Flytraps after (and while) eating

[honoroll2002]

Lately I've been finding small critters and pill bugs for my fly traps to eat. When I put the bugs in, the trap will close like normal. But, the next day when I check my traps, some sort of suction has developed around the insect. Is this supposed to be happening? After the trap opens, will it fall off?
Any Ideas?  

 

[sarracenialuver]

Hi,
That is perfectly normal. The flytrap has made the trap air tight to not let any digestive juices, or the bug fall out. The trap will re-open and it will continue catching bugs. Once the trap opens again, rainwater usually washes the dead exo skeleton out.
Kevin

 

[vft guy in SJ]

Hi.. just a little note on this, If the rain doesnt wash the exoskeleton out of the trap, don't worry. The trap will still function. Some of mine have 2 and even 3 carcasses in them. If you want to remove them, the best way to do that without triggering the trap to snap again, is to pluck it out with a pair of tweezers when the trap first begins to open.

Good luck with your plant
Steve

 

[uglypho]

That suction is just the process of digestion. Without that seal, bacteria would spread throughout the plant and the trap would rot.