Cricket Gutload

[Superior]

I am going to switch to mealworms, but have leftover flunker's cricket gutload. Is it ok to use this and mix it in with the bedding the worms come with?

 

[Grinning Geckos]

The bedding the worms comes in is not what they should be kept in. There's nothing to it, and wouldn't be great for gutloading purposes. The cricket gutload is fine to use with the worms.

 

[Superior]

So...take the worms out..dump the bedding...and refill with cricket gutload?

 

[Scoots85]

What do you mean by bedding exactly? I've never bought any mealies yet so I'm curious. Can they be kept in a regular plastic container (margarine container, for example) with a few dishes of gutload?

 

[Grinning Geckos]

So...take the worms out..dump the bedding...and refill with cricket gutload?

Exactly. The bran (don't remember exactly what it is) that they generally come in is only good while in the store. You want them in something better for gutloading before you feed to your geckos.

The mealworms can be kept in just about anything with slick sides that's at least 2" deep. They like to bury into their food, so dishes in the container aren't likely to work. You want enough gutload in there to allow them to be covered.

 

[Superior]

I think its called bran...just the stuff you get with the mealworms. I buy mine from the petstore and they come in little containers with airholes and the bedding filled to the top.
I guess ill be switching the bran for the cricket gutload. I have never kept mealies in anything other than the container they come with, so im not sure if that would work Scoots

 

[KYUI]

This fluker's cricket gutload that you're talking about.. is that yellow?
Mine is yellow and clear. I thought that was only for water and I need to provide them with other food. I originally bought it for crickets but I put some in my mealies that I'm "thawing" to gutload for my baby tonight. Do I give the mealies other food as well? And do they burrow into that? (sorry, I can't imagine it)

 

[Bennayboi]

Thats not gutload thats water gel. Gutload consists of nutritious oats and grains and seeds and fruits/veggies.

 

[KYUI]

Ohh then mealies don't need the water gel at all? They just need the gutload?

 

[Superior]

The one im talking about is the Flunkers High-Calcium Cricket Diet
I think you have the water gel.

 

[rcobourn]

something I've been trying... putting water gel on the lid from a mealworm container. Some of it seeps through the holes in the lid, and mealworms are congregating underneath. This is also working VERY well for my superworms.

 

[Bennayboi]

Slices of potato or apple or carrot on top of the mealworm gutload will provide enough moisture and additional nutrition. Then the water gel isnt needed.

 

[Scoots85]

I've been using "Total Bites; for Feeder Insects" (they look like small, green cubes, slightly moist) for crickets. It says it provides food, water, and gutload all in one, with spirulina, vitamins, and minerals. Recommended for crickets, mealies, super worms, hissing roaches, tarantulas, and "other insects and arachnids". So I'm hoping if I sprinkle enough for mealworms to burrow into they'll dig in and munch away. Any thoughts?

 

[Bennayboi]

It could work, but it could also drown your worms.

 

[rcobourn]

something I've been trying... putting water gel on the lid from a mealworm container. Some of it seeps through the holes in the lid, and mealworms are congregating underneath. This is also working VERY well for my superworms.

Oops, I spoke too soon with regards to the superworms. One of them ate it's way through one of the small holes. Evidently he was too stupid to just go around the lip of the cover to get on top. Probably a lid with bigger holes will be necessary for the superworms.

 

[Paco]

I've been using "Total Bites; for Feeder Insects" (they look like small, green cubes, slightly moist) for crickets. It says it provides food, water, and gutload all in one, with spirulina, vitamins, and minerals. Recommended for crickets, mealies, super worms, hissing roaches, tarantulas, and "other insects and arachnids". So I'm hoping if I sprinkle enough for mealworms to burrow into they'll dig in and munch away. Any thoughts?

You do not want to do that!! You only want to put enough of the "Total bites" in with your meals so they eat them all within 1-2 days, so you don't develop any mold. This is to be used as food and water, NOT bedding.

 

[Scoots85]

You do not want to do that!! You only want to put enough of the "Total bites" in with your meals so they eat them all within 1-2 days, so you don't develop any mold. This is to be used as food and water, NOT bedding.

Thanks! What's good to use as bedding? Preferably something cheap or easily replacable.

 

[rcobourn]

Primarily bran (get it in bulk at a feed store), enriched with almost any grain (I use a cup or two of a 12 grain cereal, or some oats and rolled corn from the feed store). Some recommend adding Brewer's Yeast (find it cheap online). I also use some Flax.