Has anyone ever had to clear a feeder of several lbs of worms/maggot-like creatures that clogged the spout? Feeder wasn’t throwing so I relieved it of ~400 lbs of corn to discover ~20lbs or so of worms/black corn. It was disgusting.

They looked like maggots, about 1/3 the size of a grub worm. Tan in color. What are they?

Maggots an grub worms. Guessing moisture.

Throw it away and buy another

Clean it out and stop the moisture from penetrating. If you have Sapper $, just buy a new one.

So they’re actual maggots? Same kind that eat meat? They looked bigger than that. Cleaned it out well and refilled....it’s brand new and cost me ~$850 so next step will be to re-caulk it. Burn it if that doesn’t fix it.

The corn got wet somehow. Maggots will show up. I’ve had the problem in the past. I fixed the leak and cleaned the insides of the feeder and washed it with diesel. That worked.

Wish I hadn’t asked....had my bare hands in all sorts of maggot crap. Gives me the willies.

Glad I didn’t fill with 600lbs, I’ll run the corn out, re-caulk, refill once dry. Never thought a maggot would eat anything other than a dead animal. Explains the god-awful smell too.

I appreciate your help.

I had an old Wildgame Innovations feeder and varmints at a hole in the lid. It was late spring and it rained on the corn, then got hot. It was a disgusting, maggotty, mess. I hooked on to it with the Mule and just pulled it down and replaced. I now have all stand and fill feeders from Buccee's - life is better.

Had this happen when we moved feeders to a new lease. We didn't have funnels so there is always corn on the sides and we had the same thing. My buddys feeder was worse since it had been in place longer. Purchased funnels this year and caulked them in so no old corn will stick around.

If that corn was black you are getting moisture in it

"Worms in the Deer Feeder"
Sounds like a country song.

Hogs will eat the bad corn, bugs are bonus protein.

M

One of my feeders had a bunch of little worms it it. My guess blowing rain from Hurricane Laura got corn wet. I dumped out what little corn I had it and reflle. If I seem little worms again will make a better gasket for the top and caulk the sides.

Ewww that smell. Can't ya smell that smell?

Been there done that. Just makes me gag thinking about the smell.

yep, had one out in Ozona, old feeder that I put new guts on the bottom, filled it up and 2-3 months later when I was back out there it was one big glob of black oozing black ick filled with maggot looking worms. I found that the old lid had multiple pin holes rusted thru allowing water to slowly drip in after a rain. It was nasty!!! Evidently the rain came shortly after I filled it up too, so at least 250# of nastiness that I dumped outside the pen. Painted the lid with travel trailer roof paint and it was good to go.

meal worm or black soldier flies. put them on a screen and spray them off with a hose. Take them to the stock tank and catch some goggle eyes.