Mealworms should be stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 5 C will kill Mealworms, but if they are stored at the ideal temperature of 8 - 10 C in adequate food (bran or Progrub) they can keep for several months. Mini mealworms are young Mealworms. They will inevitably grow as they are fed, eventually to the size of regular Mealworms. The rate of growth depends on temperature. At 8 C, the rate of growth is almost unnoticeable - it would take many weeks for the worms to grow. At 22 C the Mini's will grow to full size in probably as little as three weeks. If stored at above 22 C Mealworms will do what comes naturally and pupate very quickly. Up to 500g of Mealworms can be stored in our own storage box, which has a mesh bottom to provide ventilation and a reversible lid to capture waste (which makes great organic fertilizer). Over 500g of Mealworms can be stored in an open plastic container such as cat litter tray. A lid is unnecessary provided that the sides of the container are clean and it is stored where it won't be knocked over, preferably on a cool, concrete floor. For every 3.5cm in depth of Mealworms add 1.5cm of Progrub or bran. Never exceed a total depth of 5cm of food and Mealworms together or the Mealworms may suffocate. Mealworms fed on Progrub are likely to be more nutritious and will be gut loaded with calcium. It is not necessary to feed carrot, potato peelings, apple etc to full sized or Giant Mealworms. However, this vegetable nutrition should be provided to Mini Mealworms for moisture. Over-feeding should be avoided as this encourages mites. Mites are tiny grey arachnids (members of the spider family) whose eggs are present in flour products such as bran. Warm humid conditions cause the eggs to hatch and motes breed quickly so be sure to provide adequate ventilation.
Unpacking Livefoods
Bulk livefoods must be unpacked as soon as they arrive. The shipping container can be placed in a refrigerator for an hour or two in warm weather before unpacking to slow the livefoods down. To prevent escape, open the bag or box outdoors and tip the contents into a large plastic bucket or dustbin. Shake the livefoods off the egg carton or crumpled newspaper taking care to hold the paper below the rim of the bucket. The livefoods are then ready to be transferred to their storage container.