Care for Superworms

Superworms can be used to feed reptiles. If you have reptiles as pets, you may be interested in housing your own superworms. You can buy superworms online or at a pet store. Superworms are fairly hands off. All you need to do is provide a habitat and food. If you want to breed your own superworms, which can save money long term, you can allow your superworms to turn into beetles by separating them in small containers. You can transfer beetles to a breeding container to produce more superworms.

Steps

Providing a Habitat

  1. Choose a container. A plastic container can work well for superworms. You can also pick up an aquarium at a local pet store. The container should be large enough that its top will be at least three inches away from the substrate.[1]
    • You can easily use plastic container you have lying around the house for superworms. For example, you can use a plastic container used to store old clothing.
    • Make sure the container has smooth sides. This will prevent superworms from crawling out.[2]
  2. Provide ventilation. Superworms need some ventilation to thrive. It's a good idea to go for a container with a mesh lid. If your container does not have a mesh lid, you can poke very small holes near the lid to allow ventilation.[2]
    • Make sure the holes are small enough that superworms cannot crawl out.
  3. Add substrate. Substrate refers to the material that lines the bottom of an aquarium or cage. Bran, wheat bran, or uncooked oatmeal are all suitable substrate for superworms. They provide some moisture without harming the worms.[1]
    • Substrate should be at least four inches thick so the worms have room to burrow.
    • Make sure any substrate you add is dry. Too much moisture can kill superworms.

Keeping the Superworms Healthy

  1. Maintain the right temperature. Never refrigerate superworms like you world with meal worms. This will kill them. The temperature should be roughly between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 and 27 degrees Celsius), which is generally within room temperature. It's usually safe to store superworms in an area of your home where temperature is consistent.[1]
    • Superworms can tolerate temperatures slightly higher or lower than room temperature on occasion. It may stunt their growth, however. If you have a room that is consistently a little hot or a little cold, do not keep superworms here.
  2. Provide fruits and vegetables as food. Superworms feed on fruits and vegetables. You can feed them leftover produce from your kitchen. As superworms should not be exposed to water, opt for produce that can provide moisture such as potatoes, apple slices, and fresh greens.[1]
  3. Keep water out of the habitat. Unlike other insects, you should not mist a superworm container or place water in it. Superworms should never be exposed directly to water as this can cause health problems. Keep water out of a superworm's container as much as possible.[2]

Breeding Superworms

  1. Separate the larvae into chambers. You may want to allow some of your superworms to grow into beetles. The beetles can then breed, providing you with more superworms. If you have reptiles that feed on superworms, this can save you money. To start, separate larvae into chambers.[3]
    • Chambers should be tiny containers. Film canisters or vials work well.
    • Make sure to punch small holes in the lid of your containers for ventilation.
    • Use wheat bran or oatmeal as substrate. You should also add a small slice of carrot for moisture.
  2. Remove worms from the container when they morph into a pupae. The second life stage for superworms is the pupae stage. It takes about 10 days in a chamber for a superworm to pupate. In the pupae stage, superworms will curl up into a round ball. Once they reach this stage, remove them from the chambers. Put each pupae in an individual container, slightly larger than their original chambers, stocked with fruits, vegetables, and substrate.[2]
  3. Prepare a breeding container for beetles. While you wait for the pupae to turn into beetles, make a breeder container. You will transfer beetles to this container so they can breed.[4]
    • Use any type of plastic container with smooth sides, such as a Rubbermaid container.
    • Add an inch of substrate such as wheat bran.
    • Place part of an egg crate in one corner. Beetles will gather here to breed.
    • Use a ventilated lid on the container.
  4. Transfer beetles into the breeding container when they emerge. Check your pupae daily until you see beetles have emerged. Once your pupae has turned into a beetle, place it in the breeding chamber. Add each new beetle to the chamber. They will continue to breed until they die. You can remove superworms as you see them and feed them to your reptiles.[2]

Warnings

  • If your reptile doesn't eat the super-worm right away, it will burrow into the soil
  • Be careful, super-worms can bite!

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://www.repticzone.com/articles/superwormscnw.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=6016&articleid=2486
  3. ↑ http://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/Document/superworms-care-handling-instructions/tr10549.tr
  4. ↑ http://www.geckotime.com/how-to-breed-superworms/

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