If you enjoy fishing, you likely know the value of good bait like nightcrawlers. As an excellent bait choice for catching all sorts of freshwater fish like bass, trout, catfish, and more, keeping your supply of nightcrawlers alive and lively is crucial.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer to your question: properly stored nightcrawlers can live 3-4 months in the refrigerator.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep nightcrawlers alive as long as possible in your fridge so you never run out of this top-notch bait.
Ideal Refrigerator Conditions for Storing Nightcrawlers
Temperature
Maintaining an ideal temperature is crucial for keeping nightcrawlers alive and active in the refrigerator. The optimal temperature range is between 36-46°F (2-8°C). Colder temperatures below 36°F can shock and kill worms, while warmer temps above 50°F promote bacterial growth and spoilage.
The best practice is to set your refrigerator between 40-45°F to keep nightcrawlers in prime condition for fishing.
Humidity Level
Proper humidity is equally important for refrigerated worms. Nightcrawlers require a humid environment around 90-95%. Lower humidity causes them to dry out, become inactive, and eventually die. To maintain humidity, store worms in containers lined with damp newspaper, peat moss, or coconut fiber.
Spraying the substrate with water every 2-3 days will help replenish moisture levels. Avoid soaking the material as overly wet conditions can drown worms and lead to mold growth.
Ventilation
Allowing airflow prevents odor buildup and the accumulation of gases like carbon dioxide that can be harmful to worms at high concentrations. Poke holes in the storage container lid or leave it partially open to allow some air exchange.
Just be sure humidity levels don’t drop too low with excess ventilation. Finding the right balance between humidity and airflow keeps worms happy.
Lighting Conditions
Nightcrawlers prefer dark environments, so store them away from light sources. Exposure to light stresses worms, makes them less active, and reduces their lifespan. Keep containers in the back of the refrigerator away from the door to limit light exposure when opening and closing it.
Completely opaque containers also block out light for ideal conditions.
Setting Up the Refrigerator for Nightcrawler Storage
Get the Right Refrigerator and Location
When selecting a refrigerator for storing nightcrawlers, it’s crucial to choose one that maintains a temperature between 36-42°F. This chilled environment keeps the worms dormant and slows their metabolism so they stay healthy longer.
The ideal refrigerator for worm storage should have decent insulation, adjustable temperature controls, and be located in a basement or garage that remains cool.
Prepare Storage Containers
You’ll need storage containers that allow air circulation so the worms don’t suffocate. Plastic or glass containers with lids that have holes punched in them work well. Make sure to use clean containers to prevent mold or bacteria growth.
Disinfect used containers with a mild bleach solution before adding new bedding and worms.
Provide Bedding
Proper bedding replicates the worm’s natural soil environment. Use materials like shredded newspaper, coconut fiber, peat moss, or corn meal. The bedding should remain moist but not soaked. Test different depths to determine how much the worms burrow – usually 4-6 inches is sufficient.
Add Food
While refrigerated worms are largely dormant, providing a small amount of food can help preserve gut flora. Sprinkle in vegetable and fruit scraps like lettuce, carrots, apples, or potatoes. Be sure to remove uneaten food so it doesn’t rot. Adding a piece of cardboard gives supplementary fiber.
Caring for Refrigerated Nightcrawlers
Regularly Check Moisture Levels
One of the most important aspects of caring for refrigerated nightcrawlers is ensuring they have adequate moisture. Nightcrawlers breathe through their skin, so keeping their environment moist is crucial. Aim to check the moisture levels in their container at least every 2-3 days.
Add a few spritzes of water if the bedding is starting to dry out. Too much moisture can lead to mold, while too little can severely dehydrate the worms.
Watch for Signs of Distress
Keep an eye out for any signs that the nightcrawlers are in distress. Sluggish movement, curled or stiff bodies, and worm clusters on the container walls often indicate issues. Take quick action by adjusting the temperature, moisture levels, or ventilation as needed.
Also, remove any dead worms right away to help keep the healthy ones thriving.
Change Out Bedding Periodically
About once a week, you’ll want to replace some of the bedding material in your refrigerated worm container. Scoop out roughly a quarter to a third of the existing substrate. Then add fresh, damp bedding like coconut coir, sphagnum moss, or shredded paper.
This helps reduce ammonia buildup from worm castings and provides a clean environment.
Transition Nightcrawlers When Going Fishing
Make sure to properly acclimate nightcrawlers before using them for fishing. Take the container out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours first. This gradual warming prevents temperature shock to the worms.
Slowly transitioning refrigerated worms to the outdoors will help keep them lively on the hook.
Ideal Fridge Life Span of Nightcrawlers
3-4 Months is Typical
When properly stored, most nightcrawlers can survive for 3-4 months in the refrigerator before dying off. This makes buying in bulk cost-effective. As long as the bedding and moisture is maintained, the average nightcrawler’s lifespan falls within this range.
However, giant nightcrawlers, a heartier breed, may live up to 6 months refrigerated. So giant crawler owners can purchase greater volumes less frequently. With extra attention to cleanliness and moisture control, some owners report having nightcrawlers last over 4 months.
Extending Life Through Proper Care and Conditions
To maximize refrigerated life span, nightcrawlers require cool, dark and humid conditions. Ideal temperature is between 36-42° F. The soil bedding should be kept lightly moist but not saturated. Adding vegetable scraps from the fridge provides added nutrition.
Replacing soiled bedding is also critical. Ammonia from worm waste can be toxic over time. An inch of fresh bedding added each month helps absorb waste. Lastly, leaving crawlers undisturbed in the back of the bottom fridge shelf reduces temperature fluctuations.
Spotting When They’re Nearing the End
There are clear signs nightcrawlers are close to death after prolonged fridge storage. They become incredibly sluggish and unresponsive. Skin may appear discolored or dry. A foul odor emanates from their bedding soil.
Nightcrawlers nearing death also exhibit physical distortions. Once perfectly cylindrical crawlers now appear shriveled or flattened. Segments separate and insides may liquify. While decomposing individuals should be disposed, others can sometimes be revived by fresh bedding and moisture.
Storing for Even Longer Periods
Hibernation Fridge at Near-Freezing Temperatures
If you want to store your nightcrawlers for several months or longer, keeping them in a hibernation fridge set to just above freezing (34-40°F) is ideal. The colder temperature will slow their metabolism and activity to a bare minimum, allowing them to stay alive for extended periods in a dormant state.
To prep nightcrawlers for hibernation fridge storage:
- Keep them in a container filled with damp sphagnum moss or shredded paper.
- Make sure the substrate is moist but not soggy.
- Poke some small holes in the container’s lid for a bit of airflow.
- Place the container in a fridge that maintains 34-40°F temperatures.
With ideal hibernation conditions, healthy nightcrawlers can survive 6 months or longer before needing to be “woken up” and fed again. Just transition them slowly back to room temperature before feeding to avoid shocking their systems.
Vacuum-Sealed Storage
Vacuum sealing nightcrawlers and keeping them refrigerated is another excellent method for long-term storage. The vacuum removes oxygen, further slowing their metabolism for maximum preservation.
To vacuum seal nightcrawlers:
- Wash off any dirt and blot them dry.
- Place in a vacuum bag with damp moss or paper.
- Squeeze out excess air and vacuum seal the bag.
- Refrigerate between 34-40°F.
Vacuum sealing can keep nightcrawlers alive and viable for 12-18 months when refrigerated. Remember to gradually transition them back to room temperature before opening the vacuum bag.
With either of these extended cold storage methods, be sure to check your stored nightcrawlers periodically. Discard any that appear shriveled, discolored, or foul smelling. Properly stored specimens will remain plump and healthy-looking while dormant in the fridge.
Conclusion
By setting up the right refrigerator conditions, containers, and care, storing nightcrawlers for fishing bait can easily be done for up to 4 months.
Taking some simple steps to monitor moisture, swap out bedding, provide food, and transition them when going fishing allows your nightcrawler supply to stay fresh for months of great fishing!
