Here is a mixture of info and answers to questions about the miracle feeder Calci Worms (Hermetia Illucens).
If there is anything you need to know that you cannot find here, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

 

What do I do when my order of calci worms arrive, and where should I store them?

Calci worms are best kept at room temperature and will last up to 3 weeks. Upon arrival, you will find that there is only a small amount of substrate, we feed our calci worms on a strict diet to ensure they have optimum levels of nutrition and prolonged life span when they arrive with our customers.
The organic substrate supplied with all orders is just enough, without covering them as we understand that many wish to remove all substrate from the larvae before feeding their pets, making feeding a simpler, more hassle-free process.
Being a natural organic composter, calci worms burrow down away from sunlight, the containers we send them in cater for this and also provide optimum humidity for prolonged life.
The only thing you may need to add if they appear dry, is a couple drops of water about once or twice a week.

Can calci worms be fed as the base of a staple diet?

Yes, calci worms are a staple feeder, they have a natural almost perfectly balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus, the benefits they have nutritionally are amazing and legend tells of cases whereby the acclaimed miracle feeders have reversed diseases like MBD (metabolic bone disease). Even though they are a great staple feeder, we advise that you should offer as wide variety of feeders that you can to your pets.

Do I need to dust or gutload my calci worms before feeding to my pet(s)?

We tend to make a generalisation as people when it comes to taking and giving vitamins that more is better. This is a misconception that can cause complications and related illnesses in captive reptiles, many reptiles and their food require supplementation of vitamins and minerals but it is vital to monitor the amounts given. Many species of Herps that are maintained on a well-balanced nutritious, varied diet do not require any supplementation at all and when adding supplements to a well-balanced diet, the owner is running the risk of overdosing the reptile on vitamins! Calci worms, have such high levels of nutrition and such a natural balance that they do not require supplementation, saving you money in the long run! Some hail them as natures pill, as they are in effect, like organic supplementation for your reptiles as they are just so naturally healthy, which will be shown through the vitality and well-being of your pets.

Some of the calci worms in my order are a dark brown, are they dead?

We understand that most customers prefer a lively, wriggly worm to offer their pets which is why we provide 90-99% lively calci worms to up to 10% brown. Brown calci worms are not dead, they are in fact nearing the later stages of larval life, they will appear to move slower and at this point in their life are at their highest nutritional value. We can supply darker calci worms if you or your pets prefer them this way.

My calci worms have arrived but they are motionless, why is this? Are they dead?

Calci worms, when subjected to lower temperature, appear lifeless. The decline in their optimum conditions lowers their metabolic rate (metabolism –  click here for more info). To stimulate their metabolism and bring them back to their insanely wriggly selves, simply place them under direct heat i.e. a light, and you will find that almost instantly, they become full of life and energy, just how reptiles like them!

·         You don’t feed them
·         Stay fresh in their pot for weeks at room temperature
·         No noise
·         No odour
·         Will stay in a dish – no escapees
·         They wiggle like crazy which excites and entices herps – great food for picky eaters
·         They taste good (a guess, herps greedily consume them)
·         Come in three sizes to satisfy most pets, from dart frogs to adult bearded dragons
·         Stimulate the appetite of animals that don’t readily feed
·         Can halt or reverse the effects of MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)
·         Provide a boost of nutrition for gravid or just laid females
·         A great start for all hatchlings