How To Store Dendrobaena Worms
Expert advice from Downswood Worms
Quick Answer
Transfer your worms from the delivery bag into a ventilated container, such as a bait tub, keeping them in the coconut coir they arrived in. Store them in a cool place (ideally 8–15°C), keep the bedding damp but not waterlogged, and avoid direct sunlight. If you plan to keep them for an extended period, move them into a more nutritious bedding and feed them regularly to maintain their condition.
Whether you’ve bought your Dendrobaena worms for fishing or as live food for reptiles, amphibians, birds or other animals, storing them correctly will help keep them healthy and in good condition until you’re ready to use them.
Short-Term Storage
When your worms arrive, transfer them from the delivery bag into a ventilated container, such as a bait tub. Keep them in the coconut coir they were supplied in, and ideally add a handful of damp shredded cardboard.
For best results:
- Keep the container in a cool place, ideally between 8°C and 15°C.
- Avoid direct sunlight and hot cars.
- Keep the coir slightly moist, but not waterlogged.
- Leave the air holes uncovered so the worms can breathe.
- Handle the worms as little as possible.
For the best quality bait or live food, we recommend using your worms as soon as practical.
ℹ️ Did You Know?
Dendrobaena worms breathe through their skin, so keeping the bedding damp is essential. At the same time, they also need plenty of fresh air, which is why a well-ventilated container is just as important as moist bedding.
💡 Should I Keep My Worms in the Fridge?
Some anglers choose to keep their worms in a refrigerator, and if this is something you’ve done successfully for years, there’s no reason to change what works for you.
At Downswood Worms, however, we don’t generally recommend refrigeration. Cooler temperatures slow the worms’ metabolism, reducing their activity and feeding. While this can be useful for some live foods, such as mealworms, Dendrobaena worms don’t undergo metamorphosis, so there is little benefit in slowing their natural activity.
We find they are best kept in a cool location (around 8–15°C) where they can remain active and continue feeding, helping them stay in good condition.
Longer-Term Storage
If you want to keep your worms for an extended period, it’s worth moving them into more suitable bedding.
The coconut coir they are supplied in is ideal for transport because it holds moisture well and protects the worms during delivery. However, it contains very little nutrition.
Your worms will survive in the coir, but over time they will gradually lose condition, becoming thinner and less active as they use up their stored energy.
To keep them healthy for longer:
- Use a ventilated container with enough depth to hold at least 10 cm of bedding.
- Fill it with a bedding mix of approximately 40% moist multi-purpose compost, 40% damp shredded cardboard and 20% coconut coir.
- Keep the bedding damp, but not waterlogged.
- Store the container somewhere cool, ideally between 8°C and 15°C.
Feed them occasionally with small amounts of:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps.
- Complete worm food.
Only add a small amount of food at a time, allowing it to be eaten before adding more.
With suitable bedding, regular feeding and the right conditions, your worms can be maintained in good health until you’re ready to use them.