Advise needed for caring for mealworms in the fridge

After reading all the neat threads of Bluebirds, I want to try it.

I bought 2,000 meal worms online, a bluebird nest box and one of those cage-typed meal worm feeders.

Right now the mealys are in my fridge, in a Tupperware-type container, with the top cracked for ventilation - nothing else is in the container right now, just the meal worms.

Tomorrow I'm going to drill some holes in the top and using string, hang a damp sponge from the lid inside. I'm not going to make the sponge dripping wet, just keep it damp.

I really don't intend to start a colony, just keep these on the "slow track".

I understand that once a week I should take them out, let them warm to room temp and let them feed. I'm going to use old fashioned "rolled" oatmeal for food/bedding.

I figured it was too late this year to put up the nest box, but should I put it up anyway so it can be found?

I also understand that I may have to contend with HOSP's.

Any advise from any one with experience caring for meal worms or attracting bluebirds would be nice.

Thanks
Hack





This message was edited Aug 6, 2009 12:42 AM

bltefft...I put them in the fridge without the sponge since my fridge is humid enough. They are in bedding all the time. I use cornmeal since it lets me sift out the worms when I use them. When I leave them out for a day; I put slices of potato, carrot or leaves of kale in the container for the day. That gives them all the moisture they need. I usually start using them for feed when they reach medium size so I don't always have some in the fridge. If too many start going into the next stage I will but the big worms in the fridge. My pantry is full of them in all stages of growth. As soon as they start to change I move the crystalis to a different container and let then turn to beetles. As soon as I see little worms I move the beetles to another container so I will have worms the same age. I always start a new beetle bed with fresh bedding so the bedding will not be disturbed till the little worms are bigger. I keep the fresh veggies in all containers that are out of the fridge and change them daily. Just make sure the bedding is not getting wet.

Thank you for the advise.

Hack