{"product_id":"dried-calciworms-for-inverts","title":"Dried Calciworms For Inverts","description":"\u003cp\u003eCalciworms - also known as soldier fly larvae - are the dried larvae of the black soldier fly (\u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens\u003c\/em\u003e), and they're one of the most useful supplementary foods you can keep on the shelf for invertebrates. What sets them apart from mealworms and other dried feeders is calcium - gram for gram they carry many times more of it, along with around 40% protein. That combination of high protein and high calcium in a single food is unusual, and it's exactly what a lot of our animals need to grow, moult, and breed well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it is:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dried black soldier fly larvae (\u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Protein and calcium supplementation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKey nutrition:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~40% protein, naturally very high in calcium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCalcium to phosphorus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Positive ratio - rare among feeder insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Isopods, millipedes, cockroaches, beetle larvae, springtails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow often:\u003c\/strong\u003e As an occasional supplement, not a staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool, dry, and sealed - keeps for months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50g, 100g, 250g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Calciworms For Invertebrates?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost keepers reach for a protein food like fish flake or dried shrimp now and then, and rightly so - but the majority of feeder insects have an inverted calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, meaning they actually work against calcium levels rather than for them. Calciworms are the exception. They carry a genuinely positive calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, so they top up protein and calcium at the same time, which matters enormously for any invertebrate that has to rebuild a shell or exoskeleton every time it moults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my experience, a varied diet is the single biggest driver of breeding, and consistent breeding is the clearest sign that a colony has settled. Calciworms are one of the ingredients I rotate through to keep that variety up. They sit alongside the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/collections\/accessories\"\u003edrygoods and accessories range\u003c\/a\u003e rather than replacing leaf litter and rotting wood, which should always form the bulk of what your animals eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding Different Animals\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIsopods.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is where calciworms earn their place. Protein-hungry species like our best-selling \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/products\/dairy-cow\"\u003eDairy Cow isopods\u003c\/a\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePorcellio laevis\u003c\/em\u003e) have a high protein requirement, and an underfed \u003cem\u003ePorcellio\u003c\/em\u003e colony will start nibbling tankmates or each other - so a regular protein source is genuinely important, not just a nicety. The whole \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/collections\/porcellio-isopods\"\u003ePorcellio genus\u003c\/a\u003e benefits. For the calcium-hungry side of the hobby - \u003cem\u003eArmadillidium\u003c\/em\u003e morphs like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/products\/magic-potion-isopods\"\u003eMagic Potion\u003c\/a\u003e with their thick, mineral-heavy shells, and the limestone-cave \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/collections\/cubaris-isopods\"\u003eCubaris species\u003c\/a\u003e such as Panda King - calciworms double up as a protein treat and a calcium source in one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMillipedes.\u003c\/strong\u003e A millipede's long, many-segmented exoskeleton is calcium-hungry, and calcium supports healthy moulting across the board. Crushed calciworms scattered on the substrate are readily taken by most of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/collections\/millipedes-for-sale\"\u003emillipedes\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCockroaches and beetle larvae.\u003c\/strong\u003e Growing grubs and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/collections\/cockroaches-for-sale\"\u003ecockroaches\u003c\/a\u003e put protein to work quickly, and calciworms are an easy, mess-free way to deliver it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpringtails.\u003c\/strong\u003e They won't tackle a whole larva, but \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/collections\/springtails-for-sale\"\u003espringtails\u003c\/a\u003e will happily graze on softened, rehydrated pieces alongside the microfauna already breaking them down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow To Feed Them\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI feed calciworms in small amounts on the drier side of the enclosure, where they won't spoil as fast. For smaller species and mancae, crush or crumble them so the pieces are manageable; for larger \u003cem\u003ePorcellio\u003c\/em\u003e and millipedes you can offer them whole or lightly broken up. If you want them taken faster, a quick soak in a little water softens them and releases more scent, which tends to bring animals up out of the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe golden rule with any dried food is not to overdo it. Offer a little, let the colony work through it over a day or two, and remove anything left uneaten before it draws mould. As a supplement fed a couple of times a week alongside a good base of leaf litter and rotting wood, calciworms slot neatly into a varied diet without any risk of overfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStorage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKept somewhere cool, dry, and sealed, dried calciworms last for months without any special handling - no refrigeration needed. Reseal the bag after each use to keep them dry and to preserve the scent that makes them appealing in the first place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are calciworms?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalciworms are the dried larvae of the black soldier fly (\u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens\u003c\/em\u003e). They're also sold as soldier fly larvae, black soldier fly larvae, BSFL, calcium worms, or soldier grubs - all the same thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre calciworms good for isopods?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They're an excellent supplementary food for isopods, providing both the protein that species like \u003cem\u003ePorcellio laevis\u003c\/em\u003e need and the calcium that all isopods need for healthy moulting. Feed them as an occasional supplement rather than a staple, keeping leaf litter and rotting wood as the base of the diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo calciworms have more calcium than mealworms?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, considerably more - calciworms carry many times the calcium of mealworms, and unlike most feeder insects they have a positive calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. That's the main reason to choose them over mealworms as a supplement for moulting invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I feed calciworms to invertebrates?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a supplement rather than a staple - a small amount a couple of times a week works well for most colonies. Leaf litter and decaying wood should still make up the bulk of the diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I feed dried calciworms to millipedes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Millipedes benefit from the calcium for their long exoskeleton and moulting. Crush or crumble the larvae and scatter them on the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo calciworms need to be soaked before feeding?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot necessarily - most invertebrates take them dry. Soaking softens them and releases more scent, which can help if you want them eaten faster or if you're feeding smaller species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I store dried calciworms?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep them cool, dry, and sealed. They'll last for months with no refrigeration. Just reseal the bag after each use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PostPods","offers":[{"title":"50g","offer_id":57674016293246,"sku":null,"price":1.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":57674016326014,"sku":null,"price":3.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"250g","offer_id":57674016358782,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/products\/dried-calciworms-for-inverts","provider":"Isopods For Sale UK | PostPods","version":"1.0","type":"link"}