6 replies to this topic

[Queen]

Multiple questions, please.

 

Do you guys freeze all your insects before feeding them to your colony? Assuming you didn't catch it outside, but rather purchased it from stores such as PetsMart, Petco, online stores, etc...

 

Is freezing them just for the purpose of removing mites? or does it kill off fungus and virus too?

 

Do you store all insects in the fridge or freezer, or do you freeze just prior to feeding?

[TechAnt]

You can freeze them, I do that with my fruit flies, but feeding them live is fine too, or boiling them. Freezing allows you to store them longer and it can kill any parasites and such.

 

Once you have frozen a insect or insects, you must either feed it or keep it frozen until you feed it. 

[Manitobant]

I've found frozen insects immediately start rotting when defrosted, so i stick to cutting them up.

[ANTdrew]

I freeze everything I feed to kill it in a humane way and to prevent parasites. Freezing may not be enough to kill some mites, though, so I dip feeder insects in boiling water for three seconds. It mat be overkill, but mites are not fun AT ALL.
Store bought feeder insects can be worse than wild caught things when it comes to bringing in grain mites.

[OhNoNotAgain]

I've started to first freeze then boil feeders, except fruit flies. Though mealworms I sometimes boil immediately (sorry mealworms).

Fruit flies I look veerrrrryyyyyy carefully in their culture medium and look for mites. If I see mites it's time to salvage a few and start a new culture.

I hate mites. Did I mention I hate mites?

Hate mites.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, October 21 2020 - 2:31 PM.

[ConcordAntman]

What ANTDrew said!

[smares]

Grain mites are the worst!