Phoenix Worms! Spawn of the Soldier Fly! What, Why and How?

[Goldenarcher1328]

Alrighty, my chams love the phoenix worms, AKA calci-worms and Repti-worms. They are addicted. They are also damned expensive to buy, plus the only place that sells them is a 30 min drive away.. With the way gas prices are today, i am looking at my cheapest option. Breeding them.

Does anyone know the specifics of breeding the worms, i have heard that they have a relatively short life cycle. What can i do to breed them ?

Any ideas. I would like more then enough to feed my two Veils, One of which is a growing young lady Cham. haha



Would something like a reptibreeze work for breeding the little devils? haha

Thanks for all the help guys and gals!

 

[absolutbill]

You can set yourself up with a Biopod in your backyard. They run around the $200 range, but that's about all your cost in raising these guys. The design is tough to explain, but essentially it's a tub that you fill with your dinner scraps (be sure not to throw protein in there otherwise turkey vultures will attack your biopod, which I learned the hard way).

Inside the tub are 2 "sliding boards" that lead up to a hole which drops into a collection cup. Just throw your scraps (or some cabbages and carrots for a cheap easy start) in the tub, and the soldier flies in the area will fly in, eat the scraps, lay their eggs, and they will hatch into maggots (Phoenix worms). They also eat the scraps and then when they are large, they crawl up the "sliding boards" and drop into the cup. Once it's cycling (around 4-6 weeks), you shouldn't have a problem keeping up with your demand. However, I see you are up north - if it freezes you'll have to start over - not a problem I have down here Let me know if you need more information, but if you google Biopod you'll find some youtube videos to help you out. Also, the phoenix worms are great for chickens (that's what it was developed for), so if you know someone in your area with a few chickens they might go into the biopod with you, cutting your costs.

Michelle

 

[TyggyToo]

I am resigned to buying 4 cups of Phoenix worms, stashing them in the basement for coolage. Spouse has utterly refused to allow for any more insects in the house after the Great Cricket Escape, and the equally devastating Dubia Run for the Roses.

I used the wonderful sponsor links above to find my supplier, and got a selection of silkworms or waxworms or superworms to supplement. Can't WAIT until spring and summer when I can get a butterfly net and sweep a friend's field for treats!

Submitted for your consideration,
Tyg

 

[pssh]

Buy in bulk online. I believe 1000 is like $30-$40