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Answers
Jun 29, 2019 - 01:54 PM
Yes, they sure can, though we only recommend them when bran is not an option.
Oats tend to be a bit harder and so while worms can eat them they are more difficult for the worms to chew.
The other drawback to oats is that they tend to be denser not allowing heat and moisture to leave your setup. This can lead to fungus and bacteria growing on the bedding and be harmful to your colony.
The best food we have found for them is either wheat bran or wheat middlings. If you have a feed and grain store near you; you will be able to purchase it there very inexpensively (less expensive than oats even!). Just be sure to bake it at 175° for about 20 minutes and allow to cool before using.
If you are going to use oats be sure they are all natural with no added flavors or chemicals added (under ingredients it should read either "oats" or "rolled oats" and nothing else).
Oats tend to be a bit harder and so while worms can eat them they are more difficult for the worms to chew.
The other drawback to oats is that they tend to be denser not allowing heat and moisture to leave your setup. This can lead to fungus and bacteria growing on the bedding and be harmful to your colony.
The best food we have found for them is either wheat bran or wheat middlings. If you have a feed and grain store near you; you will be able to purchase it there very inexpensively (less expensive than oats even!). Just be sure to bake it at 175° for about 20 minutes and allow to cool before using.
If you are going to use oats be sure they are all natural with no added flavors or chemicals added (under ingredients it should read either "oats" or "rolled oats" and nothing else).
Apr 12, 2022 - 06:26 PM
It's going to sound like we're 'anti-oats' but you need to be very careful when the particles are too small. When the bedding has too much 'dust' sized particles they will plug up the spiracles (breathing pores) in your worms and they will die very rapidly.
We have had customers try using flour only to find their mealworms are stiff just a few hours later.
If you grind your oats, do it in a food processor and only for a second to ensure your particles stay roughly chopped and not atomized.
We have had customers try using flour only to find their mealworms are stiff just a few hours later.
If you grind your oats, do it in a food processor and only for a second to ensure your particles stay roughly chopped and not atomized.
Jan 16, 2023 - 12:18 PM
No, only 100% natural oats should be used. Any preservatives, minerals, or additives can be harmful to mealworms.
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I bought horse feed oats with preservative added. Can I feed to mealworms.
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Is the preservative added to horse feed oats okay for meal worm food
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