Feeding the Feeders Q&A with Rainbow Mealworms

To continue on the path of what are we; as responsible herpetoculturists feeding our reptile and amphibian pets, I was able to get in direct contact with one of the most well-known mealworm and superworm producers! Rainbow Mealworms received my message and replied immediately with how much they’d like to help us out. If that doesn’t speak volumes about their customer service, I don’t know what does. I’ve personally used Rainbow Mealworms as a mealworm and superworm distributor before when I worked in both the ‘big box’ pet stores and the independent pet stores as well. They’ve never disappointed with their products and services. So to put another feather in their cap. They were kind enough to share with us their personal tips on keeping mealworms and supers.

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They even bust a huge ‘MYTH’ regarding superworms!

Gutloading

What diet is healthy to keep mealworms on prior to feeding?

Mealworms can be fed any type of unrefined grain, they can eat wheat bran, oatmeal, corn meal, etc. Customers can also add in supplements like MS2 Premium Chow or Repashy Bug Burger to the bran increasing the protein, calcium, and vitamins available in the insect diet. MS2 contains bee pollen, the nutritional ‘superfood’ for insects. You can also read the article by Marcy of MS2 Reptiles in the Far North.

While some growers add vitamins to their insect diet, we choose not to realizing the customer may be adding in mineral and vitamin supplements at home. Calcium overload as well as vitamins A & D toxicity are a definite risk for reptiles, so we choose to keep our mealworms in their natural and pure state.

Is there any specific preparation you’d recommend prior to feeding the feeder? Head removal of ‘superworms’ for example.

We sell to many top breeders who don’t take the time to remove heads and have never reported any problems in the 58 years we’ve been selling feeders.

If the customer feels more comfortable removing the heads, the nutritional loss of the worm by ‘beheading’ is minimal. Superworms especially will ‘nibble’ looking for a water source (you can feel them doing this picking up a handful). Superworms that have had adequate hydration in the form of sliced carrots or potato are less apt to search for alternate sources.

As far as feeder diet is concerned what diet are you feeding the feeders and why? (Nutritional value, cost-effective, etc.)

We use and recommend wheat bran. While mealworms can eat any type of grain (oatmeal, flours, corn meal) wheat bran has been rolled in the milling process making each piece flat so the mealworms can eat it readily. Wheat bran has 4% calcium, vitamins E and B6, as well as being 9% protein. Our mealworms thrive best using it.

Watering the Feeders

What’s the best way to offer mealworms and superworms water?

We provide human grade carrots for our insects as a water source. Potatoes can mold easily, so we avoid them. We realize reptiles, birds, and even humans eat our worms and so we raise them as organically as possible, changing our vegetables every other day to ensure freshness in our growing bins.

Keeping Feeders at Home

What special technique or tip would you give our readers for helping our feeders last after purchase?

Mealworms are best refrigerated. The spot in your fridge farthest from the milk storage area is the warmest, and perfect for mealworms. Although you can put them straight into the refrigerator when you receive them, they will last much longer in dormancy if given a meal first.

To give them a pre-dormancy meal, feed them a grain (wheat bran, oatmeal, corn meal, masa) and for water give them sliced carrots or potatoes. Let them eat for at least 4 hours to give them energy to store and they will last 6 to 8 weeks dormant in your refrigerator.

You can also store them at room temperature but they will need much more care. At room temperature mealworms will constantly need grain and vegetables to eat and depending on their size will pupate and turn into beetles.

At room temperature they must be kept at a depth of no more than 1.5″ and have their droppings (castings) sifted out every 2-3 days. You can do this with a large flour sifter (the semi-circle type with a handle), sifting the worms from one bin into another.

Superworms must be kept at room temperature with the same instructions for mealworms and must never be refrigerated.