Welcome to the ultimate guide on DIY mealworm food.
If you’ve just started raising mealworms, you might wonder what you should feed them.
Mealworms are particularly helpful for gardeners and animal keepers as a nutritious snack for larger pets.
To ensure your mealworms get a balanced diet, you should take the time to learn how to make your homemade mealworm food.
In this article, we’ll discuss what mealworms eat, what types of food are the most popular to buy your mealworms, and an easy DIY recipe to make your own.
We’ll then explain when to feed the mealworms and some common mistakes to watch out for.
We’re sure you’ll be a mealworm-feeding pro by the end of this article. So let’s get started!
What Do Mealworms Eat?
In the wild, mealworms feed on a variety of decaying organic matter like plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, dead insects, and even bird droppings.
They’ll also feed on decaying things like fallen leaves, driftwood, and tree bark.
This is why they’re considered an essential component of the natural ecosystem’s food chain.
In addition to feeding on decaying matter, wild mealworms will eat things like fresh mushrooms, worms, fly larvae, and other small insects.
Wild mealworms also feed on grains, wheat, and cornmeal.
As you can see, mealworms are pretty versatile feeders and can find a variety of foods in the wild.
But, if you plan on raising them and want to provide the most nutritious diet for them, then you’ll probably want to create your mealworm food.
This is where the DIY mealworm food guide comes in.
To ensure they thrive, provide them with an optimal environment using our Biotype Substrate Blends, which are specially formulated to support their dietary needs.
Buy Mealworm Food
Buying commercial mealworm food is another great way to provide your mealworms with a nutritious balanced diet.
You can find a variety of mealworm food options on the market ranging from oats and wheat germ to specially formulated diets.
When buying mealworm food, make sure to read the labels and ensure that it’s formulated for mealworms.
You’ll also want to avoid buying any food that contains pesticide residues as this can be dangerous for any animals consuming these mealworms.
Finally, it’s important to look for organic mealworm food as these are free from chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
When To Feed A Mealworm
When it comes to feeding your mealworms, it’s important to be consistent.
Mealworms should typically be fed every two to three days.
Mealworms like having a variety of food, so you should alternate between your normal food and healthy treats like oatmeal, apples, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.
If you’re using a commercial food source, make sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package, as mealworms can easily become bloated if overfed.
Also, don’t worry if you don’t see your mealworms eating immediately – they can take some time to adjust to their new environment.
It’s also important to note that mealworms should have access to fresh food at all times.
If a food source starts to look aged, discard it immediately and replace it with fresh food.
Mealworms will start to eat each other or parts of themselves if desperate and lacking a food source.
Furthermore, your mealworms may not eat when the temperature outside is too hot or cold, so adjust your feeding schedule accordingly.
What’s more, make sure there’s plenty of humidity in your mealworm’s environment.
Mealworms need moisture to digest correctly and will become sluggish if they don’t have enough moisture.
The best way to keep your mealworms well hydrated is to spray them with water before feeding them and to also place a piece of vegetable in their environment.
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to feeding mealworms is allowing their mealworms to eat the same food all the time.
This can lead to nutritional deficiencies in the mealworms if they aren’t receiving enough vitamins and minerals.
To avoid this, make sure to add variety to their diet and provide different types of food at least once per week.
Another mistake is overfeeding the mealworms. This can cause them to overcrowd their container, leading to stress and potential death.
Always make sure to follow the instructions on the package or recipe when determining how much food to give the mealworms so they can thrive.
Lastly, many people fail to clean out the mealworm food containers regularly.
Containers can quickly get contaminated with bacteria and other pathogens when food is left in them.
It’s important to clean the containers at least once a week to avoid any health issues for your mealworms.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you better understand how to make your mealworm food and what ingredients to use.
It may take some trial and error to find a recipe your mealworms will love, but the effort is worth it.
Remember to avoid common pitfalls like overfeeding, using the wrong food, and forgetting to change the food regularly.
You can rest assured that your mealworms are getting all the nutrients they need when you feed them your homemade mealworm food.
With this guide, you should be able to craft the perfect mealworm food recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mealworms can be fed a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables such as rolled oats, bran, carrots, apples, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, cornmeal, wheat bran, and chicken feed. It’s important to provide a balanced diet and avoid sugary foods, while also ensuring they have a source of moisture to stay hydrated.
Yes, mealworms can eat oatmeal. Rolled oats are actually a common food item for mealworms as they provide a good source of nutrition and can be easily digested.
Mealworms should be provided with fresh food every day or two, depending on container size and number of mealworms. It’s important not to overfeed them and to remove any uneaten food or scraps to prevent moisture buildup and maintain cleanliness.
Yes, mealworms need a source of moisture to stay hydrated. This can be provided through a damp sponge or a slice of potato.
Mealworms prefer dry food. Wet or overly moist food can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi and may cause the mealworms to become sick or die.