Wild fish, farm-raised fish and many aquarium fish can't resist maggots either.
If you're an Angler and you don't want to depend on (or pay) the bait shop for maggots, this DIY tutorial can keep you camping and fishing with free bait all summer. You'll never have to worry about an empty baffle box again.
Maggots are easier to raise than worms. They're a nutritious, natural food that's rich in protein. They're FREE, easy to manage and not nearly as disgusting as you probably imagine.
If you're serious about living off-the-grid, this information should help alleviate your maggot-anxiety and facilitate a more self-sufficient lifestyle. You probably already have the modest equipment needed to start farming so it won't cost you one red cent, either.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: The Story of Big Momma
The inspiration for this ible mysteriously appeared twelve days ago. It flew right in my back porch. It sounded like the usual noisy bumblebee, banging itself against the closed window, trying to escape.
"IT" turned out to be the biggest freaking house fly I've ever seen in my whole, oldish life. (Since I'm older than duct tape, that's saying something.)
I proceeded to capture and jar the gargantuan fly. I wanted to show my wife and I was just plain curious about what species it was. I thought maybe the internet could solve the mystery. Then I got side-tracked. By what I don't remember.
Here is The story of Big Momma.
Day ONE:
I remember my captive godzilla fly and go to check, expecting it to be legs-up and dead. Nope! IT is a SHE-it and as active as ever. She's laid at least 100 1/4" eggs in the empty jar.
That's where this ible really began. I figure BIG fly egg= BIG maggot. BIG maggot= BIG FREE fishing bait. FREE fishing bait= CRAP! I'm too busy to go fishing. :(
I toss a few tiny pieces of raw chicken meat into the jar anyway and leave big momma to her maternal business.
Day TWO:
Big momma, 48 hours post-capture, active and laying eggs on the chicken meat.
Whoever said houseflies only live 24 hours never met a housefly like Big momma.
Big momma's family must have sent out a search party.
One of Big momma's cousins buzzes in and kamikazes directly into a sink full of hot dishwater. My wife hears the plop, sees the cousin, then calls me into the kitchen to rescue it. I transport the groggy patient to Big momma's jar.
The family reunion was brief, however. Big momma's cousin dies sometime during the night.
Day FOUR:
Big momma appears to be winding down. Her life-cycle is clearly coming to an end.
Day FIVE:
RIP Big momma. Sorry, no funeral. Quasi-autopsy shows that she measured in at nearly 7/8" . I place Big momma, her cousin and the egg-laden meat into a larger plastic container.
Day SIX & SEVEN:
No sign of life.
Day EIGHT:
No sign of.... WAIT. I check the underside of the container and there they are. Big momma's big babies are feeding underneath the rotting chicken meat.
Day NINE to PRESENT:
11 Big maggots feed voraciously for 3 days then stop eating. All maggots (but 1) are now climbing away from the rotting meat toward the top of the container.
Big maggots are now at the favored stage for fish bait and chicken feed. If refrigerated, they will remain viable bait for up to 3 weeks.
Big maggots are placed in a containers filled 1/2" with corn meal. They burrow immediately.
CONCLUSION:
I expect the maggots to cycle into the pupa stage very shortly. Soon they'll emerge just as big as Big Momma. I'll update this ible with pictures of the pupa in a few days.
btw, did you know that pet spiders are especially fond of pupa?
FREE MAGGOTS:
Unfortunately, I'm leaving the country in about a week. I can't keep the farm going. If you are interested in raising BIG MOMMA Flies that will cycle into BIG MAGGOTS, just message me and I'll mail the pupae to you free of charge. I'd be interested in hearing all about the future generation of Big mommas if you are so inclined.
**UPDATE** BIG MAGGOTS ARE NOW PUPAE. They are needing a new home before they hatch. See the last picture.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
You could even put a little moustache on one to win the moustache challenge!
Hey now as much as I would love to take credit for the idea of a maggot harness and leash I must admit it was your idea. Well ok the harness was my idea and the dental floss was too but I was just trying to help. I wouldn't want you to try using webbing for it and have "big mama's" spawn high tailing it down the sidewalk and getting away. After all we all know how speedy those little beasts can be. ;-)
Here is where to find the mustache challenge. Good Luck!
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Weekly-Challenge-Mustaches/
Btw, thanks for the link. :-)
The maggots are gone and my wife is missing!!!!! Maybe she's taken them for a walk?????
I should have warned her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Link? argh!!!! My wife is missing and you're talking about link?????
so i wold say yes it is
These maggots were lively in my hand. I cannot imagine putting one in my mouth. More power to you!;-D
I'll bring some home from Mexico next spring and and try it. Thanks for the suggestion!
I've been bitten by what I thought was a lady bug. It was a lady beetle. they look identical.
Did you know medical maggots are also FDA-approved and prescribed? They are used to clean necrotic wounds and have saved both life and limb when conventional antibiotics and treatment were completely ineffective.
Gross, yes, but also one of natures little miracle bugs. Our environment would be overloaded with dead, stinky, putrid carcasses if it weren't for maggots.
Actually did you know that during one of the wars that became apparent (can't remember which one). Some of the men were "beyond hope" and left to die so the less severely injured could be cared for. Well some still survived and it was the ones who's wounds became infested with maggots that fared a much better chance. The maggots would eat away the infected material and leave the clean healthy living flesh alone.
Hehe, lets hope no one was eating while reading this. Certainly a beneficial insect. They still gross me out though, lol.
What a GROSS B-rated movie that would be. I am surprised it hasn't been made already! ;-O)
LOL. Maybe someone IS eating lunch. I saw some pretty gross pictures I could post!