wax worms and spikes at home

[Dwayne Denison]

Does anyone on here raise there own wax worms or spikes? If so I have a few questions, as I would like to start doing this.

 

Thanks

Dwayne

[gilinator]

"Once you get the colony going, it can last several months. The moths lay eggs at different times before dying so you will have wax worms in several sizes. Just pick out the big ones to fish with and leave the small ones to grow."

I wouldn't do it that way. I had a few very small ones but most were the same size. I like them all to start out approximately at the same time so they finish up around the same time. It's easier to harvest them. Then I started another colony from moths.

Before I raised them I had no idea they were bee colony parasites.

[Johnny wilkins]

 

Dwayne-

Raising both spikes and waxworms has its pitfalls and in many cases is best NOT done at home.

 

Answer these few questions to see if you are still interested:

 

1. Do you have an area where you don’t mind the nastiest smell you ever came across in your life?

 

1. Do you mind if someone in your family or your neighbors (downwind) smell the stench of death and rotting flesh.

 

1. Do you have an area where grubs can crawl freely when they escape in the 100’s?

 

1. Do you have access to sawdust?

 

1. Do you have extra time to care for these for weeks as they develop?

 

I ask these questions because I have attempted both and both have their really bad points. Wax worms would be my choice to raise as the spikes create a massive stench and this stench will leap onto whatever clothing you have, on your hair, on your skin. In the process of making spikes - you will smell like you died and were left in the sun. 

Now- if you are still thinking of going forward with your pursuit know that very few species of flies yield larger spikes as their larvae. Most lay many eggs but produce a spike about 1/2 the size you find in the bait store - which isn’t bad, but it isn’t good. You will need to adjust your hooks to a size 16 or 18 to use these.

 

Whichever way you go - this might not be the best method to get your bait. There are bait wholesalers that sell these in bulk. My largest order was 59,000 spikes in a shipment for a USA vs. Canada bankfishing competition in which I was ordering for both sides. A bait double agent, if you will, this experience was stressful as FedEx redirected the shipment to a regional holding facility and I had to make a detour to save these and make it to the event on time.

 

If you have a club near you or a few fishing partners - ordering in quantity in the Spring is affordable and you can get great bait- often better than in the store at around $4.50 per 1,000 spikes including shipping.

 

Bait stores order from distributors, who then unpack and hold these. By the time they hit the stores, not only are they 1 week old, but in many cases - they are not stored at the ideal temperature. This causes the spikes to shrink and use up their food source, and causes them stress. Physical stress weakens the bait and will weaken your hook bait and presentation. 

 

Note that it is NOT ideal to order both wax worms and spikes in the same shipment as wax worms prefer 50 degree temperatures while spikes do better right around 34 degrees. Something has to give, either chilling the waxies or heating up the spikes by not packing enough ice in the shipment.

 

Lastly - bait storage on your end will require its own fridge for the spikes. These are best kept just above freezing so they are not moving. These do escape from their containers and for best storage need to be slightly opened to avoid the ammonia build-up and co2 -  they need fresh air. Keeping other food in this fridge is not advised. No matter how well you care for them - even if you change the sawdust covering - they will smell. 

 

Note that smaller mini fridges don’t tend to be cold enough to do the job for spike storage. Even the best fridge, with proper care and good containers will only keep a spike about 3 - 5 weeks. The 5 week figure being the end of the line.

 

This brings us to another point- when you go fishing how many spikes do you use? Do you loose-feed the spikes? I typically will use a bunch when competing or fishing for gills, but the average angler might not make it through 50 spikes in an outing.

 

If you do get together with friends on a shipment, or you split the shipment with a local bait store or start a bluegill club near you to create a demand for your bulk shipments- you can order a couple times a summer. Fresh spikes catch a TON of gills. Stressed, thin, weak spikes catch some gills. I hope some of this has answered a thing or two and adjusted your mission.

 

I would rule out the spikes but wax worms could be good. I can tell you to watch out because when the new larvae hatch - they are very small and can crawl through screening and create a grub explosion! Best of luck - keep us updated.

 

Johnny

[gilinator]

They can also eat through any fabric mesh and escape! I had a Styrofoam lid and the waxies tunneled into it too.

[Johnny wilkins]

Good to find a local buddy or club to split the shipping UPS can make your first waxie cost you $15. After the shipping, if you split that with a friend or club- you can pack 20,000 spikes in that same $15 shipping and the cost per grub will drop down under a penny. Early Spring and Fall are easy shipping months- leave a note for UPS to deliver it to the shade of a back porch or leave a big cooler out with a note-  
Of course in winter- that's a different deal. You could heat up a gallon jug and leave it in that giant cooler if you have one...

I order according to the 5-day forecast and avoid extreme temperatures!!!!