Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms Reptile Food, Giant, 100 count

These meal worms can be bred and raised. You can start with as few as 150 live mealworms, but it is recommended starting off with at least 500.

Add about ½ cup of fresh (raw) vegetables to your mealworm storage container for feeding. Cut raw potatoes and raw carrots into 1 inch x 3 inches pieces and spread throughout the container for the mealworms. The mealworms may pull the food under the bedding to eat it, which is completely normal. Some moisture is necessary for the mealworms to drink. While the raw vegetables contain some moisture, it is best to add more by using Thirsty Cricket (gel water source). To gut load, mix Mealworm Chow in with the Mealworm Keeper at a 1:9 ratio (1/3 cup of Chow per 3 cups Keeper).

The duration of the life cycle will depend on the temperature the mealworms are stored. If all goes well, you should have mealworms to use as feeders within about 3 months. The mealworm will stay in the larvae stage for about 4-6 weeks. The duration of the pupa stage usually lasts around 1-3 weeks. Once the pupa turns into an adult beetle it will reproduce and lay eggs until the life cycle ends and the beetle dies. With this being stated, mealworms are constantly growing in size due to being in the larva stage. Colder temperatures will help to prolong the larva from turning into Pupa.

Upon arrival, transfer the worms from the bag to a breathable smooth-sided storage container and place in the refrigerator. Meal worms will last approximately 4 weeks refrigerated.