Dead Mealworms

[clemsonguy1125]

Hey,
About 4 months ago I ordered 1 thousand mealworms from grubco. I had them in the fridge for a while outside but it got down to low and they started to die. I moved them inside and they were fine but some started to morph into the next stage of life. I tossed a few in the backyard into the snow. Will this kill them? I dont want them morphing and infesting my house. Also whats the best way to sort the live from the dead mealworms. I might just "relocate" the last group and start over. What would be the best solution.

 

[acpart]

Putting them in the snow will probably kill them, though, in general (as I'm sure you'll hear from other people, probably less politely than you'll hear from me) it's not a good idea to "release" any non-native creature into the wild. It's highly unlikely they will infest your house since the beetles rarely fly. Your best choices are to either put the "aliens" in the freezer and then throw them away, or to keep them and breed mealworms which will save you a bunch of money eventually. There's plenty of info on google about how to do that.

ALiza

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

The dead mealworms will be straight and turn dark.
I agree... start your own colony. You need very little space and soon you will have more than you know what to do with. :main_thumbsup:

 

[clemsonguy1125]

ok thanks, and I realize it wasnt a good idea so I defiantly wont try that again, I really didnt think that through, since its below freezing, they wont morph and will drown in the rain so I dont think that 7 or so should be a problem. I really dont want to breed them in a case a few escape, which probably will, because I read they can do structural damage to a house.
Thanks

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Hmmm... I've never heard that. I keep mine (several thousand worms plus about 500 beetles) in the plastic drawer systems you can buy at Wal*mart for $15. They don't even try and escape. I don't think they could if they did try. It hasn't been an issue, and trust me, there's no one more petrified of an infestation than me! Supers are the same. I have them breeding, too.
Now crickets on the other hand... last month I spent several days playing Rambo in my basement when I had a hole in my screening. Don't even go there! :rifle:

 

[Dog Shrink]

Don't birds eat mealworm beetles? Had they morphed to beetles or was it just the alien stage they were in? I would think they wold be thankful for the 7 or so you threw out there, but if you are worried you've been given some great advice thus far.

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Thanks for the advice. They were in thee alien stage. I just had one morph in my leos dish and was wondering if leos could eat them in case it happens again tonight.

 

[Dog Shrink]

I have fed my leo an alien or 2 and they didn't seem to bother him at all. I figure it's still a mealie just less shell kinda more like a waxie. I wouldn't make a habit of it buit I don't think one every now and again will hurt.

 

[acpart]

Good point about the birds. I guess people sell mealworms a lot to feed birds, so I take back what I said about throwing them outside.

Aliza

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Thanks, Ive thought a little about breeding but considering right now I only have 1 leo, its just cheaper and easier to buy 1,000 meal worms every 4 or so months than breed. If I get a bearded dragon I may look into breeding crickets though, Ill have to set up a few rubbermaids in the garage though.

 

[Insubordinate]

I agree... start your own colony. You need very little space and soon you will have more than you know what to do with. :main_thumbsup:

I started my own colony! I figure the more food I breed, the more mouths I can feed. :main_thumbsup:

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Im thinking about breediing crickets. I was curious about if mealworms can survive temperatures at 22 degrees so I can keep them outside. I found out that the pupae could survive over night. I am not sure if they could survive for long though. We will see. It would be good to be able to keep them in my garage rather than fridge in the winter.

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Im thinking about breediing crickets. I was curious about if mealworms can survive temperatures at 22 degrees so I can keep them outside. I found out that the pupae could survive over night. I am not sure if they could survive for long though. We will see. It would be good to be able to keep them in my garage rather than fridge in the winter.

Nope. Mealworms would die off under (I believe) 37' F.

Crickets will take much more time and effort, and they STINK! They do also need warmth to breed. You'd have to set up heat lights in the garage.

As for the birds, bluebirds LOVE mealworms, especially to feed their young in the spring. I don't know about the beetles but I do know they sell mealworm feeders!

 

[clemsonguy1125]

I had set some pupae outside in 22 degree weather and they survived over night but the rain and snow will get the ones I tossed out. I like cricket because they dont have has much chitin and are better for smaller herps. Mealworms are so cheap it not worth breeding IMO for my one gecko.
Thanks,