place several holes in screw on lid. Keep them between trips on window sill. Keep them in a coat pocket on the lake..Screw on top prevents those nasty spills in shack or pocket!! They usualy last all season!!

[Brad/nd]

I buy waxworms in bulk (250) at a time. They must be kept away from the cold. Mine stay right on the counter top when I'm home, and every other day, check for dead (black) colored worms & discard them, otherwise, they can ruin the whole batch in a couple of days. Use a plastic container, they will eat through styrofoam, and have plenty of air holes on top, not so big they can crawl out! When out on the ice, I keep a smaller (wifes' tupperware) container in my pocket, or the pickup dash. Do not leave them out in the direct cold, they will die within a day. I have kept them alive for weeks this way.

Take care,

Brad

[Bill]

now i am just confused...

[Kepemwarm]

My wife has knitted them little sweaters and booties, that seems to do the trick on keeping them warm

[ezmarc]

Bill,

I agree with Juls, keep em in the fridge. Works for a couple months and they don't fly away.

[scumfrog]

Just don't let em freeze. They'll keep for several days at room temp. Any longer than that and they should be refridged. Also, be sure to remove the dead ones frequently. Good fishin! Don't forget the spikes or mousies! They will sometimes outfish waxies and are hardier!

[EAGLE EYES]

Bill, Juls is 100% accurate with this. If you are storing them, keep them cool in the frig. Don't freeze them though! Keeping them cool will dormant them, freezing them will kill them. Yes, when they are warm, they are more active. So the ones your using that day should be kept warm. Hey Eddy, I like the black ones too! :-) They taste more like chocolate than jelly beans though!