FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hi! im new here:) But anyway i fed it a moth and the wings were sticking out a bit, but now the Jaws are shut but it is still open that i can see inside it. Do i open it with my hands or just leave it? if you need pictures i will try and supply but i dont really know how, but i'll try! Thank you in advance!

Hey Craggle ad welcome to the forums! How long ago did you feed you trap the moth? The traps wont shut completely at first they will always remain just allitle open for a while so that any bugs that are too small will be able to escape. This way the plant doesnt waste a lot of valuable energy digesting a bug that is so small it wont get any nutrients from it. The trap should shut completely over the course of a few hours and then form a tight seal around its prey so it can start digesting. Any bugs that are large enough are usually unable to escape through the "teeth" and the trap knows they are their because they move around trying to find an exit. A couple things too add as well, first if you fed your plant a dead bug you may need to very gently rub the sides of the trap that the bug is in. This will "trick" the trap into thinking the bug is still alive and moving inside and it will surely begin to digest it.. if you dont do this with dead bugs the trap will simply open back up again in a couple hours thinking the bug has escaped. Also i dont suggest feeding it moths as they are often times too "sticky" and alot of their remains get stuck to the trap once it opens and you will pretty much never be able to get it off. I hope this helps!

Thanks! and the rubbing the sides trick worked i did it for 30 minutes or so then left it for a couple hours and its fine now, thanks for the extra advice too!