Live Mealworms
Live Mealworms
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The Best 1-2 Day Ground Shipping Rates
This rate is an estimate for a standard 3 lb package (11x11x6). The most accurate delivery rate is calculated at checkout.
Premium feeder insects from our family farm in Dunn, NC. Clean, highly nutritious, and easy to keep — the classic favorite feeder for leopard geckos, bearded dragons, wild birds, chickens, frogs, and fish.
Why Buy Our Live Mealworms for Sale?
- High protein & healthy fats — excellent for building weight and energy
- Long shelf life — easily store dormant in the refrigerator for weeks
- Quiet, clean, & odor-free — zero noise and simple container upkeep
- Ideal for gut-loading — absorbs vitamins and nutrients quickly before feeding
Size Chart – Pick the Perfect Fit
Mealworms are slender and easy to swallow. When in doubt, select a size smaller than the space between your pet's eyes.
Small ≈ 10–12mm (3/8")
Best for: hatchlings, small geckos, dart frogs, nano pets, and small songbirds
Tiny & tender starter size
Medium ≈ 18–20mm (3/4")
Best for: juvenile leopard geckos, sub-adult dragons, middle-sized reptiles, and poultry treats
★ Most popular versatile size
Large ≈ 25–30mm (1"–1.25")
Best for: adult bearded dragons, larger lizards, wild bird feeders, chickens, and fishing bait
Maximum meat & protein for bigger appetites
Nutrition Snapshot
Typical as-fed values for healthy Live Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor):
- Protein: 19–21%
- Moisture: 60–62%
- Fat: 13–15%
- Fiber: 2–3% (Chitin)
Always dust with calcium powder before feeding. Gut-load 24–48 hours prior for maximum nutrient transfer to your pets.
Live Mealworms vs Live Crickets
- Refrigerable storage — keep them dormant for weeks in the fridge without daily feeding
- Zero jumping or escaping — smooth, slow-moving feeders that stay in shallow bowls
- Quiet & completely odor-free — no chirping, no smell, no noise
- Extended shelf life — significantly lower die-off rate than crickets
- Easier target for pets — perfect for slow-hunting or elderly reptiles
How to Keep Them Alive Longer
- Refrigerate for long-term storage: Store in the fridge (40°F–50°F) to slow down their metabolism and keep them in a dormant state for weeks.
- Provide bedding substrate: Keep them in wheat bran, oatmeal, or specialized mealworm chow.
- Weekly warming & hydration: Take them out once a week for 2–4 hours at room temperature and offer a slice of carrot or potato for moisture.
- Keep dry: Avoid excess humidity or open liquid water to prevent mold growth in the bedding.
Shipping & Live Arrival
Shipped from our farm in Dunn, NC with weather-aware packing. Strong ground rates across the Southeast. Live arrival guarantee when temperature guidelines are followed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size mealworm should I get for my leopard gecko?
Most juvenile geckos do best with Small (10–12mm), while sub-adult and adult geckos thrive on Medium (18–20mm). Always choose a mealworm no wider than the space between your gecko’s eyes.
How do I store mealworms in the refrigerator?
Keep them in a breathable plastic container with 1–2 inches of wheat bran substrate. Place them in the vegetable crisper drawer or door of your fridge (ideal temperature is 40°F–50°F). They will go dormant and can stay healthy for 4 to 8 weeks.
Do mealworms bite or harm my pet?
No, mealworms do not bite or harm your pet. However, as with any feeder insect, avoid leaving uneaten, unsupervised live mealworms roaming in your pet’s enclosure overnight. Feed them in a smooth-sided glass or ceramic escape-proof dish.
How long do mealworms last at room temperature?
At room temperature, mealworms will stay active, eat, and grow. They will eventually pupate into alien-like beetles after 2–3 weeks unless kept cold in the fridge.
Do I need to gut-load and dust mealworms?
Yes! Pull the quantity of mealworms you plan to feed out of the fridge 24 hours in advance. Let them warm up and feed on fresh carrots, squash, or mealworm chow. Lightly dust them with calcium powder right before offering them to your pet.
How is live arrival guaranteed?
We use weather-aware packing straight from our farm in Dunn, NC. If you experience issues upon arrival, submit clear photos within 24 hours of delivery, and our team will make it right (when temperature guidelines are followed).
From Our North Carolina Farm
Carolina Cricket Farm continues a multi-generational legacy of raising healthy live feeders. We apply the same high standards of cleanliness and care used for our famous virus-free crickets to our mealworms. Centrally located in Dunn, NC for fast, reliable shipping across the Southeast and beyond.
Available counts: 25 • 50 • 100 • 250 • 500 • 1,000+
Questions? Call 910.694.3025
Available counts
Available counts
Available counts
100
250
500
1000
2000
Size guide
Size guide
Size Guide & Description
- Extra Small (1st–2nd Instar) ≈ 1/4 in. Tiny feeders ideal for hatchling reptiles, dart frogs, baby spiders, and nano fish.
- Small (3rd Instar) ≈ 3/8 in. Great for juvenile geckos, small insectivores, and growing anoles.
- Medium (4th Instar) ≈ 1/2 in. A versatile, meaty size perfect for sub-adult geckos and young chameleons.
- Large (5th–6th Instar) ≈ 3/4 in. Ideal for growing bearded dragons, monitors, and larger amphibians.
- Extra Large (7th Instar/Pre-Adult) ≈ 1 in. For mature, very large reptiles and heavy insectivores.
- Adult (Fully Matured) ≈ 1.5 to 2 in. Ideal for massive reptiles or establishing your own breeding colony.
Why Choose Carolina Crickets Dubia Roaches:
- Superior Nutritional Profile: Boasts a much higher meat-to-shell ratio and higher protein content than standard crickets.
- Raised on a Premium Diet: Cultivated on a clean, strictly balanced plant-based diet to ensure high-quality, safe gut-loading.
- The Worry-Free Feeder: Unlike crickets, they cannot jump, fly, climb smooth plastic or glass, or bite your pets.
- Consistent Grading: Sorted accurately by size to guarantee predictable, safe feedings for your exotic pets.
What to Expect on Arrival:
Open your shipping box immediately upon delivery. Gently transfer your Dubia roaches into a smooth-sided, well-ventilated plastic or glass enclosure. Provide vertical cardboard egg crates to maximize climbing surface area. Offer a dry, high-quality grain diet alongside a safe moisture source like water crystals or fresh produce to prevent drowning. Note: Keep them in a warm environment, as they thrive and remain active at higher temperatures.
Count Policy and Care Note:
Counts are determined by volume and weight, allowing for minor variations due to the dense nature of live nymphs. While highly resilient, Dubia roaches are tropical insects; extreme external temperatures during shipping can impact live arrival. Please plan your orders with your local weather forecast in mind.
Quick Tip:
Because Dubia roaches are much wider and more heavily built than crickets of the same length, always measure the space between your reptile's eyes. If you are transitioning from crickets, err on the side of caution and buy one size smaller than you normally would to ensure safe swallowing.
Species & Product Details:
- Species: Blaptica dubia (Guyana Orange-Spotted Roach)
- Product: Live Feeder Dubia Roaches
- Uses: Bearded dragons, leopard geckos, chameleons, tarantulas, frogs, monitor lizards, and more.
Why choose Carolina Crickets
Why choose Carolina Crickets
Why choose Carolina Crickets:
Raised on a clean, balanced diet for vigorous, active feeders
Consistent sizing for predictable feedings
Carefully packed for safe transit
Family owned with a legacy of live feeder insect farming.
What to expect on arrival
What to expect on arrival
What to expect on arrival:
Open the shipping box right away and gently transfer to a ventilated container with egg crate or cardboard for climbing. Provide a dry food source and a safe water source such as water crystals or fresh produce. Keep them dry and well ventilated. Avoid standing water.
Count policy and care note
Count policy and care note
Count policy and care note:
Counts are measured by volume and may vary slightly due to the nature of live insects. Extreme temperatures can affect transit and holding conditions, so plan your order with local weather in mind.
Quick tip
Quick tip
Quick tip:
When in doubt between two sizes, choose smaller and offer a few more per feeding. It is safer and easier for most animals to take multiple smaller prey items than a single oversized one.
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