Feeding Mealworms

[hcgirl88]

I need some quick do's and don'ts for feeding mealworms. I tried to view the article in the sticky thread, but it's not working.
Would it be ok if I got them from a bait shop ?
Should I just keep a dish in their tank for when I am not able to feed them crickets ?
What does a mealworm proof dish look like ?

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

Like all other insects the mealworm should be fed well and fully hydrated prior to using them as feeders. Bait shop mealworms are often being produced by the same breeders that supply local petshops, if in doubt just ask. Mainly it does not matter though.

You can make your own mealworm proof feeding cup by cutting a 2.5"diameter hole in the center of a delicup lid, find the lowest deli cup that will fit your lid and drop in dusted mealworms along with a slice of carrot.

Mealworms should not be your primary feeder, long term health is not going to be very good if you do.

Maurice Pudlo

 

[LightShow]

Also if you are feeding small Leo's don't put a dish of mealworms in the tank for them to eat when the wish, I've heard of mealworms nibbling on small geckos that get in the dish with them. Good to feed them with tongs and decapitate them first so they don't bite the gecko.

 

[Mardy]

Mealworm safe dishes generally look like this.

And yes it's safe to leave some in the dish if you know you will be gone for a day or two, or if you won't be there to hand feed.

When you buy mealworms, make sure they are not "giant mealworms". Giant mealworms are treated with growth hormones, so they are chemically modified to be that large in size. Buy the regular sized mealworms, they usually come in small, medium, or large.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I have had young geckos in with tanks that have bowls of meal worms, I usually only feed as much as I think they will eat that night, but sometimes there are a few left over. They have walked through the bowl and I have never had a problem with my gecko being bitten.

The link in the thread (I think) was about how meal worms are not as nutritious as crickets, especially when it comes to Calcium/Phosphorus ratios. I trade off between Crickets and Meal worms for my gecko. And if I am going to be gone and have someone else taking care of them, I go with meal worms, it is easier for them, and if it is a short enough trip I can just put a bunch in an escape proof bowl with some carrot.

 

[nigthelizard]

I have had young geckos in with tanks that have bowls of meal worms, I usually only feed as much as I think they will eat that night, but sometimes there are a few left over. They have walked through the bowl and I have never had a problem with my gecko being bitten.

The link in the thread (I think) was about how meal worms are not as nutritious as crickets, especially when it comes to Calcium/Phosphorus ratios. I trade off between Crickets and Meal worms for my gecko. And if I am going to be gone and have someone else taking care of them, I go with meal worms, it is easier for them, and if it is a short enough trip I can just put a bunch in an escape proof bowl with some carrot.

Yes, I find it very amusing to say that they will be bite. Is not your gecko faster than worm? It has no legs. Besides if he is touch by worm not even bite he will move away... not a large risk I do not think.

But I have gone to wal mart and near the area of guns I have found "cricket cup" for $1.86 and has 50 crickets. just be sure to look of the top to check if it is open and cricket has escape or to check to see if it is dead. These are very good crickets very large. Just remove the cricket to separate container to use calcium dust if you like because sometimes it has large potato piece which can kill the cricket smash when you shake it and holes in the side will make a big mess

I showed my girlfriend this post and she said to edit. if some people do not have guns in walmart and its near fishing