Mealworms - best way to keep them?

[honeysuckle]

Hi

I am considering buying a larger quantity of mealworms for my birds after a sample tub I was given was demolished in seconds:)

I was wondering how people on here keep theirs fresh (containers, feed, cleaning out etc).

Finally, what feeding methods do people find best?

I am pretty new to all this, so all advice is much welcomed.

Many Thanks:D

[PiratesAhoy!]

I tend to use small containers, kept in a reasonably cold location (not the fridge). Feed them with bran (I use crushed up weetabix) and if they've been in the container a long time, sift the stuff they've eaten (powedery stuff) out every now and again.

Mind you, I don't keep them for long periods, as the birds usually eat them fairly quickly!

[SCRUMPY]

I had a 900g bag of mealworms delivered today, and as I usually get them in small tubs I expected to get some bran with them.
Of couse, I opened up the cotton sack they came in and masses of the things started crawling out of the top:eek: .

They came with screwed up newspaper, so after extracting them all from that I shared them out between a few different containers and as I didn't have any bran I crushed up a load of Oatabix blocks. I guess that's just as good as Weetabix isn't it:confused: . I don't want to kill the poor things. Their fate is already decided, but I don't want to finish them off before their time:D .

[Jenny]

I bought a mealworm container this time and it's been great - just right for the 500g sack! Am really impressed with the speed of delivery - worms appeared before box and food! I've saved marg tubs too to keep some in.

[PiratesAhoy!]

Oatibix isn't quite as good as weetabix, but it might do for a short time. You can also give them some of the newspaper back, as they eat that!

If you can, cut up some apple and give some chunks to them - they'll use this to get moisture from, otherwise they'll dehydrate just from eating the bran/weetabix.

[SCRUMPY]

Thanks for the advice.
I've just shared an apple out between the tubs and put some newspaper in.
I'll have to get some bran when next I go shopping.

[Jenny]

Apple slices to be put in in the morning!Thanks:)