Join Us On Facebook
|
|
|
Alternative mealworm bedding
#834654
09/07/09 06:29 PM
09/07/09 06:29 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645 Ohio
Guerita135
OP
Glider Addict
|
OP
Glider Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645
Ohio
|
Due to the fact that aflatoxins are in most grains(the USDA requirement is 20ppm, which although it doesn't seem like alot, it can be deadly to gliders), I've been looking into alternative bedding sources. For my superworms I use coconut bark chips, so I started there and found a couple bedding options that I think it would be a good idea for us to look into. I've been searching around and, according to my research, the following substrates are all made to resist mold and to be able to handle high-humidity, so they would be good bedding options for mealies: Coconut Bark- http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11292Cypress Bedding- http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752444#prodTab1Sani-Chips- http://www.petdiscounters.com/c14/c18/Sani-Chips-p6128.htmlJungle Bedding(has a special calcium added to it, which could be good for mealies)- http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752443&lmdn=BrandI wrote the company to find out exactly what is in the Sani-Chips and Jungle Bedding, to make sure there's nothing that could be harmful to gliders. I'll let you guys know what they say. Anyways...if you have another good alternative bedding source or see something that could possibly be hazardous in the ones I listed, let me know!
~Nicole~ Proudly enslaved by lots of silly suggies, 3 crazy kitties, a huffy hedgie, and a pretty puppy!
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: ssdreamsicles]
#835000
09/08/09 12:26 PM
09/08/09 12:26 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645 Ohio
Guerita135
OP
Glider Addict
|
OP
Glider Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645
Ohio
|
I'm waiting to hear back from the manufaturer of the substrates to see if the sani-chips and Jungle Bed will be good for mealies.
Anyone else have any input? I was hoping more people might be interested in finding a safer, less mold-prone bedding for mealie farming. :\
~Nicole~ Proudly enslaved by lots of silly suggies, 3 crazy kitties, a huffy hedgie, and a pretty puppy!
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: Guerita135]
#835709
09/09/09 08:40 PM
09/09/09 08:40 PM
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
Nicole Coconut will most certainly mold.. you dont want to use that!
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: ]
#835714
09/09/09 08:51 PM
09/09/09 08:51 PM
|
7glider7
Unregistered
|
7glider7
Unregistered
|
I use oatmeal? Like Quaker oats?
I'm sure they could mold as well though...
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: ]
#835721
09/09/09 09:13 PM
09/09/09 09:13 PM
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
Yeah I think anything CAN mold... but I do not Coconut bedding will mold pretty quick.. I used it to retain humidity for my Day Gecko and I stopped cause it got uckky pretty quick!
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: ]
#835722
09/09/09 09:14 PM
09/09/09 09:14 PM
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
Jen I hear Oatmeal was a good bedding too... Nicole??
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: ]
#835731
09/09/09 09:24 PM
09/09/09 09:24 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645 Ohio
Guerita135
OP
Glider Addict
|
OP
Glider Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645
Ohio
|
I've heard that the USDA regulations allow for up to 20ppm of aflatoxins in oatmeal... What about the cypress chips Kris? Also, are you referring to the shredded coconut fibers or the chunks of the husk? I use the chunks for my supers and have never had any problems with moisture. If anything, it dries out way too fast.
~Nicole~ Proudly enslaved by lots of silly suggies, 3 crazy kitties, a huffy hedgie, and a pretty puppy!
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: Guerita135]
#835741
09/09/09 09:40 PM
09/09/09 09:40 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 712 Red Oak Texas
anjill_tree
Glider Guardian
|
Glider Guardian
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 712
Red Oak Texas
|
I use baby oatmeal, and wheat germ. Then place apple or carrots over night only, then take it out in am and make sure air can flow freely through the container, but keep temp about 77. Stir all your worms and bedding every day carefully. You'll have moist plump worms.
Cathy Hart Support Aspergers and Autism Research, help put the pieces together. www.hartlandsugargliders.comcathyhart2texas@yahoo.com 469-964-4152
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: Guerita135]
#835743
09/09/09 09:41 PM
09/09/09 09:41 PM
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
BabyLoveGliders
Unregistered
|
The shredded fibers is what i used... never tried the husks.
Marc uses cypress chips for his snakes.. and says he loves it.. he sprays water in their cages daily and has never seen mold.. I'm sure though anything would of course unattended but youre anal like he is! LOL
|
|
|
Re: Alternative mealworm bedding
[Re: ]
#835755
09/09/09 10:08 PM
09/09/09 10:08 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645 Ohio
Guerita135
OP
Glider Addict
|
OP
Glider Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645
Ohio
|
I read on the net that the shredded stuff(comes in a brick that you have to soak in water) gets moldy fast. The stuff I use(the NYWorms recommended) is the stuff in the link above. It's chunks of coconut bark. So, it provides shelter and will suck up any moisture, but it gets lots of air circulation, so it dries out way before mold would ever get a chance to form.
Do you think the cypress would be okay and healthy for mealies to chew on(since they tend to eat their bedding)? The coconut husk, I assume, is probably healthy. My supers eat it, but I wasn't sure about the wood.
I'm still waiting for a response from the company...
~Nicole~ Proudly enslaved by lots of silly suggies, 3 crazy kitties, a huffy hedgie, and a pretty puppy!
|
|
|
|
Please click above to see how you can help!!
|
|
0 registered members (),
545
guests, and 75
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
Owner,
Admin
|
|
Forums132
Topics10,374
Posts159,161
posts in the last 24hrs0
Members7,324
|
Most Online2,693 Jan 2nd, 2020
|
|
This site was tested and is best
viewed in Google Chrome & Mozilla FireFox
Download your copy today!!!
|
|
|