SUPER WORMS (Zophobas Morio)
To guarantee that your super worms remain at their utmost condition upon their being delivered to you, please follow these steps.
Prepare for their arrival. Prior to the delivery of your super worms. Set up an enclosure in which your super worms will be housed; this includes having the bedding, food, and water sources that your super worms require prepared and ready to be placed in their enclosure upon their arrival. Make sure that someone will be present at the time of delivery to accept and properly care for the super worms.
*** Super worms CANNOT be refrigerated and will die if they are. *** Super worms require a large, spacious, well-ventilated, clean enclosure. A 24 inch (60.96 cm) deep, 73 Qt, clear-plastic Sterilite® container - - that has been washed with hot water to remove the plastic scum and dried - - will make the perfect enclosure for up to 5,000 super worms of any size. To prevent cannibalism, only super worms of the same size can be housed together, e.g. ½ inch (1.27 cm) super worms with ½ inch (1.27 cm) super worms and 1 ½ inch (3.81 cm) super worms with 1 ½ inch (3.81 cm) super worms. Super worms are unable to scale the smooth plastic sides of their enclosure; however, a framed, metal-mesh, insect screen can be placed directly on the top of the enclosure, to permit for excellent ventilation and to prevent the entrance of any foreign objects into the enclosure. Place the super worm enclosure in a dry, inside location that is between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius) and that is free from draft, direct-sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. The temperature within the enclosure should also remain between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius).
Super worms require bedding in which they can burrow and a large continuous supply of clean, fresh food and water. Super worms have voracious appetites and will quickly eat each other if they have no access to food. Table bran, baby cereal, or ground oat meal make the perfect bedding and food sources for super worms. Freshly halved apples or squash are the perfect water source for super worms. Commercially produced and marketed super worm beddings, diets, and water gels can instead be offered.
Super worms are packed and shipped in cardboard boxes containing cardboard partitions and egg crates. When your super worms are delivered, immediately bring them inside and transfer them to their prepared enclosure by opening the top of the super worm box, using a knife or razor blade to cut the tape along the top of the box, and gently pulling open all of the box’s top flaps. Once the top of the super worm box has been opened, flip the super worm box upside down directly over the super worm enclosure, and shake and smack the bottom of the box with the palm of your hand until all of the super worms and box’s contents have dropped into the enclosure. Be sure to pull up the box’s inside bottom flaps to ensure that all the super worms have been removed from the box. The super worms will not be harmed by the smacking and shaking of the box, nor by their drop into the enclosure.
Once all of the super worms and box’s contents have been transferred into the enclosure, set the box aside and shake each cardboard partition and egg crate within the enclosure to remove any super worms from them. Once shaken, place the cardboard partitions and eggs crates outside the enclosure, remove any waste materials that may be present (i.e. dead super worms and/or uneaten potato), and dispose of them along with the empty shipping box, cardboard partitions and egg crates, that have been set aside. For every thousand super worms, pour 2 inches (5.08 cm) of bedding directly onto the enclosure’s floor, on top of the super worms. Once poured, shake the super worm enclosure to level the bedding. Then add the water source by placing halved apples or squash - - cut-side down - - directly on top of the bedding’s surface. The super worm bedding will break down into a fine dust as the super worms consume it. It should be replaced on a weekly basis, or when conditions become unsanitary, by sifting the super worms from it, using a kitchen strainer. Once the old bedding is separated from the super worms, the old bedding can be disposed of, and the super worms can be reintroduced into the enclosure with the new bedding. The super worm water source will disappear into the bedding as the super worms consume it and it should be replaced daily, when it runs-out, or when conditions become unsanitary.
Super worms require excellent ventilation throughout the enclosure; therefore, do not cover the top of the super worm enclosure with anything other than a framed, metal-mesh, insect screen, which will prevent foreign objects from entering.
Place the super worm enclosure on a flat surface in an inside location that is between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius) and that is free from draft, direct-sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. The temperature within the enclosure should remain between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius). Super worms generally will not pupate from worm to pupa to beetle within the enclosure.
The daily removal of any dead super worms and/or unconsumed water sources from the surface of the bedding will reduce the presence and growth of mold, bacteria, pests and pathogens, all of which are detrimental to the health of super worms. In addition to this daily removal of waste, the entire super worm enclosure must be washed using hot water and an antibacterial soap (e.g. Liquid Dial® Soap), and the super worm bedding replaced weekly or when conditions become unsanitary. It is imperative that the washed super worm enclosure be free from any soap residue and thoroughly dry prior to the reintroduction of any super worms.
Super worms will become dormant in cold temperatures; therefore, when super worms are delivered in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), immediately bring the super worms inside and place the unopened box of super worms directly next to a constant heat source of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) and in an area that is free from draft, direct-sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. Allow the super worms to warm up in the unopened box for 3 hours. After 3 hours, open the top of the super worm box by cutting the tape along the top of the box and pulling open all four of the box’s top flaps. If all of the super worms are completely active (i.e. the super worms are crawling around the inside of the box), the super worms can be transferred to their housing container as described in step #4. If after 3 hours of warm-up, all of the super worms are not completely active (i.e. the super worms are moving slowly, are motionless, or appear dead lying on their backs), close and re-tape the box, and return it to the heat source where the super worms can warm up directly beside it for another 3 hours. Repeat the warm-up process until all the super worms have become completely active, which may take up to 24 hours.
The super worm shipping box is constructed for the transportation of super worms rather than for the housing of super worms. Upon being packed within the shipping box, super worms will immediately attempt to escape from the box by looking for any openings, which they will quickly create by chewing through the walls of the box. Super worms will also quickly eat each other once they have consumed any water and food source provided. Super worms should not be housed within their shipping box, but rather be transferred to an enclosure. If they are to be housed within their shipping box it is imperative that it is done for the shortest period of time possible and that the super worms are kept in a well-ventilated, dry, inside location that is between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius), and that is free from draft, direct sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. It is also imperative that the super worms be provided with a fresh, clean, water and food source on a daily basis. A quartered potato or apple works well for their hardness prevents them from turning to mush and they are resistant to mold and bacteria growth. To provide the boxed super worms with the fresh, clean water and food source, place the super worm box on a flat surface and open the top of the super worm box, using a knife or razor blade to cut the tape along the top of the box, and gently pull open all of the box’s top flaps. Once the top of the super worm box has been opened, quickly remove and discard any uneaten food within the box’s inside corner cavity and replace it with the water and food source. Quickly close and re-tape the box and return it to its original location.
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SUPER WORMS (Zophobas Morio)
To guarantee that your super worms remain at their utmost condition upon their being delivered to you, please follow these steps.
Prepare for their arrival. Prior to the delivery of your super worms. Set up an enclosure in which your super worms will be housed; this includes having the bedding, food, and water sources that your super worms require prepared and ready to be placed in their enclosure upon their arrival. Make sure that someone will be present at the time of delivery to accept and properly care for the super worms.
*** Super worms CANNOT be refrigerated and will die if they are. *** Super worms require a large, spacious, well-ventilated, clean enclosure. A 24 inch (60.96 cm) deep, 73 Qt, clear-plastic Sterilite® container - - that has been washed with hot water to remove the plastic scum and dried - - will make the perfect enclosure for up to 5,000 super worms of any size. To prevent cannibalism, only super worms of the same size can be housed together, e.g. ½ inch (1.27 cm) super worms with ½ inch (1.27 cm) super worms and 1 ½ inch (3.81 cm) super worms with 1 ½ inch (3.81 cm) super worms. Super worms are unable to scale the smooth plastic sides of their enclosure; however, a framed, metal-mesh, insect screen can be placed directly on the top of the enclosure, to permit for excellent ventilation and to prevent the entrance of any foreign objects into the enclosure. Place the super worm enclosure in a dry, inside location that is between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius) and that is free from draft, direct-sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. The temperature within the enclosure should also remain between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius).
Super worms require bedding in which they can burrow and a large continuous supply of clean, fresh food and water. Super worms have voracious appetites and will quickly eat each other if they have no access to food. Table bran, baby cereal, or ground oat meal make the perfect bedding and food sources for super worms. Freshly halved apples or squash are the perfect water source for super worms. Commercially produced and marketed super worm beddings, diets, and water gels can instead be offered.
Super worms are packed and shipped in cardboard boxes containing cardboard partitions and egg crates. When your super worms are delivered, immediately bring them inside and transfer them to their prepared enclosure by opening the top of the super worm box, using a knife or razor blade to cut the tape along the top of the box, and gently pulling open all of the box’s top flaps. Once the top of the super worm box has been opened, flip the super worm box upside down directly over the super worm enclosure, and shake and smack the bottom of the box with the palm of your hand until all of the super worms and box’s contents have dropped into the enclosure. Be sure to pull up the box’s inside bottom flaps to ensure that all the super worms have been removed from the box. The super worms will not be harmed by the smacking and shaking of the box, nor by their drop into the enclosure.
Once all of the super worms and box’s contents have been transferred into the enclosure, set the box aside and shake each cardboard partition and egg crate within the enclosure to remove any super worms from them. Once shaken, place the cardboard partitions and eggs crates outside the enclosure, remove any waste materials that may be present (i.e. dead super worms and/or uneaten potato), and dispose of them along with the empty shipping box, cardboard partitions and egg crates, that have been set aside. For every thousand super worms, pour 2 inches (5.08 cm) of bedding directly onto the enclosure’s floor, on top of the super worms. Once poured, shake the super worm enclosure to level the bedding. Then add the water source by placing halved apples or squash - - cut-side down - - directly on top of the bedding’s surface. The super worm bedding will break down into a fine dust as the super worms consume it. It should be replaced on a weekly basis, or when conditions become unsanitary, by sifting the super worms from it, using a kitchen strainer. Once the old bedding is separated from the super worms, the old bedding can be disposed of, and the super worms can be reintroduced into the enclosure with the new bedding. The super worm water source will disappear into the bedding as the super worms consume it and it should be replaced daily, when it runs-out, or when conditions become unsanitary.
Super worms require excellent ventilation throughout the enclosure; therefore, do not cover the top of the super worm enclosure with anything other than a framed, metal-mesh, insect screen, which will prevent foreign objects from entering.
Place the super worm enclosure on a flat surface in an inside location that is between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius) and that is free from draft, direct-sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. The temperature within the enclosure should remain between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius). Super worms generally will not pupate from worm to pupa to beetle within the enclosure.
The daily removal of any dead super worms and/or unconsumed water sources from the surface of the bedding will reduce the presence and growth of mold, bacteria, pests and pathogens, all of which are detrimental to the health of super worms. In addition to this daily removal of waste, the entire super worm enclosure must be washed using hot water and an antibacterial soap (e.g. Liquid Dial® Soap), and the super worm bedding replaced weekly or when conditions become unsanitary. It is imperative that the washed super worm enclosure be free from any soap residue and thoroughly dry prior to the reintroduction of any super worms.
Super worms will become dormant in cold temperatures; therefore, when super worms are delivered in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), immediately bring the super worms inside and place the unopened box of super worms directly next to a constant heat source of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) and in an area that is free from draft, direct-sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. Allow the super worms to warm up in the unopened box for 3 hours. After 3 hours, open the top of the super worm box by cutting the tape along the top of the box and pulling open all four of the box’s top flaps. If all of the super worms are completely active (i.e. the super worms are crawling around the inside of the box), the super worms can be transferred to their housing container as described in step #4. If after 3 hours of warm-up, all of the super worms are not completely active (i.e. the super worms are moving slowly, are motionless, or appear dead lying on their backs), close and re-tape the box, and return it to the heat source where the super worms can warm up directly beside it for another 3 hours. Repeat the warm-up process until all the super worms have become completely active, which may take up to 24 hours.
The super worm shipping box is constructed for the transportation of super worms rather than for the housing of super worms. Upon being packed within the shipping box, super worms will immediately attempt to escape from the box by looking for any openings, which they will quickly create by chewing through the walls of the box. Super worms will also quickly eat each other once they have consumed any water and food source provided. Super worms should not be housed within their shipping box, but rather be transferred to an enclosure. If they are to be housed within their shipping box it is imperative that it is done for the shortest period of time possible and that the super worms are kept in a well-ventilated, dry, inside location that is between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 and 32.2 degrees Celsius), and that is free from draft, direct sunlight, pesticides, fumes, smoke, and/or pests. It is also imperative that the super worms be provided with a fresh, clean, water and food source on a daily basis. A quartered potato or apple works well for their hardness prevents them from turning to mush and they are resistant to mold and bacteria growth. To provide the boxed super worms with the fresh, clean water and food source, place the super worm box on a flat surface and open the top of the super worm box, using a knife or razor blade to cut the tape along the top of the box, and gently pull open all of the box’s top flaps. Once the top of the super worm box has been opened, quickly remove and discard any uneaten food within the box’s inside corner cavity and replace it with the water and food source. Quickly close and re-tape the box and return it to its original location.