Need to know basics on caring for Supers

[ddma]

well, since my one beardie won't eat crix any more i tried super worms. looks like i need to keep them now. i don't want to breed them, just buy them to feed. i live very close to a reptile store so i have easy access to them. i need to know a few basics .
how big of container for 100 to 200 ?
what is the best substrate (bedding) to keep them in ?
what do i feed them? and how often
how often do i need to clean the substrate (bedding) ? I clean my crix tub and replenish food every other day.
do i need to dust them with calcium and vitamin ?
egg crates in container ?
I think that's about it , unless i've forgotten something, please feel free to add to what i need to do . thanks
oh and should i feed my beardie as many aa he'll eat in a 10 - 15 min time frame ?

 

[Pravius]

Supers are easy to keep.

They are kept in like oat mean oat bran ect. They will eat that and you really do not need to feed them anything else. I keep mine in a deli cup with holes in the top. They can be stored at room temp and survive a long time. Keep in mind though these are not going to be a good staple at all for your dragon they have really no nutritional value at all... (contain no calcium or very little). I would try a worm like a phoenix or horn worms are GREAT but very expensive.

 

[ddma]

I heard that i can use the supers as a staple , silks are better but the care is way too hard. phoenix worms i know are good. and i know eal worms are a no no. don't the supers need some sort of moisture like potatoe , vegies etc?

 

[Amellio]

Yes you need to provide them with carrots, potatoes or something for moisture but dont leave it in there for long cause it will causes mold. I normally changed mine out everyday.

 

[Pravius]

http://www.kricketskritters.com/insects/superworm-care.html

I would not use them as a staple.

 

[Amellio]

I would have to disagree with the statement above. Superworms can be used as a staple, a lot of people use them and I'm one of them. They do not have as much chittin as mealworms so they have a better meat to shell ratio. Just make sure you dust them with calcium and vitamins and your good to go.

 

[Claudiusx]

Superworms CAN be used as a staple. That website you posted was a generalization of mealworms and superworms together. Superworms are good but mealworms are the ones with a hard outer shell and little nutritional value. Supers outer shell is much softer and if feed the right diet they can be very nutritious.

-Brandon

 

[jortiz9758]

Superworms can be used as a staple. I use them with all my lizards. Super easy to keep in reg Quaker Oats and they do last a very very long time in reg room temps ( do not refrigerate)....Just dump them in to that and provide some sort of food and water for them as mentioned. You can throw in a carrot or potatoe slice in with them. I personally throw in all the stumps from the greens I use and they go threw it all daily ( My bin always has about 1000 or so).....this way I know all my supers are gutloaded with greens :mrgreen:

 

[Momto3boys]

So you only need a small container for them?

Someone told me they will eat each other if they are in too small of a container??

 

[Claudiusx]

Well they will if over crowded just you your best judgment and provide enough food and they shouldn't eat eachother.

-Brandon

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

I use superworms as my beardies main staple feeder.

They are very easy to keep. I usually have 100-200 at a time and keep them in a rubbermaid container a little bigger than a dishpan.
Most of the online farms you buy them from also sell the bedding/chow. I use to buy mine premade, but now make my own from oatmeal(old fashioned rolled....not the quick cook kind) and wheat germ. In the bin you want at least 3" of the bedding/chow. You also want the sides of the bin to be at least 5" high(so there are no escapees). I throw sliced potato in for moisture. The potatos do need to be replaced every 1-2 days, due to molding.
The biggest tip I can give you is good air circulation. If you can keep them in a bin with no lid it is better. I used lid with numerous holes punched in it, but still had a problem with mold. They also need to be kept betwwen 70-80 degrees. I keep mine in the house(spare room :bleick I don't prefer that, but have no choice with the heat and humidity in Florida.
The bedding only needs to be changed when it either starts to smell, gets too moist or the chow turns into a fine like powder. The moisture from the potato is sufficient...it is when they run low on moisture that they usually start their lovely act of cannabalism :shock:
Like the above posters mentioned...throwing in some greens/veggies is also great. I usually throw the last of Rex's salad in the bin at the end of the day.

Hope this helps.