Keeping mealies alive in the fridge

[Chewbecca]

I have found with the last 2-3 orders of mealies I've gotten, they all arrive alive (for the most part), but I put them into their gut-load containers, let them gut-load for 2 days or so, pull out what I need for feeding, then I put the rest in the fridge.

They end up dying usually by the second or third time of being refrigerated.
I don't get it.

My fridge temps are normal, and it's not like they're out of the fridge for a loooong time before I put them back in.

The ONLY thing I can think of is that the containers they are gut-loaded in (and put into the fridge in) have ventilation holes cut out of the top. Maybe that has something to do with them dying???


Do you guys think that if I only pulled out what I needed to feed, and gut-loaded them for 2 days or so before feeding them, and put the rest back into the fridge in the container they came in, that I'd have more success at keeping my mealies alive?

 

[crestedgeckogirly]

Are you taking them out of the fridge every couple weeks and allowing them to thaw out and eat?

It's been awhile before I've kept my mealworms in the fridge, but when I did I know it was important that they were allowed to warm up and hydrate/eat every couple weeks. Not sure if that helps or not.

They're super easy to breed though...so, I don't put mine in the fridge anymore and just let them do there thing....and I have TONS.

Hope that helps.

-Andrea

 

[Chewbecca]

Yes, I let them thaw and eat occasionally.:main_yes:

I do not want to breed them as it's more work than I care to put into it, and I don't much care for the beetles.

 

[crestedgeckogirly]

Yes, I let them thaw and eat occasionally.:main_yes:

I have no idea then :main_huh:

I do not want to breed them as it's more work than I care to put into it, and I don't much care for the beetles.

All I do is throw in some veggies when I have leftovers, but I totally understand.

Now, if you don't like those beetles, I bet you REALLY hate superworm beetles! I admit they creep me out a bit!

-Andrea

 

[Kristi23]

I don't refridgerate them anymore at all. I used to and I lost about 1/4 of them. As long as they're not getting close to changing, they should last awhile at room temp for you.

Remind me (seriously because I'll forget) and I'll bring you some when I come over. I have too many right now and I just gave my husband some to bring to someone at work.

 

[Chewbecca]

Thank you crestedgeckogirly!
I just do not wish to keep them.

I don't refridgerate them anymore at all. I used to and I lost about 1/4 of them. As long as they're not getting close to changing, they should last awhile at room temp for you.

Remind me (seriously because I'll forget) and I'll bring you some when I come over. I have too many right now and I just gave my husband some to bring to someone at work.

Aw, thank you, Kristi!
I don't normally feed mealies (mainly because I have this horrid luck with them), but I'm getting Piper soon, and I'm getting the little one from you, and both geckos currently eat mealies.
So, I need to have some on hand.

I didn't use to have this kind of luck with keeping them, but the past 2-3 times I've ordered them, I cannot keep them alive.
And I just do not know why.

 

[acpart]

I haven't had much luck keeping mine in the fridge either and have given up. I think that even fridges that have "normal" temperatures can vary a bit. It may be that the temps in our fridges are just a bit too cold for it to be successful.

Aliza

 

[kiwigecko]

The temperature in my fridge is set to 40F and I accidentally froze 1/2 of my waxworms once... :main_rolleyes::main_thumbsdown: