Superworm Set-Up

[ClarkeReptiles]

I didn't post an intro, but I promise I will!

Not too long ago I found out my little leo girl, Sol, really love superworms. So I figured I'd try and breed them for her, (and I also plan on getting more leos, so having a good supply of feeders would be a good idea.)

I just purchased a 50ct container of superworms (but I'm sure there are less than 50) from work. I have successfully gotten a few from previous containers to pupate into beetles but once they become adult beetles, they usually die pretty soon. I was feeding them on old fashioned rolled oats. Is there something else I should be feeding them on? And I gave them carrots or potato for moisture.

I have a drawer unit that I plan on using to house the worms and beetles in. The middle drawer I will use to put the pupating beetles in. I know they won't pupate while with other beetles, so I have pill boxes to separate them into. Does it matter if it's clear, or should it be opaque? I kept worms I wanted to pupate in the dark. Is this a good idea or is light okay?

Any help would be wonderful. I will also be working on a mealworm colony and looking into trying other feeders on her. So far I've been feeding her crickets, mealworms and superworms. I'm sure there are plenty others to try. Dubias being one of them.

Thanks!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Your best bet is to order a quantity of about 500 online, they are better quality than what is available in retail outlets. A lot is needed to start out as it takes about 6 months to have a good productive colony of feeder size worms available. This would give you enough to feed your gecko while you grow baby worms up. If you use a drawer system, make SURE you have a deep drawer for adult worms or they will escape. I like using wheat bran for substrate, it's more cost efficient for a good size breeding colony. It can be purchased in the equine section of feed stores for around $10 (25# bag) and lasts a long time. Air circulation is very important to keep mold from growing and destroying your worms. Beetles live and lay eggs for about 8 months, and it takes a while to grow up 100 or so beetles from the worm, so you will want to be almost constantly pulling out large worms to pupate as a space in your pillbox is available. I feed my beetles carrot chunks, and worms get any vegetable or fruits I can get a good deal on. Citrus is big where I live so a friend gave me a few bags full of grapefruit, supers love them

 

[ClarkeReptiles]

Thank you so much for the info. I'll definitely look for the wheat bran next time I go to the store. I just had tons of the oats to use up. Now its gone so I switch to the wheat bran. I'll find out how deep the drawers are.

Oh and another quick question. How many superworms should she be eating in a day? Right now she's eating about 3 a day, several times a week. She is 38g (a slow grower).

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Three worms a day, several times a week is good. Sometimes they eat more than other times.