Something fishy with my superworms?

[xkris]

This is a pack of superworms, they are in rice bedding and get fresh veggies every 2-3 days. I change the rice every couple of weeks. There are about 30 of them in there, started with 100. I noticed in the bottom, there is a thin white dust film. Is this mites or dust from rice? If its mites, is there a way to clean worms or should I just throw it all away before it spreads to my dubia...and everywhere else? Pls help.

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[persistent]

I would expect it's just powdered rice?
Mealworm colonies which have been going for a short while always have a layer of "dust" on the bottom which is just excrement and food leftovers.

 

[xkris]

They are superworms, not mealworms. But aside from that, I certainly hope that its just leftover food.

 

[Kazaam]

Those are leftovers of the food, bread isn't the only thing that leaves crumbs you know.

 

[ShaunT]

I have kept superworms in the past. The stuff in the bottom is frass. Just poop and dust. Nothing to worry about. I kept mine in oats they seem to like it more than rice. Hope this helped.

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[Spepper]

They are superworms, not mealworms. But aside from that, I certainly hope that its just leftover food.

Superworms are just mealworms on steroids, basically.

 

[hibiscusmile]

If it is mites, and that many you would be able to feel them on the side of the container when u pick it up , also if you look closely, u should be able to see them move.

 

[xkris]

Thank you very much for giving me peace of mind. I did look at the dust, like very closely. no moving, nothing. i kept mine also in oats, and mine also loved it. the problem was i had it mold fast. its like it absorbs moisture from veggies and molds asap. so i changed to rice. less mold that way.

 

[Smokehound714]

It's frass.. Nothing to worry about.

the only mites you're really likely to see in the colony will be grain mites, which are harmless (but if you DO find them, seal all your cereals and grains, and bread, as they can ruin your pantry in a single week)