Mealworm Shortage

[shadowx362]

If your having a hard time finding mealworms I already posted this link. It contains all the breeders from small to large breeders so maybe you should ask the small suppliers
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/resource.html

 

[Harmurray]

I see such a large list Edgar - this includes earthworms as well. I am just curious which place you are using? I have had to use alternate feeders for the time being but really would like to get back to Mealworms.

Thanks,
Harold

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I see such a large list Edgar - this includes earthworms as well. I am just curious which place you are using? I have had to use alternate feeders for the time being but really would like to get back to Mealworms.

Thanks,
Harold

I was told by a UC Davis vet not to use earthworms due to their ability to absorb toxins from the soil. Good thing there is plenty of other food!

 

[Ccrashca069]

Also alot of that list is red worms or earth worms. I am hoping for mealworms soon. I spent double what I normally pay and don't even have the amount I usually get.

 

[Halley]

so i was thinking, maybe the shortage has been caused by genetically modified grains.

i know that they sometimes genetically modify grain so that it has a pesticide inside of it. what if that got into the food stock for mealworm breeders?

*or* maybe they just started spraying a diferant pesticide on the grain? it doesnt have to be gentically modified to still have pesticide left over.

what do you guys think?

I have never heard that genetically modified grain could hold pesticides. Do you have an article on this? That seems to be pretty interesting. I wouldn’t think that it would hold it though. To me genetically modifying something, is just getting the same results without taking as long to breed it. When you think about it even our leopard geckos are genetically modified from their original states. As well as most plants. I don’t know why adding genes, or taking away genes, to make the plant hardier, and more resistance to disease, would cause them to hold pesticides. I’m not arguing with you, I just find that strange.

Lets just hope, that we will have are feeders back soon.

 

[SteveB]

I was told by a UC Davis vet not to use earthworms due to their ability to absorb toxins from the soil. Good thing there is plenty of other food!

I breed compost worms in a high quality bedding... perfectly safe. I would agree with not feeding worms dug out from the backyard or taken from a more traditional compost bin, though.

Regardless, none of my leos like them.... I have other herps that do.

 

[HepCatMoe]

I have never heard that genetically modified grain could hold pesticides. Do you have an article on this?

yes i do

Most genetically engineered crops are modified to either tolerate the herbicide glyphosate (HT crops) or to produce their own insecticide (Bt crops), so in theory, fewer applications of pesticide on GE fields would be sufficient to take care of pests.

if you google you can find lots of stuff on it.

That seems to be pretty interesting. I wouldn’t think that it would hold it though. To me genetically modifying something, is just getting the same results without taking as long to breed it.

well that can be true, but also not true. a lot of times genetically modified organisms are created using genes from another organism.

i remember hearing about a tomato that had fish genes inserted. then the tomato produced an oil that prevented it from freezing and getting frost damage. there is probably no way that the tomato could have been bred to produce fish oil.

When you think about it even our leopard geckos are genetically modified from their original states. As well as most plants. I don’t know why adding genes, or taking away genes, to make the plant hardier, and more resistance to disease, would cause them to hold pesticides. I’m not arguing with you, I just find that strange.

i do not think its the same at all. its true in evolution sometimes random mutations can prove beneficial, and that can be *kind of* the same as adding genes. but switching genes from one organism to another is not the same.

yes, our geckos and the vegetables we eat is "genetically modiefied" from its original state, but that was done with selective breeding. definately not the same as genetic engineering.

i dont really have a moral problem with genetic engineering, its just that it could have unintended consequences. of course that last sentance could be true about anything a person does, even say building a house. but genetically modifying food seems a bit more drastic.

Lets just hope, that we will have are feeders back soon.

i definately do hope that.

 

[Kristi23]

I'm not sure if this is the reason, but I have noticed that all the mealworms I've bought in the last month or so don't last as long. I've had large numbers dying and not one single one has pupated. They're just not the same as they were a few months ago when I was getting them. Maybe it's just a coincidence (sp?), but it seems strange.

Most of mine refuse to eat superworms, so I really hope I can keep finding mealworms locally for now. I just ordered more silkworms, but only a few will eat them.

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I'm not sure if this is the reason, but I have noticed that all the mealworms I've bought in the last month or so don't last as long. I've had large numbers dying and not one single one has pupated. They're just not the same as they were a few months ago when I was getting them. Maybe it's just a coincidence (sp?), but it seems strange.

Most of mine refuse to eat superworms, so I really hope I can keep finding mealworms locally for now. I just ordered more silkworms, but only a few will eat them.

This is where Calcium Plus (latest Repashy version) or T-Rex leo supplement works well, it has a scent the leos are attracted to and they will usually strike at whatever you put it on.

You can always feed 3 or 4 week old crickets.

 

[Kristi23]

I feed dusted roaches to most of my geckos. I just have some that won't eat anything but mealworms (dusted). I'm sure we'll be fine, it's just a pain. I wish we would have bred mealworms, too. Luckily I've been able to buy some at the local stores still.

 

[Arctic16]

Ugh so I resorted to buying crickets today since none of the store I went to had mealworms. I also got a jar of dried mealworms that look exactly like the real deal hopefully my gecko will eat them even though they won't be squirming.

Last but not least, I also got a tub of 20 large mealworms (I think they're superworms or whatever). My gecko is about 5 to 6 inches long and about 5 months old, and the worms are maybe 1.5 to 2 inches long. Should I not even try to feed them to him? Are they too big? Could I cut them in half? Any responses are greatly appreciated.

 

[Halley]

I'm not sure if this is the reason, but I have noticed that all the mealworms I've bought in the last month or so don't last as long. I've had large numbers dying and not one single one has pupated. They're just not the same as they were a few months ago when I was getting them. Maybe it's just a coincidence (sp?), but it seems strange.

I have noticed the same thing

My gecko is about 5 to 6 inches long and about 5 months old, and the worms are maybe 1.5 to 2 inches long. Should I not even try to feed them to him? Are they too big? Could I cut them in half? Any responses are greatly appreciated.

Post a pic, of the gecko, and the worm, that would help. Normally, I will not feed a prey item to a gecko, unless it can fit in-between their eyes. Otherwise they might choke.

 

[Arctic16]

Here is Hobbes and one of the small snakes that pass for worms hehe. Let me know if they're too big.

 

[Halley]

He should be able to eat those. Now it just depends on rather or not he likes them.

 

[Arctic16]

Thanks so much for your advice Halley. Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[Fanner]

My female will not eat those super worms:main_no: . My male goes crazy for them, though so he might just like them :main_yes:

 

[Arctic16]

So it's alright to feed her them even though she's not full grown?

 

[acpart]

I have fed geckos that size (as far as I can tell from the picture) mealworms. It's worth a try.

Aliza

 

[shadowx362]

sorry harold for not responding fast enough. I get them from Bond worms thought a small petstore in Modesto 209) 537-2423, Fax (209) 537-3142

 

[ssscales]

Our adults take Superworms on occasions and have no trouble taking a few that size.