Superworm Gutload Problem

[Haligren]

I've been using Fluker's gutload for about a year now and had always suspected that my superworms weren't eating it. I would sprinkle some on their carrots and orange peels as well as the bedding itself, but every month when I change the bedding there's a ton of it on the bottom. I also noticed recently when I sprinkled some on some carrots, one side of the carrot was thoroughly chewed, but the side with the gutload wasn't even touched.

So now I'm stuck with a jar full of this stuff and I'm almost positive that for whatever reason they are not eating it. The list of ingredients doesn't seem to be anything they wouldn't normally eat or that would harm them (obviously I wouldn't be using it), but the jar does specifically state it's for crickets - which crickets DO love that stuff.

I was wondering what other people use for superworm gutload? And would it be worth it to purchase an approved superworm mix from, say, an online store? It seems affordable enough as most places have a superworm mix for about $8.00 a gallon.

 

[Tony C]

Is it the high calcium stuff? If so insects will avoid it like the plague, as the calcium will kill them within about 48 hours. The only way they will eat it is if it is the only available food. Gutloading is mostly voodoo anyway, just keep them on wheat/oat/whatever bran bedding and feed veggie scraps.

 

[Haligren]

Oh good grief! It IS high-calcium! :B Jeez, I feel pretty stupid now. lol I didn't realize they wouldn't eat it because of the calcium. Well at least I've got plenty of it for crickets (although I read that they don't last long eating calcium-rich food) but I don't buy a lot of them at one time.

I'll have to make my own superworm gutload/bedding then, I guess. Thank you so much for clearing that up!