Mealworm questions

[bitterbeauty]

Okay so I have been picking out the mealworms that are too big for my baby gecks and putting them in another container. So I decided that I should try and start a colony and breed them since they will probably die/change before I can use them. So I have a few newbie questions.

1. If a mealworm is really dark colored and hard/ not moving is it dead? or changing?

2. I am using ground up oatmeal, calcium, gutload, fish food flakes for bedding. Any comments or suggestions?

3 Should I apply heat to the container I am trying to start my colony in?

Thanks Guys! I know I ask alot of questions....I wanna do things right! lol

 

[david13]

1. Dead
2. Sounds good, i just use oatmeal
3. I don't apply heat, my room temp. is usually 75-79, i think the temps are supposed to be between 70-80.....key words: i think

good luck

 

[bitterbeauty]

Thanks David!

(I figured they were dead just didnt wanna throw them out until I got a second opinion lol)

 

[david13]

your welcome,
(better safe then sorry)

 

[Alusdra]

Yeah- black is very dead. Even when they start being a darker brown that's unhealthy/dying/dead.

Anywho- room temp is ok, though in the winter I tend to stick a heat pad under them or they all go into hibernation (like in the fridge- another option for mealworm storage).