Many people want to keep live bloodworms. They use them for fishing bait. They also use them to feed fish in tanks. A common question is, “How long do bloodworms last in the fridge?” Kept the right way, live bloodworms can often last for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. Some people can keep them alive even longer, maybe up to two weeks. It depends a lot on how you store them. Proper live bloodworm storage is key to a longer bloodworm shelf life. This guide tells you the best ways to keep your bloodworms fresh and alive in the cold.
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What Are Bloodworms?
Let’s talk about bloodworms first. They are not really worms. They are larvae. Larvae are like baby bugs. These are the babies of midge flies. Midge flies look a bit like mosquitoes. But they do not bite people.
Bloodworms live in the mud. They live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. They are red because they have a special kind of blood. This blood helps them get air in places where there is not much air. This makes them very good at living in mud.
People like them for fishing bait. Fish love to eat them. They are also good food for fish in home aquariums. Keeping them alive means they are fresh and active. Fresh bait works better. Live food is healthier for pet fish.
Why Keep Bloodworms Alive?
Keeping bloodworms alive is important. Dead worms are not good bait. Fish do not like dead bait as much. Live worms wiggle. This catches the fish’s eye. It makes them want to bite.
For pet fish, live food is great. It is like getting fresh food instead of dry food. Live bloodworms have good stuff in them. They help fish stay healthy. They also make fish more active. Watching fish eat live worms is fun.
So, you need to know how to keep them living. This means you need to know how to store them. The fridge is usually the best place.
How Cold Is Best for Bloodworms?
The temperature matters a lot. Bloodworms like it cool. A cold place slows them down. This helps them live longer. It uses less of their energy.
Think about hibernation for some animals. They slow down in winter. This is similar for bloodworms in the cold. They become less active.
The best temperature is cold. But not too cold. It should be like the temperature inside your fridge. This is usually between 35°F and 45°F (about 2°C to 7°C). This range is perfect for refrigerated bloodworm storage temperature.
If it is too warm, they use energy fast. They die sooner. If it is too cold, they can freeze. Freezing kills them. So, keep them in this cool, but not freezing, spot. The door of the fridge is sometimes warmer than the back. The main shelves are often better.
Where to Store Bloodworms in the Fridge
Picking the right spot is important. You want a place with steady cold. The back of the main shelf is often good. The door can get warm when you open it. This changes the temperature. Bloodworms do not like big temperature changes.
Keep them away from things that freeze easily. Do not put them in the freezer section. That will kill them fast. Find a spot that stays cool and steady.
Choosing the Right Container
How you put them in the fridge matters. Do not just put the bag you bought them in straight into the fridge. That bag might not be good. It might not let air in. Or it might hold too much water.
You need a container. The container should let air in. Bloodworms need to breathe. A container with a lid that has small holes works well. You can buy special bait containers. Or you can make one. A plastic food container can work. Just poke tiny holes in the lid. Make sure the holes are small. You do not want the worms to get out!
Some people use a simple flat container. A shallow tray or a small plastic box is fine. The key is breathability. The worms need fresh air. They also need air to let out bad gasses.
Another good way is to use damp paper.
Using Damp Paper Towels
This is a popular method. It works very well for live bloodworm storage. Here is how you do it:
1. Get some paper towels. Use ones that are not too thin.
2. Wet the paper towels. Do not make them soaking wet. They should be damp. Like a sponge you squeezed out.
3. Lay out a few layers of damp paper towels.
4. Put the bloodworms on the damp paper. Spread them out a bit. Do not put a big pile.
5. Cover the bloodworms with more damp paper towels.
6. Put this whole paper towel bundle into a container. Use a container with a lid that breathes. A bait container with holes is good. A plastic box with holes in the lid is good.
7. Put the container in the fridge.
Why does this work?
* The damp paper gives them moisture. Bloodworms need moisture. They dry out fast if it is too dry.
* The paper towels are thin. This helps air get to the worms.
* Spreading them out helps. It stops them from getting too hot together. It gives them space and air.
* The paper helps keep the temperature steady.
This damp paper method is often the best way to store bloodworms for a longer time. It helps in extending bloodworm freshness.
How Much Moisture?
Getting the moisture right is key. Too much water is bad. Bloodworms can drown. Too little water is bad. They will dry up and die.
The paper towels should feel damp. They should not drip water. If you squeeze the paper, only a little water should come out. If there is standing water in the container, that is too much.
Check the paper towels every day. If they look dry, wet them again. Just lift the paper, sprinkle some water, and put it back. Or take out the worms, wet new paper, and put the worms back. Keeping the paper damp is a big part of live bloodworm care.
Why Air Matters
Bloodworms live in mud. But they still need air. They take air from the water around them. Or they breathe air trapped in the mud. In a container, they need air from outside.
A tight lid is bad. It keeps fresh air out. It keeps bad gasses in. Bad gasses build up over time. This is not good for the worms.
The container needs holes. Small holes let air in and out. They also stop the worms from crawling away. Make sure there are enough holes. Air flow is important.
Daily Check-Ups
To keep bloodworms alive, you need to check on them. Do this every day. It only takes a few minutes.
What should you check?
* Look at the paper towels. Are they still damp? If not, make them damp.
* Look at the worms. How do they look? Are they moving?
* Are there any dead worms? This is very important.
Checking daily helps with keeping bloodworms fresh.
Signs of Dead Bloodworms
How can you tell if a bloodworm is dead? Live bloodworms are usually active. They wiggle and squirm. They curl up when you touch them. They are firm to the touch. They are bright red.
Dead bloodworms look different.
* They stop moving. They just lie straight.
* They might look pale or grey. They lose their bright red color.
* They feel soft and mushy.
* They might start to smell bad.
Removing dead worms is very important. Dead worms can make the live ones sick. They can spoil the whole batch. When you check daily, pick out any worms that are not moving or look bad. Throw them away. This helps keep the other worms healthy. It is a key step in how to keep live bloodworms alive.
Cleaning the Container
Sometimes, the paper towels get dirty. They can have worm waste in them. Or bits of dead worms. It is a good idea to change the paper every few days.
Get new damp paper towels. Take the live worms out of the old paper. Put them on the new paper. Clean the container if it looks dirty. This keeps the environment clean for the worms. A clean home helps them live longer.
Storing Bloodworms for Fishing Trips
If you are storing storing bloodworms for fishing, you have special needs. You need them alive for the trip. And you need them to stay alive while you fish.
For the trip to the fishing spot:
* Keep them cool. Use a small cooler with an ice pack. Do not let the ice pack touch the worms directly. Wrap the ice pack in a towel.
* Keep them in a breathable container with damp paper. The cold slows them down for travel.
* Do not drown them! Do not put them in a tub of water. They will use up the air in the water fast.
While fishing:
* Keep the bait container in the shade. Or in a cooler.
* Do not leave them in the hot sun. They will die very quickly.
* Take out only what you need for a little while. Keep the rest cool.
Proper storage for fishing means keeping them cool and damp, but not wet, even when you are out fishing. This improves bloodworm shelf life during your trip.
Comparing Storage Methods
Let’s look at different ways to store bloodworms.
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons | Typical Shelf Life (in fridge) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Bag | Leaving them in the bag you bought them in. | Easy, no setup needed. | Poor air flow, holds too much water, worms die fast. | 1-2 days |
| Tub of Water | Putting worms in a container of water. | Seems simple. | Worms use up oxygen, water gets dirty, they can drown, short life. | 1-3 days |
| Damp Paper in Breathable Container | Spreading worms on damp paper in a box with holes. | Best air flow, good moisture control, easy checks. | Requires daily care (checking dampness, removing dead worms). | 5-7 days, sometimes longer |
| Special Bait Container | Using a container made for bait with screens/vents. | Designed for worms, good air flow and drainage. | Can be more costly than homemade options. | 5-7 days, sometimes longer |
As you can see, the damp paper method in a breathable container is usually the best way to store bloodworms for a decent bloodworm shelf life in the fridge.
Detailed Steps for Best Live Bloodworm Care
Let’s put it all together. Here is a step-by-step guide for live bloodworm care. This helps in extending bloodworm freshness.
Step 1: Buy Good Worms
Start with healthy worms. Look at them when you buy them. They should be lively. They should be bright red. Do not buy worms that look pale or still. Good worms last longer.
Step 2: Get a Container Ready
Find a shallow plastic container. It needs a lid. Poke many small holes in the lid. Use a nail or a drill bit. Make sure the holes are small enough so worms cannot get out. This is for air flow.
Step 3: Prepare Damp Paper
Get several sheets of paper towel. Wet them with cool, clean water. Squeeze out most of the water. The paper should be damp, not wet.
Step 4: Arrange the Worms
Open the bag of worms. Put the damp paper into your container. Spread the worms out on the damp paper. Do not put a big pile. Give them space. Cover the worms with more damp paper.
Step 5: Put in the Fridge
Put the lid on the container. Make sure the holes are not blocked. Place the container in the main part of your fridge. Find a spot where the temperature stays steady. Avoid the door. The temperature should be between 35°F and 45°F (2°C to 7°C). This is the right refrigerated bloodworm storage temperature.
Step 6: Check Daily
Every single day, check your worms.
* Open the container.
* Look at the paper. Is it still damp? If not, make it damp. You can gently sprinkle water on the paper. Or you can change the paper completely.
* Look at the worms. Are they moving? Do they look healthy and red?
* Look for worms that are not moving. Look for worms that look pale or soft. These are likely dead.
Step 7: Remove Dead Worms
Use small tweezers or your fingers to pick out any dead worms. Take them out of the container. Throw them away far from the live ones. This stops the dead worms from harming the live ones. This is a critical part of how to keep live bloodworms alive.
Step 8: Change Paper (Sometimes)
Every few days, or if the paper looks dirty, change all the paper. Prepare new damp paper. Move the live worms to the new damp paper. Clean the container if needed. This helps keep things clean and healthy for the worms.
Following these steps helps extend the bloodworm shelf life. It makes storing bloodworms for fishing or feeding pets much better. It is the essence of good live bloodworm care.
What If They Start Dying Faster?
Sometimes, even with good care, worms might start dying quickly. Why could this happen?
* Bad batch: Maybe the worms were not healthy when you bought them. This is why step 1 is important.
* Temperature problems: Is your fridge temperature right? Is the container too close to the freezer section? Did you leave them out too long?
* Moisture wrong: Is the paper too wet? Or too dry? Check this carefully.
* Not enough air: Are the holes in the lid big enough? Are there enough holes? Is something blocking the holes?
* Too many worms: Are too many worms packed into one container? Give them space. Use two containers if you have many worms.
* Container is dirty: Is the container clean? Are you changing the paper often enough?
* Bad water: Are you using clean water for the paper? Tap water is usually fine, but sometimes it has things in it that worms don’t like. Clean, cool water is best.
If your worms are dying fast, go back through the steps. Check everything. Small changes can make a big difference in keeping bloodworms fresh.
Other Uses for Bloodworms
We talked about fishing and feeding pet fish. Bloodworms are also used for other things. Sometimes they are used in science studies. Sometimes they are used to feed other pets, like frogs or turtles.
No matter the use, keeping them alive and fresh is important. The methods for live bloodworm storage in the fridge are helpful for any use where you need live, healthy worms.
How Long Can You Really Keep Them?
With perfect care, some people report keeping bloodworms alive for up to two weeks. Maybe even a little longer sometimes. But this needs daily checking and perfect conditions.
Realistically, for most people, keeping them well for 5 to 7 days is a good goal. After about a week, you will likely see more worms starting to die.
The bloodworm shelf life is limited. They are living things. They use energy. They produce waste. The cold slows this down. But it does not stop it completely.
Buy only what you need. Do not buy too many if you cannot use them fast. It is better to buy smaller amounts more often.
Extending Bloodworm Freshness – More Tips
Here are a few extra tips for extending bloodworm freshness:
- Buy local: If you can, buy worms from a local bait shop. They might be fresher because they did not travel far.
- Cool transport: When you buy them, take them home quickly. Keep them cool on the way. If it is hot, use a small cooler. Do not leave them in a hot car.
- Handle gently: Be gentle with the worms. Do not squeeze them or drop them. Rough handling can hurt them.
- Check temperature: If your fridge temperature changes a lot, find a more stable fridge if possible. A dedicated small fridge might be an option if you keep a lot of worms.
- Know your batch: Sometimes a batch of worms is just not strong. They might die faster no matter what you do. This is normal sometimes.
Good live bloodworm care is about paying attention. Check them every day. Give them the right home.
Why Avoid Water for Long Storage?
We mentioned avoiding putting bloodworms in a tub of water for long-term fridge storage. Let’s look at why.
Bloodworms breathe using oxygen in the water.
* In a small container of water, the amount of oxygen is limited.
* The worms use up the oxygen quickly.
* Then, there is no more air for them. They drown.
* Also, worms make waste. Waste builds up in the water. This makes the water dirty. Dirty water is bad for them.
* The temperature in water might not stay as steady as in damp paper.
Damp paper gives them moisture. It also lets air move around them easily. Air from outside the container can reach them through the paper and the container holes. This provides much more oxygen over time than a small amount of standing water. This is why live bloodworm storage with damp paper works better for extending bloodworm freshness.
What About Freezing Bloodworms?
You can freeze bloodworms. But this kills them. Freezing stops them from wiggling. It stops them from being live bait.
Frozen bloodworms are used to feed fish or other pets. People often freeze them in ice cubes. This keeps them fresh for feeding.
If you need live bait or live food, freezing is not the answer. You need the fridge method. If you just need food for pet fish and do not care if it is live, then freezing is a good way to store them for a very long time. Frozen bloodworms can last for months. But live ones in the fridge last days to maybe two weeks.
The main point of this guide is about how to keep live bloodworms alive in the fridge. For that, do not freeze them.
Recap: Key Points for Fridge Storage
Let’s quickly go over the main things to remember for storing bloodworms for fishing or feeding:
- Temperature: Keep them cold, 35-45°F (2-7°C), in the fridge.
- Container: Use a container with holes for air.
- Moisture: Use damp paper towels, not standing water.
- Spread Out: Don’t pile them up.
- Check Daily: Look at the paper, look at the worms.
- Remove Dead Ones: Take out any worms that are not moving.
- Keep it Clean: Change the paper when it gets dirty.
- Start Fresh: Buy lively worms.
Following these steps gives your bloodworms the best chance. It helps you get the most out of their bloodworm shelf life.
Final Thoughts on Bloodworm Shelf Life
Keeping bloodworms alive is not hard. It just takes a little care. Think of it like keeping a small pet happy. They need the right home. They need fresh air. They need the right moisture. They need to be kept cool. And they need any sick ones removed.
If you do these things, your bloodworms should last in the fridge for many days. This means you will have good, live bait for your fishing trip. Or you will have healthy, live food for your pet fish.
Remember, how long they last can change. It depends on the worms themselves. It depends on how well you care for them. Aim for 5-7 days. If you get more, that’s great! Always check them before you need them. Make sure they are still good to go.
Happy fishing! Happy feeding! Keeping your bloodworms happy keeps your fish happy. Knowing how long do bloodworms last in the fridge and how to make them last longer is a useful skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people ask about keeping bloodworms.
Q: Can I put bloodworms straight into water in the fridge?
A: It is not the best way for long storage. They use up the oxygen in the water too fast and can drown. Damp paper towels in a breathable container work much better for live bloodworm storage.
Q: My bloodworms died after just one day. What went wrong?
A: Many things could cause this. They might have been unhealthy when you bought them. They might have gotten too hot on the way home. The paper might have been too wet or too dry. The container might not have enough air holes. Check your steps and try again next time.
Q: How do I know if the paper towels are damp enough?
A: They should feel cool and moist to the touch. Water should not squeeze out easily. If they feel dry or just slightly cool, they need more water. If they are sitting in a pool of water, that is too much.
Q: Can I store bloodworms in the garage?
A: Only if the garage stays cool and the temperature is steady, like a fridge (35-45°F). Most garages get too warm in summer or too cold in winter. The fridge is the best place for steady, cool temperatures for refrigerated bloodworm storage temperature.
Q: Do I need special water for the paper towels?
A: Clean tap water is usually fine. Avoid water that is very dirty or has lots of chemicals. Cool, fresh water is best.
Q: How often should I remove dead bloodworms?
A: You should check for and remove dead worms every single day. This is very important for keeping bloodworms fresh and healthy.
Q: What do I do with bloodworms after my fishing trip?
A: If you have live worms left, put them back in their proper fridge container. Check them daily. If you cannot use them soon, you might consider freezing them for fish food later, but remember freezing kills them.
Q: Can bloodworms bite?
A: No, bloodworms (midge larvae) do not bite people. They are safe to handle.
Q: Does the type of container really matter?
A: Yes, very much. The container must allow air flow. A container with holes in the lid is key for successful live bloodworm storage. A sealed container will kill them quickly.