Hornworms too large

[cantgetagoodsn]

The remainder of my hornworms have become way too large for my little guy. I honestly don't want to turn them into moths, but clearly don't want to simply throw them away. I thought about taking them to a park and letting them go there, but I don't know of the ecological impact this could have. I live in San Francisco.

Would I it be harmless to let them go in a park?

I did also spend a decent amount of time searching this forum for answers, but didn't come across anything clear.

Thanks!

 

[JoXie411]

The remainder of my hornworms have become way too large for my little guy. I honestly don't want to turn them into moths, but clearly don't want to simply throw them away. I thought about taking them to a park and letting them go there, but I don't know of the ecological impact this could have. I live in San Francisco.

Would I it be harmless to let them go in a park?

I did also spend a decent amount of time searching this forum for answers, but didn't come across anything clear.

Thanks!

Ummmmmmmm can I have them lol

 

[PabloTheCham]

I live in the bay, I could probably take them off your hands

 

[Beman]

Just give them to someone.... In the future when you buy pods... You can either do 24 hours in the fridge on the door and then 24 hours out. Or you can do the same idea with sitting them on ice packs 24 hours on and 24 hours off. This slows the growth quite a bit.

 

[cantgetagoodsn]

Ummmmmmmm can I have them lol

I live in the bay, I could probably take them off your hands

First come, first serve. Send me a DM and we can go from there.

 

[cantgetagoodsn]

Just give them to someone.... In the future when you buy pods... You can either do 24 hours in the fridge on the door and then 24 hours out. Or you can do the same idea with sitting them on ice packs 24 hours on and 24 hours off. This slows the growth quite a bit.

Great to know for the future. Thanks, as always!

 

[jannb]

Do you know anyone with chickens? My neighbor keeps chickens and they love the feeders that get to big for my chameleons.

 

[PabloTheCham]

First come, first serve. Send me a DM and we can go from there.

@JoXie411 you were first, if you still want them they're yours ?

 

[cantgetagoodsn]

I’m still curious if there would be any harm ecologically if I let them go in a larger park. Does anyone know?

 

[PabloTheCham]

I’m still curious if there would be any harm ecologically if I let them go in a larger park. Does anyone know?

I don't think so, but that would be a waste of $10, maybe post an ad on nextdoor? SF is pretty dense, I'm sure there are other reptiles keepers near you that would be glad to take them off your hands.

Why don't you want to let them pupate though?

 

[bombadillo2]

Great to know for the future. Thanks, as always!

Can confirm!

 

[bombadillo2]

I’m still curious if there would be any harm ecologically if I let them go in a larger park. Does anyone know?

I had this problem once, they actually got RIDICULOUSLY large because something was set in front of them and I forgot they were there. I let them go and the birds seemed to snatch them up right away.

I have that same question though; maybe I shouldn't have done that. The alternative is killing them I suppose. Aren't hornworms common on tomato plants, though? I thought they were an existing species (considered a pest, but not uncommon). Good idea to check by state though.

 

[JoXie411]

I live in the bay, I could probably take them off your hands

Haha looks like we had the same thought

 

[PabloTheCham]

Haha looks like we had the same thought

He is 50min away from me, and I am not willing to drive 50 min there and back for some hornworms so they are yours if you want them

 

[JoXie411]

He is 50min away from me, and I am not willing to drive 50 min there and back for some hornworms so they are yours if you want them

Oh I’m willing I just need to wait for a day for from the husband. My car has been broken down for 3 months now

 

[PabloTheCham]

Oh I’m willing I just need to wait for a day for from the husband. My car has been broken down for 3 months now

If you are willing to drive an hour and 40 min for 20 bucks worth of food, maybe uber is the job for you

 

[Pearl Fields]

If you are willing to drive an hour and 40 min for 20 bucks worth of food, maybe uber is the job for you

uber is sketch

 

[JoXie411]

If you are willing to drive an hour and 40 min for 20 bucks worth of food, maybe uber is the job for you

Ehhh I did Lyft, didn’t feel safe all the time

 

[PabloTheCham]

uber is sketch

then drive zum instead ?

 

[Pearl Fields]

Ehhh I did Lyft, didn’t feel safe all the time

Exactly