Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Generally, do you guys gutload your mealworms, or is it assumed that they are ready to be fed right from the refrigerator.

I have heard that placing mealworms in a container with some carrots at room temp works good, if not what is the best way to gutload.

One more question, is there any difference in mealworms purchased at a pet store vs. fishing bait store. Do they all get them from the same place?

Thanks in advance for comments and advice.

I usually gut load all mine when I get them home from the shop. I put them in an oatmeal bedding, using a carrot/potato for moisture and or food. I give them until the evening feeding, then I put them in the fridge. I take mine out a couple times a week and warm them up and feed them.
As for the bait shop, I personally buy mine from the bait shop when she has them small enough. (if you can get them small enough) Not many bait shops purchase the small ones. most of the ones in this area carry giants. My girl wont eat them, and the one she did eat the threw up within minutes. Personally I think the quality of the mealworms you purchase should matter more than the source. My local reptile shop has them, but the die within a few days, and there are more dead than live ones in the bags that I get. I plan to start buying online in bulk. I have found its cheaper and I don't have to drive to get them. I am no means and expert only offering my own opinion based on my experience.

PS; I do buy my crickets from the bait shop too. But I also personally know the bait shop owner and know she feeds her feeder crickets well.

Good luck!

-----
This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

2.1 chocolate labs and bassett (Harley, Barker and Capone)
1.0 leopard gecko (Nacho)

Gutloading mealies is very easy. Just take out a bunch for awhile, then put them in a small Critter-Keeper tank and throw some food in. I vary the foods that I load with, right now I'm using dandelion greens as they are high in calcium. I try to load them for at least 24 hours before feeding them out. I get a bunch out of their container on a Sunday and just keep them out and eating all week. As far as bait shop/pet store is concerned, look at the containers. That should probably answer your question; check out the interweb after to see where they provide their worms to. HAve fun.
-----
0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink (Smoot)

I've been told to gutload 24 hrs in advance for sure, use carrots, potatoes, and add in a spinkle of calcium or mixed repti-vitamin powder.

The problem with mealworms is they are high in fat. They are kind of like french fries for us humans. Lots of fat, not much else. If you want a solution for healthier food without gutloading, instead look at something like Silkworms. They are naturally more nutritious than mealies or crickets without having to dust or gutload.

Hope this helps,

-=Ryan=-

Thanks to all for your advice.

I usually gutload my giant mealworms with crushed good quality dog kibbles. I put the crushed dog food in a container so that it's deep enough for the mealworms to bury itself and that's it. Basically the crushed dog food serve as both food and bedding for them. I spray the dog food with water once a day for moisture for the mealies. You can use chick mash or hog feed if you like. They both are als very nutritious...high in protein and calcium like the dog kibbles. You can also put a little bit of calcium powder mixed in with the gutload stuff if you like for added calcium. This way your gecko will get it, too. For the smaller mealies you have to take it out of the fridge before you gutload them. If they are too cold, they become dormant and will eat, and therefore will not gutload themselves. I also feed my crickets crushed dog food, and provide a shallow dish of water for them. Both crickets and mealies are good as staple because they are easy to get. The giant mealworms, or Zoophobas, have less chitin (exoskeleton) than the smaller one, so they are easier to digest. With the mealworms you should provide a hot basking area of about 95 degree because they do have more chitin than crickets, or they might end up throwing up if they are too cold.

I have fed the giant mealworms to my leos and they never throw them up. I think the key is to provide them with a hot basking spot up to 95 degree. This might be difficult to achieve if you live in the cold part of the country. That's why you should provide it with basking light along with the undertank heater if the temperature drops too much.

You should always gutload your mealworms. Thaey are basically an empty container from the breeder. The best thing for them is Progeckos.com ProGutload food. You just use this as bedding for the mealworm along with a potato for water and they are super healthy food then.