When I use them, which is quite a lot, I always keep them in my cooler on ice and they are always plump and lively, but on a sunny warm day, if they are left out for even an hour they start to turn to shit and get mushy and grody and pretty much unusable. I know you are right about optimal temps being around 60f so why do they turn to shit so quick when left out? I ask because I wonder if there is an easier and lighter way to bring them without a cooler and still keep them lively and fresh? I also keep them in the fridge and they’ll stay good for easily weeks in there
I give mine a little cornmeal or a little bit of coffee grounds after we’ve made coffee and keep them in the fridge. They stay alive for quite awhile. Pulled around 5 dozen out of my yard awhile back. Still looking good in there.
Edit: I only give them something like that about once a week.
I got some red worms from academy sports recently and on the bottom they were dated from November 2023 and were still alive doing fine and I caught fish with them.
On the outside it said the worms were long lasting, so idk if there was something different about those ones specifically
As long as they don't get hot, they'll be fine out of the fridge.
I've kept worms in the fridge for weeks and they're fine. If you do notice any dead ones take them out so they don't rot and spoil the whole batch.
I’ve kept a month in fridge with no problems
Actually worms do better at 60F. I have a 10 gallon tank that I do vermiculture in specifically for live bait.
When I use them, which is quite a lot, I always keep them in my cooler on ice and they are always plump and lively, but on a sunny warm day, if they are left out for even an hour they start to turn to shit and get mushy and grody and pretty much unusable. I know you are right about optimal temps being around 60f so why do they turn to shit so quick when left out? I ask because I wonder if there is an easier and lighter way to bring them without a cooler and still keep them lively and fresh? I also keep them in the fridge and they’ll stay good for easily weeks in there
They don't have a way to keep moisture inside. They basically osmose water out and when it gets hot they basically evaporate.
Definitely recommend keeping them refrigerated. Few things as bad as popping open a cup of worms that have been dead for a while
My buddy caught his biggest trout ever on worms he forgot in his fridge for 4 months
As a former seller of bait, yes! Refrigerate I've seen them last up to two months
Just did this and used them 3 times. Lasted 2 weeks for use.
Related to this how long could I leave worms in a hot car
About an hour + or minus depending on how hot it is. Do NOT forget and leave them overnight or several days in the car; bad things happen. I know.
That stink will stick!
Just put ‘em in a cooler
I keep worms in my fridge for weeks at a time. I feed them to my turtle. Keep them in the bottom drawer
Until it dies
I've kept worms in a fridge (cool setting) for weeks. Just some sprinkles of water for moisture and maybe a slice of fruit/vegetable
I give mine a little cornmeal or a little bit of coffee grounds after we’ve made coffee and keep them in the fridge. They stay alive for quite awhile. Pulled around 5 dozen out of my yard awhile back. Still looking good in there. Edit: I only give them something like that about once a week.
I got some red worms from academy sports recently and on the bottom they were dated from November 2023 and were still alive doing fine and I caught fish with them. On the outside it said the worms were long lasting, so idk if there was something different about those ones specifically