I always buy my mealworms by the 1000 and they do fine.This time they are all coming to the top of thier bran/oat mix I keep them in. Why are they doing this? I keep a half potato on the top and they always eat it up so I know its not lack of moisture. Its like they all want to get out or something..I dont want to lose these guys they arent cheap..Maybe this is normal but I dont remember them doing this in such large numbers before..
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question about mealies all hanging out on top of the bran?
rayquaza
Jun 25, 2004 05:04 PM
Replies (3)
gmherps
Jun 25, 2004 11:05 PM
Mine cruise the whole box. Top, bottom and everywhere!
They just go where they want.
They're fine.
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rodmalm
Jun 28, 2004 03:15 AM
No, it's not normal.
First, make sure they are not too hot. They are much more active when hot.
Second, maybe mites? (don't worry, they are probably mites that infest grain or mites that live on other insects, and wouldn't bother your herps.) The mites crawling on them, may be uncomfortable for them, causing them to crawl around more than usual.
Third, try another water source. I use primarily romaine lettuce, they seem to like it more than potatoes.
Rodney
Lucien
Jun 28, 2004 05:29 AM
I find that the larger of my mealworms will come to the top and stay there mostly immobile when they're getting ready to pupate. Though I also find alot of them hanging at the surface and I never give supplemental heating...they're kept at room temp year around... (anywhere between 69 at night and 75 during the day unless the day is very hot and then it goes up more) I have thousands (producing enough to go through roughly 500-600 mealies a week) now started from about 1500 that I threw in laying mash and feed whatever veggies I happen to have in the frig and also provided a bit more water from moistened papertowels just laid over the substrate. Unlike Superworms, mealworms can absorb water from the air as well as ingest it so if you can keep it somewhat humid in their drawers and every few days give the substrate a stir to prevent mold.. then you should get a very healthy colony.
Sorry I went off on a tangent.. I tend to do that.. *L* Anyway, its not a problem that they're at the surface.. easier for you to pick up for feeding.
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Lucien
1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.1.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short) and 1 dbl. het blizzard x tang albino (Malice))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)
