Mealworms can be fed as a treat or staple, depending on the animals you're feeding. Make sure to dust mealworms with a proper vitamin and mineral supplement before being fed to your pet. Feed mealworms using feeding tongs or in a worm dish.
Mealworms are great feeder insects for: leopard geckos, crested geckos, fat tail geckos, bearded dragons, lizards, geckos, wild birds, and fish. In fact, some fishermen swear by mealworms, calling them the ideal bait! Wild birds absolutely love mealworms as a treat - these high protein feeders provide a big energy boost.
Typical nutritional analysis of a mealworm :-
- Moisture: 62.62%
- Fat: 10.01%
- Protein: 10.63%
- Fiber:3.1%
- Calcium:420 ppm
Gut-loading :- Gut-load mealworms with nutrient-rich foods such as dark leafy greens or commercial gut-loading diets for 24-48 hours (about 2 days) before feeding them to your reptiles.
Dusting:- Dust mealworms with a calcium supplement before feeding to ensure your reptiles receive essential nutrients.
Culture Care :-
Upon arrival, transfer your mealworms into a plastic container (the quantity of worms will determine the size of your container). If your container has a lid, it will need several aeration holes. Add about 1 inch of mealworm bedding to the container, then add the worms. Continue by adding layer another inch of bedding on top.
Mealworms can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks with very little maintenance. The mealworm bedding is their food source. After two weeks, the mealworms should be removed from the refrigerator, and a small amount of Insect Watering Gel or fresh veggies should be added to the top of the bedding. Allow the mealworms to stay at room temperature for about 24 hours. This will allow them enough time to "wake up" and become more active so that they can consume food and water.
Cleaning and Maintenance :-
Regular Cleaning:- When adding new mealworms to your enclosure, remove the old potato, substrate, and frass (waste) from the leftover mealworms.
Fresh Supplies:- Provide fresh food and substrate to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
Disposal :- To dispose of live feeders responsibly, place in an escape-proof bag or container, freeze for at least 24 hours, and then dispose of in the garbage can.
By following these guidelines, you can maintain a healthy mealworm colony and provide nutritious feeder insects for your Fish, Birds, Reptiles etc. Regular care and the benefits of gut-loading insects will ensure your Pets receive the best possible nutrition from their mealworms.
