---
title: "I fed my Venus fly trap, a dead fly and it won’t close all the way…"
description: "I fed my Venus fly trap, a dead fly and it won’t close all the way why?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/nCqjNmswTlS-vtdufEldHw/75G3Qv3mTwO8c4skdC6HZQ"
community: "Carnivorous Corner"
author: "Predator plant lover"
published: "2024-08-02T00:28:02.073958Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BslonWipcSK9UTEnj51CCi465o-ov9y1fWve1JZOJMQ/GxiSgq1_SA-gGVagveG3Ag.webp?size=large"
---

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# I fed my Venus fly trap, a dead fly and it won’t close all the way…

_Posted by Predator plant lover on 2024-08-02_

I fed my Venus fly trap, a dead fly and it won’t close all the way why?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BslonWipcSK9UTEnj51CCi465o-ov9y1fWve1JZOJMQ/GxiSgq1_SA-gGVagveG3Ag.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Skye 🌿 commented on 2024-08-02

could be a number of things, including trap age, water, soil, light, and many other factors; the hairs also have to be stimulated in rapid succession by a living insect for it to close all the way, perhaps it knows the bug was already dead lol 🤷‍♀️

#### Predator plant lover replied on 2024-08-02

lol thanks

### Claudia commented on 2024-08-02

They don’t typically like already dead bugs. Its the bugs movement that makes the jaws close tight

### Predator plant lover commented on 2024-08-02

OK, I’ll be sure to activate their trigger hairs

#### Carnie replied on 2024-08-02

They have to stay alive for a certain amount of time after full  
Closure to trigger the plant to produce the digestive juices. The only way I know of to feed it with dead bugs is there’s a way you can do it with dried blood worms. Not sure much more

### Mr Plant Guy commented on 2024-08-02

Get some mealworm! I use reptile food mealworms from the pet store. Just feed them on cucumber and put some plain oats in and they last ages

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