As with any feeder insect, it is critical that you provide your mealworms a high-quality diet.  When you purchase your mealworms, they are often lacking in the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your pet needs.  Feeding your insects a high-quality diet is called gut-loading and is critical to the overall health your pet - you want to ensure that you providing the maximum nutrition possible.  You are what you eat!  

In our discussion about housing mealworms, you will have come across the substrate mixture that Dr. Gecko uses.  With this method our mealworms are constantly gut-loaded.  Some individuals though will want to raise their mealworms in a basic substrate and will want to gut-load small amounts separately.  This works just as well and you can use the same substrate as we mentioned.  You can also mix in with your basic substrate the  Ultimate Feeder Insect Diet  which we highly recommend.  There are also many commercial diets available.  Mealworms will eat the substrate that you house them in.

Providing moisture is also necessary.  We like to provide moisture by using the fruits and veggies that can be found in the Ultimate Feeder Insect Diet.  Some individuals choose to provide moisture with something as simple as a slice of carrot.  Simply rest this slice of food on the surface of the substrate.

Be sure to remove and replace fresh fruits and veggies daily to prevent the harmful buildup of potentially dangerous pathogens.  Do not offer water in small containers/dishes.  Also be sure to replace and replenish your substrate regularly.