Do you need a substrate for mealworm beetles?

[jordy1380]

I am breeding meal worms for my sugar gliders and bearded dragons and have around 50 beetles now. I was curious if you need substrate for them. I have oatmeal in the bottom now, but it is going to be hard to see the baby worms when they hatch. Do I need that in there or can I just have egg crates for the beetles?

 

[clear]

You need something for them to lay eggs on. So in short yes.

 

[jordy1380]

So should I leave the oatmeal in there, or is it good enough to just have the egg crates in there with them? What is the best substrate to have in there with them? Also, is there a cheap place to get the actual meal worm bedding from in a larger quantity than 1-2 pounds?

 

[clear]

There is no actual mealworm bedding, all it is is a mixture of oatmeal, wheatgerm and other dry products. You can make it yourself. Yes the beetles need it, the crates will work but your get a better production with substrate.

 

[jordy1380]

What is the cheapest and easiest way to make a lot of bedding? I looked at walmart and all they have is a small jar of wheat germ and a canaster of oatmeal. Is there any place else that I can get something in a larger quantity?

 

[clear]

Hit up your local generic stores like aldi or something of that nature, they usually offer in large bulk at a cheap price.

 

[jordy1380]

What is aldi?? I am in NE and have never heard of that.... Are there any good websites that have the bedding for cheap and don't rape you on the shipping?

 

[Hawk]

we used a mix of sawdust and oats, it worked wonders, we had them in a 210gallon drum cut in half and when u touched the surface everything would start wriggling, add pieces of bread in there as well for them to eat.