How to Keep Mexican Jumping Beans Dormant

Mexican jumping beans are one of nature's more interesting "toys." These items aren't actually beans at all, but seed pods with moth larvae inside. These "beans" are created when the Laspeyresia saltitans moth lays eggs that burrow inside the pods of the Mexican shrub Sebastiana pavoniana, according to online natural history newsletter Wayne's Word.com. As the larva grows, it moves from side to side, making the pod "jump." To keep these pods dormant, you must take steps to keep the larvae quiet.

Water
Refrigerator

Instructions

- 1
  Keep your beans cool. They react to warmth and will be still in cooler areas. Store them in a drawer in the refrigerator to keep them dormant. This cool storage also keeps them alive longer--up to three months, according to My Pet Beans.com.
- 2
  Keep your Mexican jumping beans in the dark. Store them in a drawer or closet when you're not using them, as the larvae react to light.
- 3
  Care for your Mexican jumping beans even when you're not actively playing with them. They are live animals that need water. Spray them lightly once a week with water, making sure to gently dry the bean after five minutes.

Care of Mexican Jumping Beans

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