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How to Take Care of Meal Worms

Mealworms are the larval stage of the small darkling beetle. Mealworms are most commonly used as a nutritious source of food for captive amphibians and reptiles, as well as some captive or wild birds. Though mealworms are sold in a roasted, dry state, most animals will only eat the living insects. Because of this, many pet owners choose to raise and care for their own mealworms.

Things You'll Need

Plastic container with lid
Potato or apple wedge
Wheat bran or oats
High-protein cereal

Instructions

- 1
  Create a home for the mealworms using a plastic container with a secure lid. Make sure to poke small ventilation holes in the lid. The size of the container will depend on the number or mealworms you'll be keeping. For 1,000 mealworms, a container the size of a shoe box should suffice. If you are only keeping a few mealworms, the container can be much smaller.
- 2
  Cover the bottom of the plastic container with an inch of oat or wheat bran and crushed high-protein cereal mixed together. This creates both a bedding and a food source.
- 3
  Slice an apple or potato and add it to the enclosure. Place the fruit or vegetable on a small piece of paper towel or newspaper to prevent the bedding from absorbing moisture, and replace the apple or potato weekly as mold begins to set in.
- 4
  Place mealworms in the container. If you plan to keep the mealworms in their larval stage, refrigerate them. If you are allowing them to grow into beetles, they should be kept at room temperature.
- 5
  Replace the bedding and paper towel once a month, and dispose of any waste material and dead mealworms. Replace the potato or apple as needed.

Insects & Science