Mealworm & Superworm Care

Guide to Maintaining Your Mealworms and Superworms for Pet Feeding

Thank you for purchasing our premium feeder insects. To guarantee that your mealworms and superworms stay healthy and nutritious for your pets, it's crucial to maintain the right environment until you're ready to use them for feeding. Here's how to care for your feeder insects without the intention of breeding.

1. Temporary Housing

Mealworms & Superworms:

• Use a shallow, smooth-sided container like a plastic tub or critter keeper. Ensure it's large enough to hold your insects without crowding them.
• Although these insects won't be with you long, they need bedding material for food, comfort and security. Do not place worms into an empty container without bedding!

2. Short-term Nutrition and Water

• Your insects are part of your pet's diet, so their health is vital. Offer fresh slices of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or apples every couple of days. These serve as a water source and provide additional nutrients, making the worms more nutritious for your pets.
• Don't leave uneaten fruits and vegetables in the container for more than 24 hours to avoid mold growth, which can be harmful to the insects.

3. Keeping the Right Temperature

Mealworms:

• For a short lifespan until they're fed to your pet, mealworms can be stored in a refrigerator at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), which keeps them dormant and extends their life.

Superworms:

• Superworms should be kept at room temperature, ideally between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-27 degrees Celsius). They shouldn't be refrigerated, as the cold temperature can kill them.

4. Basic Maintenance

• While cleaning the container might not be necessary if the worms are used quickly, it’s important to remove any uneaten vegetables, fruits, or deceased worms daily.
• Check on the worms regularly to ensure they are still viable as feeders. They should be wriggly and look healthy.

5. Preparing for Feeding

• When it's feeding time, you might opt to 'gut load' your worms 24 hours before offering them to your pet. This process involves feeding the worms a nutritious diet so they can pass these nutrients onto your pet.
• Never feed your pets dead or sick-looking worms. Not only are they less nutritious, but they could also potentially harm your pet's health.

6. Handling Your Feeder Insects

• Handle the worms as little as possible, and when you do, be gentle. Rough handling can harm the worms, making them less nutritious, or kill them.
• Use a soft brush or spoon to transfer the worms if needed. It's also a good practice to wash your hands before and after handling the feeders to prevent the spread of bacteria.

By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your feeder mealworms and superworms are in the best possible condition, providing optimal nutrition for your pets. If you encounter any issues or have questions, please feel free to reach out to our customer service team. Your pet's health and satisfaction are our top priorities!