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Addendum: 01/10/2026
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Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....
MEALWORM SHORTAGE!!!
- Thread starter Golden Gate Geckos
- Start date
KelliH
doesn't drink the koolaid
I fed crickets to all my leopard geckos for the first time in a very long time last night. It was more time consuming than feeding mealworms, but not so much. I fed crickets exclusively for years and actually I enjoyed it back then because I got to watch the geckos stalk their prey. 
It also gives them some much needed exercise (and some of my fatties need it!) and crickets are healthier for them.
I'm trying to remain positive about this situation we are in but it's hard! We've all grown so accustomed to feeding mealies and the ease of doing so that it seems like such a pain in the ass to mess with all those crix again. But remember, that is how we all used to do things back in the day, and all was good then. Shoot, I may actually never switch back to mealies, back when I used to feed crickets I had almost 100% hatch rates and rarely any infertile eggs. I also had healthier looking geckos ie. they were not fat.
It also gives them some much needed exercise (and some of my fatties need it!) and crickets are healthier for them.I'm trying to remain positive about this situation we are in but it's hard! We've all grown so accustomed to feeding mealies and the ease of doing so that it seems like such a pain in the ass to mess with all those crix again. But remember, that is how we all used to do things back in the day, and all was good then. Shoot, I may actually never switch back to mealies, back when I used to feed crickets I had almost 100% hatch rates and rarely any infertile eggs. I also had healthier looking geckos ie. they were not fat.
Another factor in deciding whether to return to mealworms is that they may never return to the pre disaster pricing. The growers and vendors look like they will be missing at least a month of sales and that can really hurt. Some will recoup part of their losses through federal income tax deductions, but the remainder may very well be passed onto the customer when production resumes.
Golden Gate Geckos
Mean Old Gecko Lady
Good point, Lucille. I have a friend in the feeder business that told me he lost over a million dollars in sales last month due to not having mealworms! (Maybe we're in the wrong business, Kelli! LOL!)
Cat_72
Back from exile :)
Golden Gate Geckos said:
Yeah, but Leos are sooooo cute....and mealies are so, well............wormy. LOL.
Maybe I missed this earlier in the thread, but what about feeding supers? The small supers aren't that big...yeah, too big for little babies, but still more cost effective and less ooky than some other options can be for bigger geckos. My adult Leos love supers.
KelliH
doesn't drink the koolaid
Ya think?!?
I went to Petco today to get baby crickets. Thinking of y'all's predicament I asked what other sorts of live food was available.
They showed me some baby red worms which came to about 3 cents each. Of course, I'm sure since Petco is pretty expensive they could be got elsewhere for much less.
These worms which were maybe 3" long might could be cut into smaller sizes for geckos.
They showed me some baby red worms which came to about 3 cents each. Of course, I'm sure since Petco is pretty expensive they could be got elsewhere for much less.
These worms which were maybe 3" long might could be cut into smaller sizes for geckos.
Casey Hulse
New member
I just found out that the feed some of the growers have been using has been genetically altered to prevent bugs from eating it.....
Now that makes sense, the farmer would not even think the "end user" would be feeding bugs.
Alternative feeders
Superworms are superior to mealworms nutritionally and can and should be used instead when given the choice. There are many species of roaches available. Therefore to say they didnt work for you is meaningless. Like saying dont buy a new car, I did and it broke down. You have to be specific to have a valid point. For the most part roachess are superior in every way to crickets or mealworms and definitely as far as nutrition. There are reasons people pay more for roaches and crix and mealies. Price alone is not something to consider if one prides themselves on the quality of the animals they provide. Roaches also take less effort to keep and breed than crickets and mealworms do just to buy. As specialists in bulk sales of alternative feeders not one client has regretted choosing to forgo crickets and mealworms. Lobster roaches are cheap because people didnt like them. They climb glass. There are many species out there that provide the same or better without being glass climbers. Blatta lateralis are eagerly eaten by geckos. They are also fast breeders much faster than lobster roaches and dont climb glass or dig or burrow. If people breed several hundred geckos a year than the cost of a colony is negligible when one 500 dollar gecko can pay the price of a viable colony. We sell several species of feeder animals. When we first started selling dubia roaches 4 years ago they were 2-3 dollars a piece no one who got them was sorry. For further info or to answer in more detail we can be reached at [email protected]. Please include your name and phone number for a reply. We deal in living things and therefore we must talk to a living thing to make sure the product meshes with the clients need.
Digby Rigby [email protected]
Superworms are superior to mealworms nutritionally and can and should be used instead when given the choice. There are many species of roaches available. Therefore to say they didnt work for you is meaningless. Like saying dont buy a new car, I did and it broke down. You have to be specific to have a valid point. For the most part roachess are superior in every way to crickets or mealworms and definitely as far as nutrition. There are reasons people pay more for roaches and crix and mealies. Price alone is not something to consider if one prides themselves on the quality of the animals they provide. Roaches also take less effort to keep and breed than crickets and mealworms do just to buy. As specialists in bulk sales of alternative feeders not one client has regretted choosing to forgo crickets and mealworms. Lobster roaches are cheap because people didnt like them. They climb glass. There are many species out there that provide the same or better without being glass climbers. Blatta lateralis are eagerly eaten by geckos. They are also fast breeders much faster than lobster roaches and dont climb glass or dig or burrow. If people breed several hundred geckos a year than the cost of a colony is negligible when one 500 dollar gecko can pay the price of a viable colony. We sell several species of feeder animals. When we first started selling dubia roaches 4 years ago they were 2-3 dollars a piece no one who got them was sorry. For further info or to answer in more detail we can be reached at [email protected]. Please include your name and phone number for a reply. We deal in living things and therefore we must talk to a living thing to make sure the product meshes with the clients need.
Digby Rigby [email protected]
WingedWolf
New member
Whoa, I've used Lobster roaches, and while everything you say about how easy they are to raise, and how readily they are accepted is true....
They are an INCREDIBLE pain in the arse to actually feed off to the animals. They're fast, they climb walls, they jump, the adults even fly a bit, and they get loose. They can't just be scooped through a screen like mealworms, and dumped in a bowl. They're insane to try to corral, worse than crickets.
They are an INCREDIBLE pain in the arse to actually feed off to the animals. They're fast, they climb walls, they jump, the adults even fly a bit, and they get loose. They can't just be scooped through a screen like mealworms, and dumped in a bowl. They're insane to try to corral, worse than crickets.
Golden Gate Geckos
Mean Old Gecko Lady
I have been feeding my adults superworms and crickets, but I need mealworms for the babies. They aren't all accepting crickets. I will not use lobster roaches because they climb, and I don't want to smear Vaseline all around the edges of my 500+ rack tubs. I have used discoids and orange head roaches, but only some of my geckos will eat them.
BTW, I spoke to a person at the company I have been getting my mealies from. It appears that it was insecticide in the feed/bedding that was the culprit in the mealworm shortage. I have been stressing out over the number of egg failures and deformities I've had going on this season, and wonder if there is a correlation??? As soon as I have more information, I may post something on the BOI about it.
BTW, I spoke to a person at the company I have been getting my mealies from. It appears that it was insecticide in the feed/bedding that was the culprit in the mealworm shortage. I have been stressing out over the number of egg failures and deformities I've had going on this season, and wonder if there is a correlation??? As soon as I have more information, I may post something on the BOI about it.
dprince
New member
That's very interesting, Marcia!! Please do post when you have more information.
There are many species of roaches
Blaptica dubia is a good roach as are Blatta lateralis. Blatta lateralis are non glass climbing fast breeding roaches roughly cricket size. Very inexpensive in large lots. Blaptica dubia are another non climbing slow moving roach. Not quite so crunchy as discoids. The dubia are so popular they are the only feeder we produce in house. We do however sell many species of feeders. Superworms are superior to mealworms in everyway and easy to breed. When breeding your own supply you can have them in all sizes from very small to ready to pupate. Dubia do dig however. Lateralis do not dig or burrow. For those who say their animals wont eat them just dont feed anything else for a week or so and they will come around.
Crickets and mealworms are nutrionally inferior to the other animals mentioned. To say that you have raised healthy animsls on crix and mealies just shows the ability of the animals to make do with what they have not the quality of the crickets or mealworms.
Digby Rigby
[email protected]
Blaptica dubia is a good roach as are Blatta lateralis. Blatta lateralis are non glass climbing fast breeding roaches roughly cricket size. Very inexpensive in large lots. Blaptica dubia are another non climbing slow moving roach. Not quite so crunchy as discoids. The dubia are so popular they are the only feeder we produce in house. We do however sell many species of feeders. Superworms are superior to mealworms in everyway and easy to breed. When breeding your own supply you can have them in all sizes from very small to ready to pupate. Dubia do dig however. Lateralis do not dig or burrow. For those who say their animals wont eat them just dont feed anything else for a week or so and they will come around.
Crickets and mealworms are nutrionally inferior to the other animals mentioned. To say that you have raised healthy animsls on crix and mealies just shows the ability of the animals to make do with what they have not the quality of the crickets or mealworms.
Digby Rigby
[email protected]
Golden Gate Geckos
Mean Old Gecko Lady
I called Sunshine Mealworms and got a recorded message that says they found pesticide in their mealworm bedding. (800)-322-1100
heh.
heh.
KelliH
doesn't drink the koolaid
It's so comforting to know that we were feeding our geckos pesticide infected mealworms.
I Breed My Mealworms In Bedding I Make Myself None Have Died I Wonder iF sOME One Put Pesticide On Mealworm Bedding On Purpose
shrap
Freelance Philosopher
Strazo said:
Most of the worm farms use bran to raise their mealworms in. It is cheap, inexpensive and one of their natural foods. I am sure the pesticide originated at the mill itself in an attempt control what occurs naturally.
I highly doubt it was done maliciously. Most likely pesticide treated bran was accidentally sent to the worm farms when untreated bran was supposed to be shipped. Good ol' human error was most likely the culprit here. Either in shipping the wrong bran or the wrong bran getting treated with pesticide and then shipped.
thereddog
New member
mealworm shortage
Is there still a mealworm shortage, or are the available again? I haven't been effected, as I have been able to get, but not near the quantities you guys have been talking.
Is there still a mealworm shortage, or are the available again? I haven't been effected, as I have been able to get, but not near the quantities you guys have been talking.
offroad537
New member
I breed crickets and meal worms and roaches for my animals. That way i have different food to feed my animals. It gives me something to do and I can feed my animals when ever i want and i don't have to worry about going to the pet shop or buying over price live food from a breeder. But it does it old breeding meal worms. But i still do it for my animals. I mite start my own meal worm business.