Are lesser mealworms going to cause problems in a roach colony?

1Lord Of Ants1

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Messages
310
A few weeks ago when my shipment of roaches came, I saw a couple dozen lesser mealworms and a good amount of adult stow-aways. I said what the heck, and threw them back in with the roaches. Today I did a small cleaning and a check up, and was satisfied by how many dubias I now have, but was surprised that I already have at least a thousand lesser mealworms in varying stages. Much more than I remember. Question - will these do any harm to the roaches like feed on newborns? They do make good ant food though!
 

ZephAmp

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
530
Nope! These are a godsend in any roach colony. Unlike dermestids, they are omnivores and will eat all sorts of debris, including roach frass. The larvae are excellent feeders. They will sometimes nibble at roach food (especially grain-based diets) but will spend much more time eating dead roaches and frass.
 
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