Wasps grubs / nest and storage

[philocalist]

Looking forward to a windfall tomorrow of some gifted wasps nests / grubs - years since I used them much and at that stage never had to do anything apart from stick 'em on a hook.
Whats the best way forwards with handling / storage etc?
Thanks

[Martin56]

Just wrap the cakes individually in newspaper & Freeze them.

 

It doesn't kill the Grubs - in fact you get them hatching out on the bank when thawed.

 

Stab out any hatching wasps with a darning needle as you go. They crawl out of the cell still soft & wet for a while & need to dry off before they can take flight & do you any harm. (You've a good window in which to "Do 'Em")

 

Can also fish a piece of wasp cake on a large hook (even if only a couple of Grubs are in - or even none) Say a size 4 or 6.hook with a bomb. Or down the edge - with an overdepth, held back float.

 

This is where a large Porcupine comes into its own!!

 

The cake is sweet just on its own & catches. (Big gobbed Chub that is) So Don't throw the empty cake away.

 

Stick the hook through the thin paper side & back through the thicker cardboardy side so it lays at 90 deg' to the Line.

 

Size of a matchbox is about right.

Edited September 22, 2017 by Martin56

[Martin56]

The cake will keep for Months in Freezer!!

Edited September 22, 2017 by Martin56

[philocalist]

Hmm ... just got a new toy ... do you reckon that vacuum packing before freeezing would be a benefit, or more likely to destroy the grubs?

[chesters1]

Depends if its a good one with a moist low vac setting

Brilliant things vacuum sealers .

Chesters vacuum sealer top tip ,sort out your tax returns ,utility bills etc into 5 year bundles and vacuum seal them and chuck them in the loft ,believe me you may need them .

If you put something fragile in them put in a moisture bag and just seal the bag it will be safe for decades

Watch out for cheap bags they will seal but may not vacuum ,you can also reseal most bags that were heat sealed new

 

If you try to vacuum pack fish dry them in towling first then use the moist setting if you just try full suck liquid gets sucked out which stops it sealing and it makes the machine pong! (experience talking)

Edited September 23, 2017 by chesters1