A waxworm (galleria mellonella) is the larvae of the wax moth. They get their name from the habit of eating beeswax. These insects act as parasites for bee colonies, as they will chew on the wax used by bees to construct honeycombs.
If you want to care for waxworms, whether because you are using them to feed a pet or simply because you appreciate these insects, this guide will give you all the information you need to know.
This care sheet details information about the diet and habitat of this creature (see link also “Cricket Care Sheet“ link).
Waxworm Care Sheet
Appearance
Waxworms are small or medium-sized caterpillars that typically have a white or yellowish hue. The feet of these insects will be tipped in black.
The head of this worm tends to be darker than the rest of its body, often being brown.
Diet
During the larvae stage, you will not need to give any food to your waxworm. The reason for this is that the wax moths will survive on their fat reserves.
At this stage of their life cycle, waxworms will no longer eat food. The longer you keep the insect, the smaller it will become.
Lifespan
Typically, waxworms will only survive for a week or two weeks. If they make it to this stage, they will transform into greater wax moth.
They pupate quickly, especially in a cool basement or in a place like a wine cooler. If you don’t have that, you can consider opening your refrigerator door.
NOTE: If you keep your waxworms at room temperature, they will eventually start to spin cocoons.
Importance As Feeder Insects for Reptiles
Waxworms have always been used as one of the feeder insects of captivity-raised reptiles. They have become so popular and one of the major reasons is their nutritional make up: a very high fat content and moderate protein.
Hence, they can be an excellent choice in supplementing the diet of reptile species including some species of geckos, dragons and turtles that need more fat in their diet.
Waxworm Uses
Fishing
One of the main uses of the waxworm is fishing. These insects are commonly sold in a pet store, or a fishing store, where they can be used as bait. These larvae are regularly referred to as “waxies”.
It’s worth noting that these worms will only attract certain types of fish. Namely, they can be used to catch certain types of sunfish, green sunfish, or panfish.
Gut Loading
Gut loading is a process that is regularly used by pet owners who are caring for reptiles, such as geckos and chameleons. Essentially, it is the process of ensuring that the live prey of a pet is fed and eats nutritious food so that the pet can absorb these nutrients.
Gut loading will not be necessary for waxworms. As mentioned, these worms do not eat during this stage. As a result, you can simply feed the worm directly to your reptile.
Though many reptiles will happily consume waxworms, it’s important to note that this is not a nutritional option. Waxworms do not offer much nutritional value and tend to be high in fat. This could cause your reptile to put on fat, potentially leading to obesity.
Habitat
Suitable Containers for Waxworms
Choosing the proper container helps significantly when breeding wax worms. In general, plastic tub is preferred with tight lids since they are sturdy and easy to clean.
Note that the container should be big enough to accommodate the right number of waxworms you want to raise without overcrowding it. Besides that, ensure that your container has good ventilation to avoid moisture accumulation and the growth of mold.
You can put small holes throught the top of sides to provide good air movement for your waxrooms.
Bedding Options
Bedding materials for waxworms is very critical to their health and growth. It could be oatmeal, bran or a mix of the two. These materials provide a nutritious substrate that shall be consumed by waxworms.
Fill the container with a few inches of your chosen material and spread it around. This is often laid down with a few pieces of wax paper over the bleeding to control the amount of moisture, making things a little easier to clean at times.
Importance of Ventilation and Cleanliness
Maintaining proper ventilation and cleanliness is vital for the health of waxworms. That said, containers should be kept clean by taking out wastes, left-over foods, and dead worms regularly maintain hygiene.
The bedding material must also be kept fresh and changed regularly so the waxworks will always have a fresh, nutrient-rich medium to live in.
Temperature
The perfect temperature for waxworms would be in the range of 55°F and 60°F/ 13°C and 15°C. Such a temperature is apt for their growth and development.
At temperatures below 60°F or 15°C, the metabolism rate of the worms is very low. Temperatures higher than 85°F or 29°C stress them out and increase the mortality rate. You can maintain the optimal temperature by using a thermometer to check the temperature of the environment and then making relevant changes.
Ideal Humidity Levels
Waxworms are very sensitive to the amount of humidity in their environment. For waxworms, the ideal range low humidity is usually between 60-70%.
Low humidity might make them dehydrated and slow-growing. On the other hand, an extreme level of humidity would likely bring about mold and other diseases. Check the proper humidity using a hygrometer.
In case the humidity is low, you can increase it using a wet sponge or even a paper towel in the same container. Ensure that it does not come into contact with the bedding. If the humidity is too high, one can improve ventilation or learn how to use a dehumidifier for proper moisture-balancing.
Monitoring Tools
This will require monitoring tools like a thermometer and hygrometers. The thermometer shows the temperature inside the container and allows one to lower temperatures to maintain the ideal temperature for waxworms.
A hygrometer measures humidity levels; therefore, you know if you want to alter the environment for growing waxworms. Keeping a regular check on such conditions will help ensure that your waxworms remain healthy and agreeable, thus offering you a reliable food source for your reptiles and amphibians.
Feeding and Nutrition
Waxworms are feeder insects, so, for their growth and nutrition, a proper diet is necessary. The inclusion of food they ingest, which contains mainly carbohydrates with high water content, is essential.
A good diet includes sliced apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes. These fruits and vegetables provide the right amount of nutrients. They also supplement the hydration levels of the worms.
However, you should note that the primary diet of these insects is grain, bran, and oatmeal. Make sure not to overfeed them, though, because if there is excess food present, then mold may start growing inside a container.
It is also good to rotate the kinds of food so that the diet can be quite varied.
Nutritional Benefits for Reptiles
Waxworms are very nutrient-rich and offer a host of benefits when fed to reptiles. They are an excellent source of both protein and fat, which makes them rather useful to reptiles that require a high-energy diet.
It is in this high-fat content, in particular, that the worms will benefit reptiles that are thin or need an extra boost of energy. Moreover, waxworms contain many significant vitamins and minerals that contribute a lot to the overall health and well-being of the reptile.
Feed your reptilian pets waxworms to ensure brilliant growth, better skin, and good reproductive results.
Frequency and Portion Size Recommendations
Consider the size and frequency of waxworm portions, not forgetting that the diet of your reptiles should always remain varied. Offering waxworms should not be more frequent than one or two times a week for most reptiles.
The meal size should be appropriate for the size and species of reptile. As an example, smaller reptiles, like geckos or baby snakes, might get by with a diet of one or two waxworms per feeding. These soft, high-fat larvae make a great treat for reptiles because of their high energy content.
However, their diet needs to be balanced, so variety needs to be provided. Working with a mix of feeder insects will provide diversity in the feeding so that your reptile is guaranteed to get many of the essentials.
It is always good to monitor your reptile’s health and adjust accordingly the frequency and portion sizes in feeding in order to prevent obesity and bring a balance into the diet.
One Thing to Remember: Waxworm Is a Treat.
Wild reptiles can become spoiled if they regularly consume waxworms. They will happily eat these fatty and juicy insects, meaning that they may refuse to eat other sources of food.
As a consequence, it’s advised that you reserve waxworms as occasional treats for your reptile. If you want to increase the nutritional value of these worms, you can dust them in a calcium supplement.
To feed these insects to your reptile, grab a pair of tongs. Then, carefully grab the worm using the tongs and slowly place it into the habitat.
You may want to place it in a specialized bowl or different container with curved edges, which will prevent the worm from escaping. If you feel comfortable, you can use your hands to handle the worms, but this is not recommended.
If your reptile does not eat the worm, you should remove it from the container after a while. It’s best to do this daily.
Disposal
If you need to dispose of a live waxworm, you should refrain from releasing it into the natural wildlife. This Is because it could disrupt natural food chains.
Instead, it is recommended that you freeze the worm in a bag and then place it in a garbage bag.
Final Thoughts
If you want to feed your reptile live waxworms, you will need to know how to properly care for these creatures. The good news is that waxworms are fairly easy to care for, as they won’t require any food.
Regardless, you will need to follow the above advice to ensure that your waxworms are well-kept and healthy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Waxworms Bite Humans?
Though waxworms have small mandibles, they will not bite humans. These weak mandibles are unable to do any real damage to humans or any pets.
What Are Waxworms?
The two main purposes of waxworms are to act as bait in fishing or be used to feed other pets. Specifically, these insects are often used as live bait.
They will not only feed reptiles but these worms can also be served to amphibians and birds.
Can Leopard Geckos Eat Waxworms?
Yes, these worms are suitable for leopard geckos. Due to the high-fat content of waxworms, gecko owners should not regularly feed worms to their reptiles.
Instead, they should only be occasional treats that your leopard gecko will enjoy. If your gecko eats these insects too often, it will likely become obese.
Are waxworms high in fat?
Yes, waxworms really have very high fat content, which makes them absolutely perfect for providing energy to reptiles. Compared to other things, they are better at feeding reptiles that need a little weight or extra energy.
