Gutloading question

[LeopardShade]

When you gutload your feeders, mealworms in my case, will uneaten gutload (I use carrots, lettuce, apples, shredded carrots, green beans, etc) mold if it is refrigerated? Should I ensure that all gutload is eaten and/or it is all removed before I refrigerate the mealworms?

 

[scm133]

I leave them out with veggies for 24 hours. Then remove all food, before refrigerating them. I repeat this every 1-2 weeks.

 

[Desdemona]

going to hijack.. but does anyone know if the worms digest food while they are in the fridge? I gutload after I take them out, but it would be interesting to know.

 

[scm133]

They go into a dormant state in the refrigerator. So, no..they do not eat or digest any food.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

When you gutload your feeders, mealworms in my case, will uneaten gutload (I use carrots, lettuce, apples, shredded carrots, green beans, etc) mold if it is refrigerated? Should I ensure that all gutload is eaten and/or it is all removed before I refrigerate the mealworms?

It will mold and cause the substrate to mold as well. Easiest way to deal with that I've found, is to leave out a week's worth of worms at a time and keep them fed. When replacing those, feed a good sized chunk of veg to the fridge container for 24 hours, take that out and feed to the ones that stay out, container back in the fridge.

 

[reptileking]

Hey, When you put the Meal worms in the fridge they won't turn into beetles? Will they stay as Meal worms?

 

[Pinky81]

Hey, When you put the Meal worms in the fridge they won't turn into beetles? Will they stay as Meal worms?

If you mealworms are in the fridge they are in essence "sleeping" so no they should NOT morph into Aliens and then into beetles.

Agreed to all the above remove fresh foods when placing them in the fridge. I also take out a couple of weeks worth of worms to feed while the rest are rotated in the fridge. I do also breed my own feeders so if some do morph into aliens its all good for me as those will continue the breeding process for me. For those who don't breed feeders I would suggest as Laney says a weeks worth at a time out...making sure to give atleast 24hours to warm up and gutload prior to feeding.