Out of Mealworms

[aimee]

So, what is this "nation wide shortage" of mealies??? What the heck?? :frusty:

Anyone know where I can actually order a large quantity of mealies?

A

[leogirl14]

bigappleherp.com

[leogirl14]

you can get them by the thousands

[Chandler Rep]

Wow all my normal haunts are out too....very very strange....

[aimee]

bigappleherp.com

Nope...

from their site,


IMPORTANT: We Regret That Due To A Serious Nationwide Shortage of Mealworms And More Than A 300% Increase In Mealworm Orders We Have Run Out of Mealworms. We Are in the Process of Harvesting More and Will Change This Message When They Become Available.

Consider Purchasing Can O' Worms In Bulk From The Can O' Foods Page Located In "May We Also Recommend" Below.

[BalloonzForU]

I use www.timberlinefisheries.com and they are out too, but I get supers from them more than I get mealies. Have you tried Super worms?

[Chandler Rep]

Flukers site said to call for pricing and reptile food is just like all the others just out...if from an increase we could be looking at the same thing with the rodents that used to be just a few months every season that now seems to happen at any given time for no reason....

Makes me wonder if there is just one huge company (or just a particular area) out there that breeds them for all the other suppliers that may have gotten some of the bad weather as of late....rain on us, heat in the east, snow in the Catskills, etc...

[sputnik]

You don't produce your own Jeff?

[Mad4You2]

I was wondering what was up with that too....I called Armstrong's 2 weeks ago and the first thing Tammy told me was that they were out of mealworms. I got Supers and Giants and crickets. The Supers seemed smaller than usual this shipment. The Giants look good...I put them in the fridge and only take out what I need for a couple of days and gutload them. I was lucky that I had a huge crop of tiny babiy mealies for the new MHD hatchlings.

[alexhue]

there are only 2-3 large producers of mealworms in this country...everyone else buys and resells from these 2-3.

we buy 100,000 plus a week......this "national shortage" BS is tearing into my pockets......getting sick of being told "in a couple of weeks".

Greeedy bastardages

[MrsWTownsend]

I ordered crickets today from a new source: cricketfactory.com

Dan (guy I talked to on phone) told me that apparently the food that the vast majority of suppliers uses was contaminated and killed them all. He says he has mealies 1000/ $17.50 but the smaller sized supers are just as good, have softer chiton AND aren't all dead.

[AneesasMuse]

No wonder my regular feed store tried to sell me 100 for almost $10 today! :tsk: I may have to try the Supers for my chickens ..all the herps eat various roaches and "soft" worms.

[sputnik]

there are only 2-3 large producers of mealworms in this country...everyone else buys and resells from these 2-3.

we buy 100,000 plus a week......this "national shortage" BS is tearing into my pockets......getting sick of being told "in a couple of weeks".

Greeedy bastardages


My dad keeps a lot of live feeder eating birds, he and a number of people got tired of mealworms and how slow they produce and started breeding MAGGOTS!

Yes, you heard right.... bred in wet/damp bran, no fruit needed to be added. They smelt less then mealworms and they produced very easily and incredibly quickly. I still remember seeing the tubs full of them all squirming around. The larvae are clean because they are kept on bran. You could probably google it to find out more, but some people might consider it or maybe not. You just need a garage or building to do it in.

Not for everyone of course, some probably couldn't even stomach the idea.... but he never had a shortage of live feeder worms.

[Chandler Rep]

You don't produce your own Jeff?

I did....then got a mass die off from something along with this fruit fly colony in them from hell....gave Mike what I had left of them when I got rid of the rest of my leos....

Scott I have heard of the maggots in the past and I don't think people would be that disgusted once they learn all the ins and outs....I found the mealworms to be worse during the summer time....can't ever get rid of that smell in the back of my nose....not as bad as crickets but not as nice as roaches....:brick:

[Mad4You2]

I just talked to Armstrong's Crickets in West Monroe, LA and ordered my weekly shipment of crickets and got some giant mealworms...I asked them if the feed killed all the mealies and she said that she honestly didn't know but they were getting their inventory built back up. I asked if they grow their own and she told me that they did. I felt like they did because in the past I have asked them for some tiny baby mealies for my hatchlings and they would do a special cup for me with dinks in it. Maybe it won't be too much longer. In the meantime for you guys that don't need huge amounts- I noticed that our Wal Mart still has them in the bait fridge in the sporting goods department.

[tokaysunlimited]

I ordered crickets today from a new source: cricketfactory.com

Dan (guy I talked to on phone) told me that apparently the food that the vast majority of suppliers uses was contaminated and killed them all. He says he has mealies 1000/ $17.50 but the smaller sized supers are just as good, have softer chiton AND aren't all dead.
Exactly what my guy told me locally.

[sputnik]

I did....then got a mass die off from something along with this fruit fly colony in them from hell....gave Mike what I had left of them when I got rid of the rest of my leos....

Scott I have heard of the maggots in the past and I don't think people would be that disgusted once they learn all the ins and outs....I found the mealworms to be worse during the summer time....can't ever get rid of that smell in the back of my nose....not as bad as crickets but not as nice as roaches....:brick:

The maggot larvae breding is from memory, cleaner then breeding mealworms, but it would only work in the summer in most parts of the US. You'd probably still be ordering during the cooler months, unless you maybe lived in FL, TX and areas that can support flies all year round.

I figured Jeremy would probably try in the kitchen!

[tokaysunlimited]

The maggot larvae breding is from memory, cleaner then breeding mealworms, but it would only work in the summer in most parts of the US. You'd probably still be ordering during the cooler months, unless you maybe lived in FL, TX and areas that can support flies all year round.

I figured Jeremy would probably try in the kitchen!

I actually thought about it.Ill just stick with butter worms.
But i could send some maggots to my freind and have him check out the nutritional contents.

[aimee]

Umm... aren't pheonex worms the larval form of the Black Soilder fly???? (So, that would make them maggots.....)

But, yes, in the cooler months, they are dormant if bred in an unheated building.

[sputnik]

I actually thought about it.Ill just stick with butter worms.
But i could send some maggots to my freind and have him check out the nutritional contents.

How does he check the nutritional aspect?

[Cool Evil Liz]

How does he check the nutritional aspect?I want to know who HE is?

[sputnik]

I want to know who HE is?

Being it's Jeremy, probably some freaky guy! :scared:

[Cool Evil Liz]

Being it's Jeremy, probably some freaky guy! :scared: Oh so his friend is himself:lol:

[tokaysunlimited]

Scott he told me and got really geeky when i talked to him last.And i may have had a few beers.Let me get him on the forum.

[sputnik]

Scott he told me and got really geeky when i talked to him last.And i may have had a few beers.Let me get him on the forum.

A few huh? LOL

Yeah, good idea.... get him on! :nerd:

[NicoleO]

I called LLLReptiles the other day and they acted like they knew nothing about the worm shortage but they said they have giant mealworms if anyone's looking. NYWorms is supposed to be sending me a shipment of giant mealworms on Monday so we'll see how that goes. Hopefully this shortage won't last to much longer because the stress of trying to find worms is killing me.

[Mad4You2]

Armstrong's has had giants this whole time....if you guys are looking.

[Otter_23]

You could try the bug company. Also if you are really stuck let me know I have a colony going and I don't have much to feed them too.

[NicoleO]

The bug company was out until recently. I know the store that I usually buy my worms from got giant meal worms recently but nothing smaller. The only option I have at the moment when I can't find worms is to buy several different types of feeders for all the kids which is annoying more than it is anything but we do what we have to in these situationsto keep them fed.

[AneesasMuse]

What's getting to me is, they are readily shipped to the stores ...but they are holding out on the customers that buy bulk from the source. I mean, I understand the "greed factor" of big business, but it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

Obe and Tahti just don't understand why Mom is rationing out the mealie treats these days :heh:

[MrsWTownsend]

Well, I know there are quite a few places online that offer supers in various sizes. From the info I've been given it's only the meal worms that were hit~ the giants and supers were not affected.

[bassett524]

the big places are the ones really suffering. Liek alex saying he orders 100,000 a week. that would suck to try and find replacements... I have a good friend who works for the Indianapolis Zoo and he says it's killing them. They're really strapping to find worms, they go through easily over 500,000 a week he says.

my colony I got from jeff was destroyed by my dog, so now I'm trying to build it back up. But at work we're still getting typical shipments, actually more than average.

[MrsWTownsend]

Yeah~ they're feeding the new batches growth hormones until they can get their inventory back on track. LOL

[Bigheinzer]

ok so this finally kicked me in the balls today. i am out meal worms. anyone know who has them now? or has giant mealworms available? my leos are all afraid of superworms so they're out of the picture. there's a guy like 20 miles away that breeds mealworms but he just creeps me out way to much to have to deal with him

[MrsWTownsend]

Boy, you are not kidding!

I just did a massive search~ pretty slim pickins out there~ even flukers are only selling large supers now~ I'll bet that's 'cause everyone is buying smaller sizes to replace mealies.

http://www.nyworms.com/index.html <-- website doesn't say jack about being out of anything and they have giants listed

http://wardsci.com/product.asp?pn=IG0011614&sid=google&cm_mmc=google-_-cpc-_-ward-_-mealwormlarvae&bhcd2=1215564067 <-- weird source but has potential

http://petclick-petshop.stores.yahoo.net/timgianmeal5.html <-- expensive, but not listed as backordered

Still looking...

http://store.wormbiz.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=wormbiz&Category_Code=CANDY <-- mmmmm yummy...

[ReptileMan27]

Good luck lol , I couldnt find any so had to order some crix :(, hate dealing with cricket in large numbers but dont have a choice,the leos have got to eat..

[Kagome100]

heh im going crazy here i need 1k meal worms but can't get any :( cause all the places i did get some dont have none..

i got one gecko that wil ONLY eat worms so its hard to feed her. and my BD's are so dang picky they some times only want worms... its crazy. Im trying to breed my own worms its not to hard just takes for ever.

[tokaysunlimited]

heh im going crazy here i need 1k meal worms but can't get any :( cause all the places i did get some dont have none..

i got one gecko that wil ONLY eat worms so its hard to feed her. and my BD's are so dang picky they some times only want worms... its crazy. Im trying to breed my own worms its not to hard just takes for ever.

Get pheonix worms....If the leo's dont eat them i would be shocked!

[Kagome100]

Get pheonix worms....If the leo's dont eat them i would be shocked!

well be shocked cause my one gecko wont eat them, i all ready tired, the pet shop here gets them in and i tired them. She will only eat meal worms, no supers heh.. My BDs will eat any worm tho.

[tokaysunlimited]

well be shocked cause my one gecko wont eat them, i all ready tired, the pet shop here gets them in and i tired them. She will only eat meal worms, no supers heh.. My BDs will eat any worm tho.

Have you tried silkies or butterworms???

[Kagome100]

Have you tried silkies or butterworms???

I tired silkies but not butters. maybe i need to try them out.

[Bigheinzer]

NYworms is OOS (out of stock) i emailed yesterday they have nothing. There's a local shop the guy said he found a place in cali and he's ordering from them. i said i'd take a thosuand and he looked at me like the biggest wierdo. he said he'd call...

i am sure this guy doesn't sell a 1,000 every three months. oh well wait and see crix it is. i'll try supers again now that they're grown up some more

[Bigheinzer]

I should add I've never been in this shop before and I just met the owner.

[Bigheinzer]

just got home from PetStupid and spent 9 bucks on 24 large crickets and 50 super worms. that's 33% of what I spent on 1,000 GIANT Mealworms shipped.

rip off

[Chandler Rep]

Dan if they eat crickets you may want to try some roaches....I have some and I am only kinda weird.....lol...could mail you some to try out and if they do we can talk colony after that....

[Mad4You2]

Hi...I talked to Armstrong's in W. Monroe LA today when I ordered crickets and asked if they had mealworms yet. She said that they did not. I told her that I needed them for my Leo's and had been ordering from them for almost 3 years so I needed to know when they would have them available again...she said to try back in August. Gotta love that, huh? I didn't ask today but they have had bulk giant mealworms and superworms every time that i've ordered them. I'm glad I had the tiny mealworms in the colony going so I can feed the baby MHDs!

[Bigheinzer]

Dan if they eat crickets you may want to try some roaches....I have some and I am only kinda weird.....lol...could mail you some to try out and if they do we can talk colony after that....

there's a guy on kingsnake selling lobsters 1000 asst for $20

[kare]

there's a guy on kingsnake selling lobsters 1000 asst for $20

LOL - I don't think you want lobster roaches, they can get out....get some dubia or lateralis from Jeff - non-climbers -

[Chandler Rep]

there's a guy on kingsnake selling lobsters 1000 asst for $20

Lobsters are like some std's, once you get them you will always have them....in your shoes, the sock drawer....lol

I only have dubia now, they are the slower of the 2 non climbers....the adults get big but it is the babies and sub adults that you would want for food....

I know Kare and Bonnie both have lateralis so if you go that route you can try those from them....but they maybe to fast for adult leos....

[kare]

Lobsters are like some std's, once you get them you will always have them....in your shoes, the sock drawer....lol

I only have dubia now, they are the slower of the 2 non climbers....the adults get big but it is the babies and sub adults that you would want for food....

I know Kare and Bonnie both have lateralis so if you go that route you can try those from them....but they maybe to fast for adult leos....

Agreed the lateralis are too fast for the leos....but the Ackies LOVE them. LOL. Scott has dubia, lateralis and several types of hissers...

[aimee]

Thankfully, my drawers are still producing and I only need to supliment a little with crickets.

The local shop here said that Timberline said it could be next year before they are back to normal levels. Sunshine (ahh... to already be a customer brings a smile to my face :icon_lol: ) said check in August.

I am trying to get a 3rd drawer back up. I think I got a bad batch right at the end of the ordering and it killed a drawer. :frusty:

Ahh,,,, and the leo eggs are starting again!!! More babies, more worms, more......

But, I finally cleared anough hatchling space for the ball eggs I have cooking.

A

[MrsWTownsend]

just got home from PetStupid and spent 9 bucks on 24 large crickets and 50 super worms. that's 33% of what I spent on 1,000 GIANT Mealworms shipped.

rip off

Next time bring lubricant! I have the same experience locally~ I'm lucky, in that I'm not feeding anyone mealies at all~only supers, crickets & earthworms as main staples.

I trying to get my own roach colonies going~ turns out I'm not good at keeping roaches alive (go figure)...

[MrsWTownsend]

I haven't called this company but as far as I can tell they've got mealies. I think these are the ones you're looking for and not the Supers.

http://cccricketfarm.com/products/mealworms

[RKB1985]

The lady I get my rodent supplies and what not from had mealworms today when I met up with her. I don't know if she ships or not but she's really nice and has always took care of me. Here's her site: http://dhookventures.com/

[aimee]

I hope, for you, she doesn't,. As she will get hit hard with orders now.:bolt:


(But not by me)

[tokaysunlimited]

BUTTERWORMS/PHEONIX WORMS!!!!





Nuff said.:peace:

[Mad4You2]

I went to the Lone Star Reptile Expo today at the Elk's Lodge in Arlington Texas....picked up a 100 count colony of Dubia roaches and some information from the breeder. So far I picked out a few medium sized ones for the Beardies and they LOVED them. Bob hasn't shown that much interest in food in a long time...really seemed to perk them up. One of the yearling MHDs ate a small one....that's kind of amazing since they are still on the hunger strike....the adults and the yearlings both are still not eating since the cage cleaning for the adults and the move for the yearlings. The hatchling continue to eat iike pigs of course. So....just wanted to let you guys know that I've gone over to the dark side and obtained the recommended roach colony!

[kare]

I went to the Lone Star Reptile Expo today at the Elk's Lodge in Arlington Texas....picked up a 100 count colony of Dubia roaches and some information from the breeder. So far I picked out a few medium sized ones for the Beardies and they LOVED them. Bob hasn't shown that much interest in food in a long time...really seemed to perk them up. One of the yearling MHDs ate a small one....that's kind of amazing since they are still on the hunger strike....the adults and the yearlings both are still not eating since the cage cleaning for the adults and the move for the yearlings. The hatchling continue to eat iike pigs of course. So....just wanted to let you guys know that I've gone over to the dark side and obtained the recommended roach colony!

LMAO! At Tinley, last year, Scott sold out of roaches. His motto was; "Got bugs or lizards? You need roaches!" Botar by 8 (he has since sold out his business) was referring people to us! I'm not an "invert" fan, but those critters do love roaches! They are so much "cleaner" than crickets...and only the hissers make noise, sometimes.

[AneesasMuse]

Everything here goes nuts for the Dubias ..over all the other roach colonies I have going... they prefer the Dubs ..and so do I (for cleanliness, gutloading approach, and silence) :thumb:

[Damnitbonnie]

Everything here goes nuts for the Dubias ..over all the other roach colonies I have going... they prefer the Dubs ..and so do I (for cleanliness, gutloading approach, and silence) :thumb:

Are those slower than the lateralis? I have the lateralis and those guys are fast.

[Chandler Rep]

Are those slower than the lateralis? I have the lateralis and those guys are fast.

Like night and day....dubias are like tortoises compared to the lateralis.

[AneesasMuse]

Are those slower than the lateralis? I have the lateralis and those guys are fast.

Jeff already answered, but yeah! ...Dubias are like snails or torts in comparison. I have both ..and Hissers ...and Lobsters. I LOVE my Dubias!! :D

In fact, I've been slowly getting rid of the Lateralis and Lobsters ...and I only keep the Hissers cuz Big Black Betty is my favorite'st bug EVAR!!! :lol:

[sputnik]

I've been slowly getting rid of the Lateralis and Lobsters

Yeah, we got rid of those Lobsters.... quick little turds and turdettes. :lever:

[RKB1985]

I hope, for you, she doesn't,. As she will get hit hard with orders now.:bolt:


(But not by me)

LOL.. You almost jinxed me!!!!! :moodbanghead: :boxing:

Long story short, wasn't to worried about it b/c last time we bought some the Cham's wouldn't eat them. Anyways 'Sam and D' are bigger now and Denise had some, so thought we'd try them again. Now Sam and D are all over them and what little we got wasn't going to last long. So I called Denise to get some more and found out she usually doesn't ship, as she isn't set up for CC's or paypal yet. Lucky for me, being a regular customer she said she'd ship them knowing she'll get her money. :icon_pray:

For those in the greater Mid-MI area, I ordered a bunch in case there were others who needed them. Just let me know. :icon_pidu: