Matt's point was that if you get "creative" about what you feed your flytrap, you'll probably kill it. And he's right. Just feed them bugs.

Flytraps are picky about what they can eat. And yes, Barry Rice did the study I believe (it was either him or Peter D'Amato), where he fed a flytrap a small piece of dead skin and the flytrap did "eat" it.

99%, though, bugs only. Here's more info on this subject: http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq2440.html


On a side note, you can feed flytraps betta fish pellets that have been dipped in water first though. I've had success with this. If you don't dip them in water, the trap often burns at the spot where the pellet was.

You have to massage the trap a few times to stimulate the trigger hairs or it won't "eat" the betta pellet(s). Only feed small amounts of pellets though. One for small traps, a few for larger traps, and of course don't feed all of the traps betta pellets at once or the flytrap will at least go into decline if not die. One to three traps at a time at most. Start slow and see what works.

Just bought one. Am I allowed to feed it woodlice? I heard the Fly Traps can also digest arachnids, besides insects, so I believe crustaceans aren't a problem.

My dad killed a wasp, but I don't know if it would be allowed to eat the insect if it's dead so i'm just leaving it for now.

Hi i feed my Venus Fly Trap spiders and the trap always goes black is it somthing to do with the poison/venom inside the spiders to kill prey?

Just bought a venus flytrap and can't wait feed it some flies.

I had a venus fly trap and I fed it freeze dryed flys I aslo built it a solarium therefore I didnt have to put it in the fridge during the winter

I SO want one of these guys now... anyone know where i can get one? (e.g. petsmart target walmart etc.)

i purchased mine at kroger in their floral department

you get them at colasontys i just got one today my last one starved cause the flys were to smart and went for the food

Tnx I was wondering if you could so now I know I shouldn't. Just got my fly trap today. I named it snappers.

Tnx now I know what to feed mine. Just got it today. I named him Snapper

If no insect, arachnid, etc. was ever given to a venus fly trap, it could still live. IF you just want to see what it does, many of the carnivorous plant sites sell non-toxic fly traps that you can pull the flies off of and feed to the plant. They are usually used for multiple plants because you don't want to over-feed the plant due to the fact that it may stunt it's growth...sunlight and consistently moist moss (sphagnum, possibly with coarse sand or perlite that is not from miracle gro). Also make sure you never use fertilizer or plant food unless you want to burn the roots and kill them. They can live in well lit, moist sphagnum moss alone.