Growing Your Own Mealworms: A Nutritious Treat for Your Lizards

Are you a lizard owner looking to provide your scaly friends with a healthy, cost-effective, and sustainable food source? Growing your own mealworms at home is easier than you might think! Not only does it save you money, but it also ensures your lizards get fresh, high-quality nutrition. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding project for any reptile enthusiast. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start your own mealworm colony and keep your lizards thriving!

Why Choose Mealworms for Your Lizards?

Mealworms are a fantastic staple food for many lizard species, such as bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and other insectivores. They’re packed with protein, easy to digest, and loved by reptiles. By raising your own, you can:

• Save money: No more frequent pet store purchases.

• Control quality: Ensure your mealworms are healthy and free from harmful chemicals.

• Enjoy sustainability: Reduce waste and create a self-sustaining food source.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the simple steps to grow your own mealworms!

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather these supplies:

• Container: A shallow plastic or glass container with a lid (e.g., a storage bin or aquarium, 10-12 inches deep).

• Substrate: Wheat bran, oats, or cornmeal (about 2-3 inches deep) to serve as bedding and food.

• Moisture source: Fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or apple slices for hydration.

• Starter mealworms: 500-1,000 live mealworms (available at pet stores or online).

• Ventilation: Mesh or perforated lid for airflow to prevent mold.

• Optional: Egg cartons or cardboard pieces for hiding spots.

  
  

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Mealworms

1. Set Up Your Mealworm Farm

Choose a well-ventilated container and fill it with a 2-3 inch layer of substrate (wheat bran or oats work great). This serves as both bedding and a food source for the mealworms. Add some egg cartons or cardboard pieces to give the mealworms places to hide and climb. Place the container in a warm, dark area (ideally 75-80°F) to encourage growth and reproduction.

2. Add Your Starter Mealworms

Purchase your initial batch of mealworms and gently place them into the container. A starting colony of 500-1,000 worms is ideal for producing a steady supply. Don’t worry if some look different—mealworms go through four life stages: egg, larva (the mealworm stage), pupa, and adult beetle.

3. Feed and Hydrate

Mealworms get their nutrition from the substrate, but they also need moisture. Add small slices of carrots, potatoes, or apples every few days. These provide hydration without making the substrate too wet, which can cause mold. Remove any uneaten vegetables after 24-48 hours to keep the environment clean.

4. Maintain the Colony

Check your colony weekly to ensure it’s thriving. Remove any dead worms or beetles, and refresh the substrate every 1-2 months or when it starts looking depleted. If the substrate gets damp or moldy, replace it immediately to keep your mealworms healthy.

5. Harvest Mealworms for Your Lizards

In about 4-6 weeks, your mealworms will multiply as they progress through their life cycle. The larvae (mealworm stage) are what you’ll feed your lizards. Use a small scoop or tweezers to collect the worms, and dust them with a calcium or vitamin supplement for extra nutrition before feeding. Leave enough worms in the colony to continue breeding.

6. Manage the Life Cycle

Mealworms will eventually turn into pupae and then darkling beetles. The beetles will lay eggs, which hatch into new mealworms in 1-2 weeks. To keep your colony sustainable, let some worms complete their life cycle to produce the next generation. If you notice too many beetles, you can separate them into a different container to control the population.

Tips for Success

• Temperature matters: Keep the colony at 75-80°F for optimal growth. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

• Avoid overcrowding: If your colony gets too large, split it into multiple containers to prevent stress on the worms.

• Gut-load for nutrition: Feed your mealworms nutrient-rich foods like carrots or leafy greens 24 hours before feeding them to your lizards to boost their nutritional value.

• Be patient: It may take a couple of months for your colony to become self-sustaining, but once it’s established, you’ll have a steady supply!

  
  

Why Lizards Love Mealworms

Lizards go crazy for mealworms because they’re tasty and provide essential nutrients like protein and fat. By growing your own, you can ensure your lizards are getting fresh, high-quality food tailored to their needs. Plus, you’ll feel great knowing you’re providing a natural, chemical-free diet.

Get Started Today!

Raising mealworms is a simple, rewarding way to care for your lizards while saving money and reducing waste. With just a little setup and maintenance, you’ll have a thriving mealworm farm in no time. Your lizards will thank you with every happy chomp!

Have questions or want to share your mealworm-growing success? Drop us a comment below or connect with us on social media. Happy lizard feeding!