How should I keep mealworms and waxworms

[skyline]

I have two questions. 1 can i keep waxworms and mealworms in the same container. and 2 what substrate should I use for the mealworms and waxworms to dig in?


Thanks TY

 

[Ccrashca069]

You should keep them seperate. When you buy both at the store they have them in wood shavings with some grains mixed in for them to eat.

 

[david13]

I think lots of people put them on oatmeal..(dry)

 

[blizzard]

i use oats and whole grain cereal with carrots in a container for the mealies and keep them in the fridge. my leo seems to like them.

 

[TokayKeeper]

from the paper I posted below....

Wax moth larvae also may serve as a source of live food for animals in captivity. Methods for
improving their calcium content and calcium-phosphorus ratio have been described.2 A mixture of
honey (12 ml), high protein baby cereal (21.3 g), calcium carbonate (5.7 g), glycerol (10 ml), and
water (4 ml) may be prepared. The container in which the diet and wax moth larvae are kept should
provide for air circulation. Glass jars with cheese cloth tops and plastic cottage cheese-type containers
with air holes punched in the top, in addition to a number of other creative containers, have been used
successfully. Although not mentioned in the original publication, the mixture should occasionally (on
alternate days) be agitated to prevent caking of the larvae in the diet.

 

[ALGeckos]

You should keep mealworms and waxworms separate. The wood shavings don't have any nutritional value, so I suggest separating the worms out into another smooth-sided container with the bedding and water source suggested below. HOWEVER, waxworms are a different story, so see my notes below. Remember, gutloaded mealies are what boosts your geckos nutrition and keeps them healthy and full.

Mealworms - Any mixture of oatmeal, wheat or oat bran, or cornmeal. When I used to make the bedding myself, I would blend those together with a little bit of calcium powder and pour them into the container. Now, I use Cody's ProGutload because it saves me a lot of time and effort (plus it's good for them!). For moisture, you can use carrots, apple slices, or potato slices. I use baby carrots since they're fairly thick, dry on the outside, and don't mold as quickly as potatoes do (that's just what I observed before, but it could be different for everyone). Make sure you change the moisture source when you notice it drying out and change the bedding after a month or two. Keep the container in a dimly lit and cool room or storage area since they don't like bright lights and can die if it gets too hot. If you want them to hibernate to last longer, you can stick them in the fridge, but make sure you take them out 24 hours prior to feeding so that they can gutload and be nutritionally ready for your gecko to eat.

Waxworms - A lot of people have told me that you can keep these on the wood shavings in the fridge until an hour prior to feeding so they can "wake up". That's it. So, I did some research and I found this: To make the food, you can use many different recipes. The simplest is to blend baby cereal, honey, hot water and a teaspoon of cooking glycerin in a food processor until the baby food is clumpy yet somewhat moist. Bee pollen can be added for extra health benefits. Add to bottom of waxworm container and add worms. Place a few clean twigs in the container. The container should be kept in a warm place. (source: http://www.chameleonsdish.com/insects/waxworms.htm). People still suggest the wood shavings for waxies, so I suppose it's up to you and how you want these worms to nutritionally supplement your geckos.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Mealworms-Ground Grains. Container that will not allow them to get more then 3/4" from the bottom on the container. This will prevent suffocation.

Waxworms-Wood Shavings. A ratio of more bedding than worms.