Canada's largest producer!
We offer quality larvae at the best price, delivered directly to your door every Tuesday with TriCycle's Live guarantee.
Live mealworms
Name: Yellow mealworm
Common larval name: Mealworms
Scientific name: Tenebrio molitor
Lifespan (larva): 12 to 16 weeks
The mealworm is an arthropod (like the shrimp) of the insect class. The mealworm develops in 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa and beetle. Larvae are what we feed to wild birds and pets.
Mealworms thrive in a warm, humid environment, but can easily adapt to room temperature. They will simply take longer to grow. However, it is advisable to avoid thermal shock, for example, by leaving your mealworms in their shipping box for an hour before opening it. You can store them in the fridge at 6-7° C to slow down their metabolism. You can also place them in an unheated garage or basement, provided the temperature doesn’t drop below 6-7° C.
Who loves meal worms?
- Bearded Dragon
- Chameleon
- Leopard gecko
- Crested gecko
- Box turtle
- Tarantula
- Hedgehog
- Fish
- Hen
- Bluebird
- Cardinal
Mealworms are an excellent source of protein (over 50%) and contain 9 amino acids, omegas 3 and 6, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium and prebiotic fibers that contribute to your pet’s intestinal health. It’s the perfect way to pamper your pet and keep it healthy!
How to install the mealworm storage container?
- Add a layer of about 1 inch of litter (i.e. wheat bran) to the plastic container.
- Gently move mealworms from shipping box to plastic container
- Add 1 or 2 pieces of carrot (change weekly or as needed)
Mealworms are most active at room temperature. If you plan to store them in the fridge or in a cold place, there’s no need to add a source of humidity. Before feeding your pet, place the mealworms at room temperature for about 24 hours to make them more lively and attractive to your pet.
Larvae like to eat cereals and grains, and will use them as bedding. Wheat bran is well suited to mealworms, but other fine grain products are just as suitable. If you wish to sieve them, make sure the litter is fine enough to pass through the mesh. We highly recommend offering them a water source with juicy vegetables such as carrots, romaine lettuce or potatoes. Replace them if they rot.
You can use any type of aerated container with smooth sides to prevent mealworms from escaping. A small glass aquarium or plastic container will do the trick. Make sure there is adequate ventilation. Mealworms breathe or suffocate just like us!
If you whish to keep your mealworms for longer than 2 weeks, we recommend keeping them at a temperature of 6-7° C to prevent them from turning into chrysalises and beetles. As they don’t eat much in a cold environment, we recommend putting them at room temperature for 24 hours. Add a source of moisture during this period to keep them hydrated. Return them to a cooler temperature after use.
Our mealworms are raised in food-grade plastic trays that are washed between each batch to ensure optimal hygiene conditions. In addition, our facility is licensed by the CFIA and MAPAQ.
We know that live insects are important for your pet’s health, which is why we guarantee delivery between 24 and 48 hours directly to your home. Live mealworms are shipped in bulk, in secure all-season packaging. All deliveries are sent by post on Tuesdays. Please note that orders placed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be processed on Tuesday of the following week.
If you have a documented problem with your order, TriCycle will offer a credit for the value of the purchase or replace the order. We’ll also add 20% extra insects to your next order!
Unfortunately, we cannot credit, refund or guarantee shipping costs. The delivery guarantee only applies to the first delivery attempt and if someone was present to receive the order.
If you find dead insects on arrival, please contact us by e-mail within 24 hours of receipt of the order, enclosing a photo.
No refunds can be made for incorrect addresses or missing delivery information when ordering.
TriCycle is a company located in Montreal, Quebec, whose mission is to draw inspiration from ecosystems to feed the World while reducing food waste. To achieve this, our circular economy farm can produce up to 25 tonnes of live larvae per year. We use food-grade plastic rearing trays to raise our mealworms. The trays are washed after each use to provide the best breeding environment for our mealworms.
Our mealworms are fed a rich, high-quality diet derived from food industry residues (grains and cereals, fruit and vegetables, spent grain). These allow us to have a significant environmental impact and reduce food waste. So you can feed your pet high-quality mealworms and help the planet at the same time!¹
1 According to a life cycle analysis of our farm operation, we can reduce greenhouse emissions of up to 10 kg eqCO2/kg of protein produced.
