Identification and Control Methods for Common Silkworm Pests

Many people who raise silkworms pay close attention to preventing mulberry leaf and silkworm diseases, but tend to neglect pest prevention. In fact, the threat from pests is not small either. If some breeders often find that their silkworms have gone missing and cannot find the cause, it is very likely caused by pests, because the pests have eaten the silkworms. Let's take a look at some common pests below!

1. Ants

Ants are an overlooked presence for silkworm breeders, yet their threat is actually very great. Once ants successfully carry off the first silkworm, more ants will follow, and during the larval stage in particular, extra attention should be paid to dealing with ants in the rearing room. Some breeders have suffered heavy losses precisely because they failed to handle this aspect well and because there were many ant nests nearby. In the early stage, it is best to check whether there are ant nests nearby, and then use medication for prevention, especially at some relatively hidden openings, where prevention should be emphasized even more.

2. Mice

Mice actually eat silkworms too, and they can eat a lot. To them, silkworms are a delicacy. Since mice are also social animals and move fairly quickly, once they determine that stealing silkworms here is convenient, it becomes a disaster. A single mouse can eat dozens of silkworms in one night, which is terrifying. If there are even more mice, no one can withstand it, so preventing rodent damage is extremely important. Breeders must carry out rodent-proofing in advance to avoid unnecessary losses!

3. Flies

The threat of flies as a pest is generally relatively rare and mostly occurs in open-air rearing situations, but once it appears, it is very likely to be a widespread infection. The principle is that fly larvae penetrate into the silkworm, develop inside, and then slowly absorb the silkworm's nutrients, ultimately causing the silkworm's death. If silkworms are found to be rotting or shriveled and have holes on their bodies, it is very likely caused by this. Silkworm breeders must take the best preventive measures to prevent flies from directly contacting the silkworms, covering the top with gauze netting, which is both breathable and safe.

4. Toads

This is also a relatively common hazard in rural areas. Some toads will enter through gaps in the house, or hide in wall holes, and come out at night to forage. Insects are a toad's favorite, and slowly wriggling creatures like silkworms are a delicacy to toads. If no one intervenes, a slightly larger toad can eat 30 young silkworms in one night, and over time everyone knows how serious this loss is. Therefore, preventing toads is also very important.

The above are some of the pests easily encountered when raising silkworms, and these pests all carry the threat of outbreaks. So when raising silkworms in daily life, you must not only pay attention to the threat of diseases; pests are equally terrifying.