Best Worm Staple

[thejets]

Hello all! I've been feeding dusted crickets as a staple for all of Benny's life, but I think I'd much rather use worms. I was wondering which types of worms would be best used as a staple. I'm looking at price, nutrition content, and availability as factors. I'm not interested in starting my own colony but I also don't want to spend all my money buying worms! I live in Michigan so if anyone could recommend a supplier that would be really helpful as well!

 

[midmichicer]

Check out http://www.greatlakeshornworm.com they are local for us Michiganders. They sell supers and Hornworms. Repti-worms are another option, but expensive.

 

[Claudiusx]

If i could raise my dragons on one worm tell adulthood, it would be silkworms. But they are kinda expensive, so I don't lol.

-Brandon

 

[thejets]

Are hornworms a good staple though? Those are the most convenient for me because my local pet store actually sells them so I could get some if I were in a pinch between deliveries. I have already been feeding them from time to time just for some variety so I know she likes them, but they do charge a dollar a worm there which seems a lot

 

[Sherri]

No, horns are not a good main staple feeder...wish they were! LOL

I agree with Brandon (or is it Branodn? :mrgreen: ) I would feed silks if $ were never an issue....and, if Razz liked them. He hates them, but they are the best worm.

I personally feel that Butterworms run a close 2nd to silks, but others do not agree and I still have not found out for certain why not LOL Also costly. But they are high in calcium, low in fat and are pretty decent on protein as well.

The cheapest are the supers I believe, but again, not the *best* staple.

Sorry, not much help!

Of course variety is best anyway, but are you set on using worms as a staple? Any chance you would or could breed roaches?
Or order them as staple feeders? Just checking b/c they are great feeders as well.

~Sherri

 

[blue11]

ReptiWorms are a wonderful staple and you dont have to calcium dust them. They are full of natural calcium
They are easy to keep, and they dont crawl out of most food bowls! Basically they are Black Soldier Fly Larvae (ummmmm....maggots? but i dont think of them way!!! lol, they are really great) i get mine at
http://www.reptiworms.com
and they usually ship out on a Monday and come to the door by Wednesday
I also use small Superworms in combination with the ReptiWorms. Supers are CRAZY EASY to keep. i do dust them with calcium and a mulitvitamin.
Blue is now totally cricket free
GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Claudiusx]

I agree with Brandon (or is it Branodn? :mrgreen: )

~Sherri

Wow you too Sherri? I thought we were best buds :mrgreen:

Sheesh, just when I thought it was lost and forgotten lol. Just wait tell you mess up sherri :twisted:

-Brandon

 

[Sherri]

I agree with Brandon (or is it Branodn? :mrgreen: )

~Sherri

Wow you too Sherri? I thought we were best buds :mrgreen:

Sheesh, just when I thought it was lost and forgotten lol. Just wait tell you mess up sherri :twisted:

-Brandon

:mrgreen: Oh, great, now I have to be extra cautious about typos! I need to hire a proof reader :roll: :help:

~Sherri

 

[herpgirl2510]

for my babies I use reptiworms, silk, butter, and hornworms as a staple I just rotate different ones each day. I have to say though that superworms are Rosie's favorite but that is all her owner fed her so I am trying to mix it up.

 

[thejets]

Thanks everyone! I'd most prefer to keep the dubia personally but my mom is dead set against them :roll: I'll probably start ordering a few different kinds to see what she likes to narrow it down and use a variety so she stays interested

 

[emilykay405]

Thanks everyone! I'd most prefer to keep the dubia personally but my mom is dead set against them :roll: I'll probably start ordering a few different kinds to see what she likes to narrow it down and use a variety so she stays interested

That's what I've started doing. Mulberry Farms has a couple of post paid packages of silkworm and hornworm combos that I use....they also have butters too.

For my babies/juvies I use Repti-Worms and will use them until the day they refuse to eat them. The problem with ReptiWorms is that to get them at a good price you have to order thousands...which means keeping them cold...which means getting a mini-fridge that stays at about 55 degrees...or hope that there's a spot in your fridge that will stay that warm.

I use superworms for the larger more adult size beardies. I'm pretty sure I have one that is addicted to them...which is slowly being fixed. I'd like to get them over to Repti-Worms...but it's been a slow process.

 

[blue11]

About the ReptiWorms, i have found that if i keep them right near the floor A/C vent, is actually works great...that way they are cooler than the room temp, but not so chilly that they slow down or die off. Would LOVE a wine fridge though!

 

[NFM07]

That's what I've started doing. Mulberry Farms has a couple of post paid packages of silkworm and hornworm combos that I use....they also have butters too.

For my babies/juvies I use Repti-Worms and will use them until the day they refuse to eat them. The problem with ReptiWorms is that to get them at a good price you have to order thousands...which means keeping them cold...which means getting a mini-fridge that stays at about 55 degrees...or hope that there's a spot in your fridge that will stay that warm.

I use superworms for the larger more adult size beardies. I'm pretty sure I have one that is addicted to them...which is slowly being fixed. I'd like to get them over to Repti-Worms...but it's been a slow process.

Sorry to jump in, how long can these worms last in a mini fridge?

 

[emilykay405]

This is what the FAQ from reptiworms.com says

How can I get my worms to live/last longer?
You can get your worms to last longer by cooling them to 50-60 degrees F. This can be done by putting them into a wine/beer fridge. Normal refrigerators will cool them down too much and can cause them to die after a day or two. Cooling them will allow the worms to stay alive for months. Keeping them at room temperature will keep your worms alive for 2-3 weeks.

I've had them last 3 months or so in the mini fridge. I do get a bit paranoid at around the 3 month mark and will tap the container and take it outside to open...just becuase every single time a fly comes out of a container at me I almost have a heart attack (which...I'm not even sure could happen if they are kept cold...). Because of my work schedule I usually divide up a weeks worth into solo cups with lids and keep them stacked up so it's quicker to feed during the morning rush and when I come home at lunch.

 

[emilykay405]

About the ReptiWorms, i have found that if i keep them right near the floor A/C vent, is actually works great...that way they are cooler than the room temp, but not so chilly that they slow down or die off. Would LOVE a wine fridge though!

That's a good idea! I'd love a wine fridge too but we have a small dorm fridge that we've...uh...voided the warranty on...to keep it at the 55 degree mark.

They also have some pretty cool medical coolers that are programable. We tried a butter cooler thing but it never got below 63 degrees so that got returned.