Salutations, future entomologist! Are you considering keeping mealworms as a pet? You have arrived to the correct spot. Jump straight into this wriggly experience with me, what do mealworms eat?
Housing must be addressed initially. All you need is a plain plastic container; an elaborate setup is unnecessary. Make sure it stands tall enough to deter any efforts at escape. I can assure you that a mealworm marathon is not what you want to discover on your kitchen floor! Make sure these little fellas always have something new by drilling holes in the lid.
We can talk about bedding now. You can use oatmeal or bran for both bedding and cooking. You only need to cover the base of your container by a quarter of an inch. They can chew on it like it’s their own plush couch. Everyone benefits!
Important factor is temperature. Make sure it’s a warm room temperature; mealies hate being cold. Feeling chilly? So are they. When you’re perspiring, they’re ideal. The spice of life can sometimes be found in simplicity!
While staying hydrated may appear complex, it really isn’t that hard. The mealworms receive their moisture from vegetables and fruits. Toss in a few potato or carrot slices. Let your mind wander to a spa day when cucumber slices are part of the menu. Make sure to replace them before they go bad!
Mealworms transform into beetles, and now they’re moving in with you. Take it easy! All of this occurs during the life cycle of mealworms. As time goes by, you’ll observe beetles cruising around, followed by eggs and larvae. In your own home, you have nature’s own miniature circus.
You will need to filter your mealworms as the weeks pass. It aids in separating them from their excrement. Find worms by using a sieve; it’s similar to panning for gold, except with worms instead of gold. Keep in mind that even the most skilled miners occasionally have down days.
It is now time to harvest! You can pick what happens to them when they reach the size you choose. As one might expect, they are delicious as a snack for pets. Turning them into beetles will allow them to engage in more entomological activities.
And that’s it! Now you’re nearly an expert at attracting mealworms. Continue to observe, make adjustments, and savor this eccentric pastime. Your pals may raise an eyebrow, but I guarantee they’ll be interested. Jump in without hesitation, and squish around in delight.