How to keep Silkworms

Silkworms or Bombyx mori

Ever wondered where silk comes from? Or how to get some that does not cost an arm and a leg? Then you will love to know about the Silkworm or Bombyx mori of China.

Things You'll Need

• Mulberry
• Bombyx mori Eggs
• Containers
• Spray bottle
• Trays

Instructions

1. Acquire some eggs of the Bombyx mori species. These moths can no longer survive in the wild so you will have to order some eggs, good sources are http://www.silkwormshop.com/shop_silkwormeggs.html or just to type it into your favorite internet search engine. If you prefer you can start with live larva which can be purchased online as well or at a reptile store. Reptile stores keep a variety of insects to feed reptiles too and silkworms are one of them.

2. All right so you have acquired eggs or larva. If you have acquired larva proceed to step three. If you would like to keep the eggs in egg form put them into the refrigerator to stay cool. When desired set the eggs out to hatch which should be about 2-7 days.

3. Whenever you have larva put them into a container, with a lid ( air holes please). Now take your mulberry plant and feed the little silkworms about once a day. If you have a mulberry plant there is artificial food available.

4. Really the silkworms will grow unimpeded. When they out grow their small container move them to separate containers, ice cream buckets do fine. What you want to watch out for though is condensation. If the silkworms look dry feel free to sprits them lightly with the spray bottle. But if you see condensation on the lid tops you will need to remove the lid and let the silkworms dry. If you do not do this the silkworms will get bacterial infections or fungal infections which are very bad. To cut down on this also wash your hands whenever you feed or handle the silkworms as well.

5. Now depending on your purpose for keeping silkworms you will need to vary this next step. If you are too feed them to a reptile or pet, grow them to the desired size. Then feed them to your pet. For actual silk you will need to grow them till they reach the pupa stage. As soon as they spin a cocoon they are ready.

6. Silkworm pupa must be killed to harvest the silk. Many ways exist to do this but the most economical is either by roasting or boiling. I suggest boiling since it will keep down on the damage done to the silk. Just bring your water to a boil and plop the cocoons down in it. Then wait a couple of minutes.

7. Now you can either sell the cocoons or actually spin the silk. This can be sold to many users of silk or on the internet itself.

Tips & Warnings

• Look online for all your available equipment and eggs an larva.

• Remember mold and bacteria are really bad. Wash hands before handling and let everything be dry at all times.