Gut-Loading/Vitamins

[WickedTruth]

What is the best way to gut-load my mealies? I got a pretty bad batch from the store (as it appears that a lot are already dead). I was going to take them out a while before feeding and feed the mealies but I'm not entirely sure the best way to go about this. What do I use to gut-load them? And how early should they be removed from the fridge? The ones that I have seem rather lethargic and it slightly worries me because I don't want them to die off before my baby leo gets around to munching on them. Also, for my little guy should I be powdering the food every day, or just a few times a week? Thanks so much!

 

[roger]

What is the best way to gut-load my mealies? I got a pretty shitty batch from the store (as it appears that a lot are already dead). I was going to take them out a while before feeding and feed the mealies but I'm not entirely sure the best way to go about this. What do I use to gut-load them? And how early should they be removed from the fridge? The ones that I have seem rather lethargic and it slightly worries me because I don't want them to die off before my baby leo gets around to munching on them. Also, for my little guy should I be powdering the food every day, or just a few times a week? Thanks so much!

First off using profanity is against forum rules.Do not put meal worms in the fridge they'll die at least mine do.Gut load them with some wheat bran or oats with a slice of carrot for moisture.I powder daily with straight calcium.I powder with a multi vitamin once a week and I powder once a month with calcium with D3

 

[WickedTruth]

First off using profanity is against forum rules.Do not put meal worms in the fridge they'll die at least mine do.Gut load them with some wheat bran or oats with a slice of carrot for moisture.I powder daily with straight calcium.I powder with a multi vitamin once a week and I powder once a month with calcium with D3

Oh wow that totally slipped my notice. I apoligize, I didn't even realize I had until you mentioned it =( I fixed it, lol. If I keep them at room temperature won't they change? My little guy only eats like 5, so they last a little while. I'm just worried about them not staying little tiny worms.

Thanks for the help!

 

[leogecko88]

They must be kept in the fridge if you want them to stay small. The worms grow very quickly and turn into beetles if not kept in the fridge.

 

[prettyinpink]

They do not die if you put them in the fridge... As the above poster stated they will grow into adults very very fast if you don't. As the container says from the petstore 'store in the fridge'

You should take a look at some of the caresheets here, they talk about supplementation. Most of us all do different things
http://geckoforums.net/articles.php?c=115

Hope this helps! :main_thumbsup:

 

[fuzzylogix]

if you have to buy worms from a store, make sure you open the container first and verify they are alive and healthy. back before i bred my own worms, i had several instances where i opened the tubs in the store and they were all dead and rotted. the smell was horrible. if you are only feeding one or just a few leos, then just leave them in the fridge until 24 hours before feeding time. i feed mine carrots, apple slices, potato, and some romaine lettuce cores. their substrate is a mix of ground oats, chick feed, and wheat bran. i always put extras in the fridge just in case i get mold or something bad happens just as a backup. i have some that have been in my fridge for about 3 months now and are just fine. i feed my leos every 3 days during winter months and dust every feeding with repashy super cal plus which includes all the calcium and supplements in one powder. and just fyi, meal worms do just fine in the fridge, its superworms that will die the fridge.

 

[GeckoGurl]

I agree with the above... I have always kept mine in the fridge and I also use repashy super cal plus... with this stuff I dust at every feeding... now if you are using plain calcium (in tank or dusting) then I would at least dust once a week with a multi vitamin

 

[WickedTruth]

if you have to buy worms from a store, make sure you open the container first and verify they are alive and healthy. back before i bred my own worms, i had several instances where i opened the tubs in the store and they were all dead and rotted. the smell was horrible. if you are only feeding one or just a few leos, then just leave them in the fridge until 24 hours before feeding time. i feed mine carrots, apple slices, potato, and some romaine lettuce cores. their substrate is a mix of ground oats, chick feed, and wheat bran. i always put extras in the fridge just in case i get mold or something bad happens just as a backup. i have some that have been in my fridge for about 3 months now and are just fine. i feed my leos every 3 days during winter months and dust every feeding with repashy super cal plus which includes all the calcium and supplements in one powder. and just fyi, meal worms do just fine in the fridge, its superworms that will die the fridge.

Thank you ^.^ That was incredibly helpful, lol.

I was just worried because the mealworms I have been giving my little guy aren't very active and I keep questioning whether or not they are healthy. I have provided them some gerber oatmeal and carrots and the ones that are currently feeding do the same thing. So, I'm not sure what else to do to get them to liven up?

 

[roger]

They do not die if you put them in the fridge... As the above poster stated they will grow into adults very very fast if you don't. As the container says from the petstore 'store in the fridge'

You should take a look at some of the caresheets here, they talk about supplementation. Most of us all do different things
http://geckoforums.net/articles.php?c=115

Hope this helps! :main_thumbsup:

HHmm anytime i put mealies in the fridge they die in my experience.I need to maybe turn down my cold setting a little

 

[Fencer04]

HHmm anytime i put mealies in the fridge they die in my experience.I need to maybe turn down my cold setting a little

Are you sure that you aren't using superworms? They are a different species of worm and will die if put in the fridge. They also last a ton longer before metamorphosis. Also, as the name implies, they are larger than meal worms.

 

[prettyinpink]

Roger- I've never had mine die before...maybe you made a mistake and thought they were dead? Because they kind of look dead when you take them out, they don't normally move until they warm up a little. Just thinking

 

[Desdemona]

huh, I had superworms in the fridge and they seemed fine. I put them in the door where it's usually a little warmer. I bought them not knowing the difference between super and mealies. Mind you I did have some dead ones, but I also have some dead mealies. Most lived. I do roaches now, but at least I'll know for the future if I decide to give them a "treat" or end up with a anti-roach gecko.

When trying to figure out who was alive or dead I would tickle their legs. Usually their legs will move, even a little, if tickled.

 

[tastyworms]

As Desdemona implied, fridge temperatures vary. What works for one person may not work for another. It's best just not to put superworms in the fridge, unless you really don't care about them dying. Most fridges blow below freezing air around. The thermostat shuts it off to keep the fridge above freezing, but depending on the packing and location in the fridge they do have the ability to get to a temp that will kill them.

 

[Imperial Geckos]

if you have to buy worms from a store, make sure you open the container first and verify they are alive and healthy. back before i bred my own worms, i had several instances where i opened the tubs in the store and they were all dead and rotted. the smell was horrible. if you are only feeding one or just a few leos, then just leave them in the fridge until 24 hours before feeding time. i feed mine carrots, apple slices, potato, and some romaine lettuce cores. their substrate is a mix of ground oats, chick feed, and wheat bran. i always put extras in the fridge just in case i get mold or something bad happens just as a backup. i have some that have been in my fridge for about 3 months now and are just fine. i feed my leos every 3 days during winter months and dust every feeding with repashy super cal plus which includes all the calcium and supplements in one powder. and just fyi, meal worms do just fine in the fridge, its superworms that will die the fridge.

How are you keeping them in the fridge (just how you stated above??, what size container, and how many)? And at what temperature? I havnt had such amazing luck with mealworms in my fridge.

Thanks in advance! :main_thumbsup:

 

[WickedTruth]

How are you keeping them in the fridge (just how you stated above??, what size container, and how many)? And at what temperature? I havnt had such amazing luck with mealworms in my fridge.

Thanks in advance! :main_thumbsup:

I keep mine in a little mini-fridge in the door. The temp setting is on 3. They seem to be doing fine. They don't move around much cold but when I take them out before feedings to get them ready they start moving around quite a bit.

 

[fuzzylogix]

How are you keeping them in the fridge (just how you stated above??, what size container, and how many)? And at what temperature? I havnt had such amazing luck with mealworms in my fridge.

Thanks in advance! :main_thumbsup:

i keep them in unpunched 8 oz solo deli cups and have them wrapped in paper towels inside the cup. no worm chow or anything, just paper towels. i currently have 3 cups in there now and each is holding about 50 or so mealies. i decided to try this method after losing an entire 500 count colony to mold and had no backups. they are in my "beer" fridge in my utility room, and i have it set to 38 degrees. they are set up in the door. i will take one or two out every two weeks to make sure they are still alive and kicking, so far so good.

 

[roger]

Are you sure that you aren't using superworms? They are a different species of worm and will die if put in the fridge. They also last a ton longer before metamorphosis. Also, as the name implies, they are larger than meal worms.

Yes Im aware of the difference.I think my fridge is too cold,thats the problem

 

[Fencer04]

I figured you did, just wanted to check. My wife likes the fridge really cold so I had a problem with about 30% of what I ordered dying. That's most of the reason I decided to raise my own colony.

 

[Desdemona]

So, since vitamins were brought up,
Why do some people not use the cal with D3 on a daily or weekly basis (depending on age)? Do Leos not digest the D3 well? All of the D3 info I know is based on humans and I know it's a serious + vitamin for us. Do they need less as nocturnal animals maybe?