Mealworms-goodie, sounds like the last thing you’d want in your sandwich, right? Well, to the backyard birds, pet reptiles, and some folks’ plates, it’s a delicacy. The squirmy creatures are very healthy to keep your pets lively and chirpy.
But with a handful of mealworms wriggling in your hand, you might just wonder how you will keep them fresh and feisty. Dear friend, fear not. Take a casual walk through the in and outs of raising those wigglers.
Now, let’s begin with the basic temperature they enjoy: cool, nice, and chill-much like me during naptime right after serving up the Thanksgiving turkey. Store them between 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but again, do not keep them in total Arctic frigidity. Pop them into the fridge, avoiding the freezer section unless you are one for mealworm popsicles. A crisper drawer is putting them in a five-star hotel.
Now, about that bedding-it’s not Egyptian cotton sheets, but it doesn’t need to be. A simple substrate of oats or bran will do nicely, serving dual duty as bedding and snack. You see, mealworms multitask. If one listens closely, he might almost hear them munch away, serenading him with the softest of crunchy tunes.
Mealworms get thirsty, too, but believe me, they don’t use sippy cups. A nice fresh veggie or fruit does the trick. Carrots, potatoes, or apples work in a pinch. Here is the best part-you’ll want to minimize too much moisture, or your mealworm condo could turn into a moldy mess quicker than you can say “lunchtime.”
Keep it clean: Mealworms aren’t exactly into clutter. Take out the old veggie bits before they start making the place smell unwanted. Think of it like a spring cleaning for your bug empire, but no feather duster needed. What’s this I hear? The mealworm hotel is emitting some foul odors? Time for a change of sheets.