Keeping crawlers
02-20-2003 | 07:58 AM
#1
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 92
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From: New Waterford Ohio USA
Keeping crawlers
Anyone have any experience keeping nightcrawlers for summer fishing? After many failed attempts, I finally got one of those little refrigerators and not have fresh crawlers all summer. I keep them in a bait canteen filled with moss and make sure they do not dry out. I also feed them a little prepared worm food on occassion.
Now if I could just find a way to keep the little wrigglers for panfish. I would like to make something outside to hold them.
Now if I could just find a way to keep the little wrigglers for panfish. I would like to make something outside to hold them.
02-20-2003 | 08:51 AM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 22
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From: Parker Colorado USA
RE: Keeping crawlers
I use a small refrig. in the garage. I keep the temp around mid 40s.
One thing I have noticed is not to over feed them. If you do you must keep changing your bedding.I like to use a paper bedding that already has the feed in it.
I keep around 500 to 200 crawlers with no problems if i change the bedding every three weeks or so. One Big Plus to paper bedding is that it keeps your boat and hands nice and clean
One thing I have noticed is not to over feed them. If you do you must keep changing your bedding.I like to use a paper bedding that already has the feed in it.
I keep around 500 to 200 crawlers with no problems if i change the bedding every three weeks or so. One Big Plus to paper bedding is that it keeps your boat and hands nice and clean
02-20-2003 | 12:32 PM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,639
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From: Adirondack Moutains USA Member since sept/02
RE: Keeping crawlers
The biggest thing you can do is make sure they stay in a cool place, and keep the soil damp. I' ve kept them in many different containers, and kept them for a whole summer with no problems. If your just going out for a day or two you can through them in a small cooler with water and ice. You' ld be surprised at how long they can live like this.
02-20-2003 | 04:38 PM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,417
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From: chiefland Florida USA
RE: Keeping crawlers
it is very hot here in Fla. and I keep wigglers and night crawlers out side all the time.
I took 1" x8" x16' pressure treated boards and made a boarder around two persimmon trees,filled this with topsoil and leaves 1/2 and 1/2.wet it real good and fill again till full.put your worms in and cover with a couple inches of leaves or hay to hold the moisture.
I have a sprinkler that I put on at least 20 min a day if it doesn' t rain.once a week I rake the hay back and put about 3lbs or so of chicken feed(laying mash crumbles)then cover and water.the laying mash does not draw ants.
after the first year you will raise more worms than you can use. you want to watch for ants,you may have to sprinkle a little powder seven dust around the out side of the boards.be careful.
never put food products in your worm bed.(that draws ants)
as long as you keep it damp and plenty of feed you will keep worms.
give it a try.
I took 1" x8" x16' pressure treated boards and made a boarder around two persimmon trees,filled this with topsoil and leaves 1/2 and 1/2.wet it real good and fill again till full.put your worms in and cover with a couple inches of leaves or hay to hold the moisture.
I have a sprinkler that I put on at least 20 min a day if it doesn' t rain.once a week I rake the hay back and put about 3lbs or so of chicken feed(laying mash crumbles)then cover and water.the laying mash does not draw ants.
after the first year you will raise more worms than you can use. you want to watch for ants,you may have to sprinkle a little powder seven dust around the out side of the boards.be careful.
never put food products in your worm bed.(that draws ants)
as long as you keep it damp and plenty of feed you will keep worms.
give it a try.
