2-3,000 Mealies

[Mizliz]

So.... my lab ran an abundance estimate experiment using meal worms as our 'range animal' and I just happened to mention my beardie and ended up with a couple thousand mealworms in my possession. :shock: Mr. Lizard loves his mealies, but I have no idea what to do with this many! How long will they last if I place them in breathable containers with some fruit in the fridge? Also, has anyone ever dehydrated meal worms? Thanks!

 

[12ccox]

Don't feed your beardie mealworms!!!!! They can't digest them properly! But if you must know they last for a few weeks if you throw a few greens in everyday, but the smell gets worse the longer you keep them for!

 

[Mizliz]

They don't provide much nutritional content but as long as you realize this and don't feed them a large amount at a time they pass through a healthy lizards digestive system just fine. I don't feed them often which is why I'm looking for ideas :wink: Not sure what to do with all the little buggers!

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree with you that they don't offer much nutrition but shouldn't cause much issue in limited amounts as part of a balanced diet. I'm not sure what I'd do with so many of them though. If you have a dubia colony perhaps you could use some of them as cleaner crew. Not sure how effective they'd be though.

 

[Mizliz]

I was actually just looking at taterbug's dubia/super/springtail setup and thinking about pulling together resources to do that, but I still think I would have left overs! Ha. Maybe between that and feeding some to Mr. Lizard I can put them to use

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah she's got a really good setup. I was thinking along those lines too though I agree that 2-3k is still an awful lot of them. If your main tank is big enough you may be able to set up a bioactive substrate like she has too and use some more of them.

 

[Mizliz]

I do have bioactive Almost.... couldn't get my first batch of springtails to propagate, so I've either got to buy some springtails and more isopods or wait until the snow is gone here :roll: I've just never put more than 60 in my tank at once, I'm not sure how many I can get away with without them going nuts lol

 

[Taterbug]

Birds like to eat them too, if you end up just trying to figure out what to do with them your neighborhood birds may appreciate a winter bug snack.

I had the best luck with local springtails in the beardies enclosure. It doesn't stay damp enoto go for tropical ones. I'd love to see your enclosure

 

[DaisyDragon123]

If the mealworms are clean and safe for consumption I would look up a stir fry recipe for insects and eat them or candy them in homemade chocolate squares, like a rice crispy.

 

[Mizliz]

Great idea daisydragon! That would definitely be interesting to try, and they say insect protein is going to be the next big thing

Tater also great idea! If it comes down to it I at least will know they'll go to good use! Is there a threat/post for bioactive? I have a large log and brought in leaves and litter I just haven't had much springtail action from it unfortunately

 

[DaisyDragon123]

I have tried to find retailers who sale insects deemed safe for human consumption but all I find are novelty items such as ranch, cheddar dusted crickets or crickets encased in a big block of chocolate. I don't care for the roasted crickets because the legs get stuck in your teeth. But I am ready to incorporate insects into my diet but it's a hard sale for westerners. I've tried to be vegetarian and it lasted for six months. I have seen hog farms and chicken farms up close, and in my opinion, it is their hell on earth. Since I can't cut it being vegetarian I though insects would be appropriate since they are a lower life form that may not suffer as.much being mass produced.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Don't feed your beardie mealworms!!!!! They can't digest them properly! But if you must know they last for a few weeks if you throw a few greens in everyday, but the smell gets worse the longer you keep them for!

They are OK as a treat , NOT as their STAPLE food insect.
The pupae and beetles are also regarded by my lizards as yummy treats too.