How to Feed Mealworms

Mealworms are deficient in calcium and high in phosphorus. Here's how to balance out their diets.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bran Cereal
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Osteoform (calcium Powder)
• Plastic Bowls
• Plastic Containers
• Fruits
• Vegetables

1. Line a jar or plastic container with bran cereal.

2. Place mealworms on top of bran cereal.

3. Cut fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots and yams into 1-inch chunks.

4. Sprinkle calcium and vitamin D powder onto chunks of fruits and vegetables and place in container.

5. Avoid placing container in refrigerator. Mealworms eat less during refrigeration.

6. Replenish fruits and vegetables every two days.

7. Replenish bran weekly.

Tips & Warnings

• When feeding animals mealworms, take into consideration that they will need alternate sources of calcium for a well-balanced diet.
• A good source of calcium and vitamin D is a product called Osteoform.

on 8/8/2006 In school we raised mealworms because we were studying their life cycle: egg, larva (worm), pupa, and finally the beetle. All we did was split up into groups, get a plastic container, fill it with oatmeal, put a slice of potato in the container, and then put the mealworms in their new home. Soon, they evolved into pupa and then into beetles!

on 4/4/2006 I was having problems with mold (we live in very humid Florida) until I switched to feeding my mealworms flaked fish food. I use banana peels to give them some moisture. The fish food is very high in protein and doesn't grow mold easily.

on 11/22/2005 I've found oatmeal to be an excellent food substitute for mealworms. Also strawberry chunks. They contain the most vitamin C of all the fruits. I think this really helps my bearded dragons and leopard geckos show their best and brightest colors.