bedding for long term crawler storage
#6502780
03/27/19 05:19 PM
03/27/19 05:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,333 Hancock Co., Indiana
Kart29
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,333
Hancock Co., Indiana
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Rather than buying bait worms this year, I want to collect and keep my own night crawlers. I can't go fishing that often so five dozen crawlers ought to cover me for the year, no problem.
I've got a few small Styrofoam boxes from prior crawler purchases and an old Styrofoam minnow bucket I can use. I also have a refrigerator in the garage I can keep them in.
Is there an alternative to commercial, purchased worm bedding? I have a compost heap of old table scraps and lawn waste from past years. If I use that instead of commercial bedding I wouldn't guess I'd need any worm food.
I might have a little peat moss left I could mix with the compost.
Any suggestions for bedding and keeping worms alive in a refrigerator over the summer?
What from Christ that soul can sever, Bound by everlasting bands? None shall take thee From the Strength of Israel's hands.
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6502789
03/27/19 05:35 PM
03/27/19 05:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,843 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,843
St. Cloud, MN
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When I was younger, I sold nightcrawlers an was able to keep them for a long time. Through the winter, on occasion. I used newspaper torn into 1/4 strips, then soak in water for a few minutes, then wring out most of the water by squeezing with your hands. After that, fluff it up a bit and it's ready to go. Keep them refrigerated and check frequently. Remove any "sick looking" works imediately. If you find any dead ones, remove all of the live ones and place in a clean container with new bedding. Keep in fridge @ around 40 degrees. Never use newspaper with colored ink, it will kill your works. Use styrofoam containers and try not to overpopulate the container if long-term storage is the goal.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6502791
03/27/19 05:36 PM
03/27/19 05:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,843 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,843
St. Cloud, MN
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BTW, it works best to soak newspaper in rain water. City water will kill them too.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6502799
03/27/19 05:46 PM
03/27/19 05:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,881 Northeast Wisconsin
NE Wildlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,881
Northeast Wisconsin
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We have always just took 1/2 black dirt 1/2 swamp Moss and layed a wet newspaper over the top of them In a styrofoam cooler. Would keep them from spring picking until Late October perch fishing.
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6502836
03/27/19 06:50 PM
03/27/19 06:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,474 Northern Ohio ...
Sullivan K
"Keith"
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"Keith"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,474
Northern Ohio ...
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I have tried keeping worms and have found that all my home-made stuff became to compacted. What works best, for me, is the store-bought worm bedding. For 10 bucks you can keep a lot of worms for a long time. I found it easier, and much better, to buy the stuff rather than try to make my own.
My name ain't Keith
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6502848
03/27/19 06:59 PM
03/27/19 06:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,474 Northern Ohio ...
Sullivan K
"Keith"
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"Keith"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,474
Northern Ohio ...
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Also, I have found, it is better to store small quantities of worms. For example, rather than try to keep 1000 worms, keep 10 containers of 100, or reduce it even more and only keep 100 containers of 10. The fewer the worms the better they keep, in my opinion.
My name ain't Keith
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Sullivan K]
#6502896
03/27/19 07:49 PM
03/27/19 07:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,376 Iowa
~ADC~
The Count
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The Count
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,376
Iowa
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I have tried keeping worms and have found that all my home-made stuff became to compacted. What works best, for me, is the store-bought worm bedding. For 10 bucks you can keep a lot of worms for a long time. I found it easier, and much better, to buy the stuff rather than try to make my own. Yep, me too. Too hard on the back to risk a bunch of dead nightcrawlers. You can buy a bag of Buss Bed-ding for about $5-6 and it keeps them in great shape! Only mix up what you need. For 5 dozen/year that bag will last three years easy.
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6503027
03/27/19 09:36 PM
03/27/19 09:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,843 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,843
St. Cloud, MN
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Please, forget I responded, I obviously haven't a clue on the subject.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6503767
03/28/19 05:57 PM
03/28/19 05:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,042 St. Louis Co, Mo
BigBob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,042
St. Louis Co, Mo
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I buy a block of Peat Moss Cheap and feed rolled oats, as needed, which ain't often.
Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.
Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.
Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6573580
07/14/19 09:03 AM
07/14/19 09:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,403 Iowa
PaulB
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,403
Iowa
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Buss bedding,,store in old refrigerator set at 45 degrees,,,rig the interior light so it stays on 24-7,,,put lid on box.
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6573607
07/14/19 10:04 AM
07/14/19 10:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,354 East-Central Wisconsin
bblwi
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,354
East-Central Wisconsin
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my trapping partner has got me into drift fishing for walleyes on a large lake. He has stored crawlers for years. He stores his crawlers in cottage cheese containers and does 2 dozen per container max. He uses the commercial mix but has found that when he puts in new material about very 4-6 weeks the worms last much longer, are more full and lively. He will collect 10-20 dozen in the spring and that will take him through the season.
Bryce
Last edited by bblwi; 07/14/19 04:19 PM.
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Re: bedding for long term crawler storage
[Re: Kart29]
#6573732
07/14/19 02:34 PM
07/14/19 02:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,042 St. Louis Co, Mo
BigBob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,042
St. Louis Co, Mo
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Peat Moss. Now's the time to find it marked down and cheap. Wet it first, but it takes several days to soak up enough.
Last edited by BigBob; 07/14/19 02:51 PM.
Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.
Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.
Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
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