Frequently Asked Questions
Newly hatched silkworms must be maintained at warm temperatures (at least 78 degrees) or they will not grow and will usually die. Once the silkworms reach about 3/4 inch long (after about 10 to 12 days from the time they hatched) they are past the critical stage and can be rasied at lower temperatures - but it is best to keep them warm thru all stages if you want them to grow quickly and remain healthy.
How long after I receive my order of silkworm eggs will they hatch?
The silkworm eggs will hatch within a week after they arrive if kept between 78 and 88 degrees (longer at cooler temperatures).
What do I need to do to hatch the eggs?
Try to keep them between 78 and 88 degrees. They will hatch at a lower temperature but it will take longer (and the newly hatched worms will not grow and be healthy unless they are maintained at warm temperatures).
Will the eggs definitley hatch?
Yes, if you follow our instructions. The hatch rate is usually about 95% (or higher), but do not be alarmed if you end up with significantly fewer worms than eggs because some of the worms get covered up by a thin invisible layer of silk that silkworms are constantly placing down. Also it is normal for some to die at the earliest stage after hatching (especially if they are overcrowded). If you want to maximize the number of worms you get from a given number of eggs - you should order eggs in bulk and place no more than 500 eggs into each petri dish (200 eggs per petri dish is ideal for maximum number of worms).
If you place about 200 eggs per petri dish - you will end up with a much higher percentage of worms to eggs (up to 90% or more), but you must maintain warm temperatures. The fewer eggs per petri dish the higher percentage of worms to eggs you will end up with. The eggs will come glued down in a large petri dish in lots of 250 or 1000 eggs. Silkworms eggs purchased in bulk (over 1000) will not be glued down.
What do silkworms eat?
Silkworms only eat mulberry leaves and/or artificial silkworm diet (Mulberry Chow). If you are going to feed the newly hatched silkworms mulberry leaves instead of our Mulberry Chow be sure and only feed them the new growth (tiny 1/2 to 1 inch leaves) or they will not be able to eat them because their jaws are too weak. Place only one tiny new leaf in the petri dish until it is completely eaten. Then repeat at least once a day until they are large enough to eat the larger leaves. Once they taste mulberry leaves it is difficult to get them to eat Silkworm Chow.
What is the ideal setup and what do I need in order to raise silkworms?
The most critical period in their life is during their first week after they hatch. The most common cause of failure is due to improper temperature. We recommend using an incubator especially during their first week or two. Incubators are available and we recommend using one. After about 2 weeks in an incubator - when they have outgrown the petri dish, you can then remove the worms from the peril dish and all you need is a large plastic, cardboard or glass container and a heat source to keep them warm. Then continue feeding either mulberry leaves or Silkworm Chow until they reach the desired size.
Do silkworms need any substrate?
No. The remaining leftover food (after each feeding) dries and forms a substrate that the worms cling to and they will even lay down a thin layer of silk over the surface to help anchor them.
How fast do silkworms grow?
If you maintain them at about 85 degrees (and feed them all they can eat) you can raise them up to about 1 inch in 12 to 14 days. You can grow them up to 2 inches in 3 weeks and over 3 inches in just 4 weeks. They receive all their water and nutrients from the chow.
What is the ideal temp?
78 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit
How long can the chow be stored?
The powdered chow can be stored for at least 6 months in the refrigerator and the prepared chow that you make from the powdered Chow is good fore about 1 month in the refrigerator if kept airtight.
Can I switch silkworms from chow to mulberry leaves?
Yes, they will switch eagerly to mulberry leaves. It is more difficult to switch them from mulberry leaves back to chow, but it can be done if you remove the worms from all traces of mulberry and then offer them the Silkworm Chow. They will usually start eating the Chow within 48 hours, but only if there are no mulberry leaves, stems or branches present.
Will silkworms spin cocoons?
They are easier to raise to the cocoon stage using mulberry leaves, but many people are successful raising them to the cocoon stage on Silkworm Chow alone (as long as you keep them warm and keep the food and your hands CLEAN!!!). Cocooning can begin in as little as 28 days (from the time hatched) if they are raised at approx. 85 degree, fed regularly and maintained in a clean environment (WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY).
If theres unanswered questions here, please dont hesitate to contact us directly.
How long after I receive my order of silkworm eggs will they hatch?
The silkworm eggs will hatch within a week after they arrive if kept between 78 and 88 degrees (longer at cooler temperatures).
What do I need to do to hatch the eggs?
Try to keep them between 78 and 88 degrees. They will hatch at a lower temperature but it will take longer (and the newly hatched worms will not grow and be healthy unless they are maintained at warm temperatures).
Will the eggs definitley hatch?
Yes, if you follow our instructions. The hatch rate is usually about 95% (or higher), but do not be alarmed if you end up with significantly fewer worms than eggs because some of the worms get covered up by a thin invisible layer of silk that silkworms are constantly placing down. Also it is normal for some to die at the earliest stage after hatching (especially if they are overcrowded). If you want to maximize the number of worms you get from a given number of eggs - you should order eggs in bulk and place no more than 500 eggs into each petri dish (200 eggs per petri dish is ideal for maximum number of worms).
If you place about 200 eggs per petri dish - you will end up with a much higher percentage of worms to eggs (up to 90% or more), but you must maintain warm temperatures. The fewer eggs per petri dish the higher percentage of worms to eggs you will end up with. The eggs will come glued down in a large petri dish in lots of 250 or 1000 eggs. Silkworms eggs purchased in bulk (over 1000) will not be glued down.
What do silkworms eat?
Silkworms only eat mulberry leaves and/or artificial silkworm diet (Mulberry Chow). If you are going to feed the newly hatched silkworms mulberry leaves instead of our Mulberry Chow be sure and only feed them the new growth (tiny 1/2 to 1 inch leaves) or they will not be able to eat them because their jaws are too weak. Place only one tiny new leaf in the petri dish until it is completely eaten. Then repeat at least once a day until they are large enough to eat the larger leaves. Once they taste mulberry leaves it is difficult to get them to eat Silkworm Chow.
What is the ideal setup and what do I need in order to raise silkworms?
The most critical period in their life is during their first week after they hatch. The most common cause of failure is due to improper temperature. We recommend using an incubator especially during their first week or two. Incubators are available and we recommend using one. After about 2 weeks in an incubator - when they have outgrown the petri dish, you can then remove the worms from the peril dish and all you need is a large plastic, cardboard or glass container and a heat source to keep them warm. Then continue feeding either mulberry leaves or Silkworm Chow until they reach the desired size.
Do silkworms need any substrate?
No. The remaining leftover food (after each feeding) dries and forms a substrate that the worms cling to and they will even lay down a thin layer of silk over the surface to help anchor them.
How fast do silkworms grow?
If you maintain them at about 85 degrees (and feed them all they can eat) you can raise them up to about 1 inch in 12 to 14 days. You can grow them up to 2 inches in 3 weeks and over 3 inches in just 4 weeks. They receive all their water and nutrients from the chow.
What is the ideal temp?
78 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit
How long can the chow be stored?
The powdered chow can be stored for at least 6 months in the refrigerator and the prepared chow that you make from the powdered Chow is good fore about 1 month in the refrigerator if kept airtight.
Can I switch silkworms from chow to mulberry leaves?
Yes, they will switch eagerly to mulberry leaves. It is more difficult to switch them from mulberry leaves back to chow, but it can be done if you remove the worms from all traces of mulberry and then offer them the Silkworm Chow. They will usually start eating the Chow within 48 hours, but only if there are no mulberry leaves, stems or branches present.
Will silkworms spin cocoons?
They are easier to raise to the cocoon stage using mulberry leaves, but many people are successful raising them to the cocoon stage on Silkworm Chow alone (as long as you keep them warm and keep the food and your hands CLEAN!!!). Cocooning can begin in as little as 28 days (from the time hatched) if they are raised at approx. 85 degree, fed regularly and maintained in a clean environment (WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY).
If theres unanswered questions here, please dont hesitate to contact us directly.
