Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ Waxworms

**ALWAYS OPEN LIVE INSECTS OUTSIDE OR OVER ANOTHER CONTAINER**

Waxworm question quicklinks:

To help you navigate our frequently asked questions on Waxworms so you can find your answer more quickly

• What are waxworms?
• Nutritional Information for Waxworms:
• What do waxworms turn into?
• How do I store my waxworms?
• What do waxworms eat?
• Are waxworms high in fat?
• Are waxworms treats?
• Are waxworms good for my pet?
• Are waxworms the same as black soldier fly larvae or butterworms?
• What happens if my order arrives dead?
• What if I receive the wrong item?
• What if I receive someone else’s order?

What are waxworms?

Waxworms are the larval stage of the Achroia grisella or the lesser Wax Mox. They can also be the larval form of the Galleria mellonella or the greater Wax Moth; they are both commercially bred. Waxworms are a small maggot type insect that looks similar to nutrigrubs but are nutritionally quite different.

Nutritional Information for Waxworms:

• Moisture 58.5%
• Protein 14.1%
• Fat 24.9%
• Ash 0.6%
• Fiber 3.4%
• Calcium 243mg/kg
• Phosphorous 1950mg/kg 

What do waxworms turn into?

Waxworms are the larvae of the wax moth. If left to their own devices they will pupate and turn into wax moths, which are small moths that don't live very long and are still edible for your animal if wanted to feed them off.

How do I store my waxworms?

Waxworms will arrive in a small plastic container with a sawdust substrate. They can be kept in the box without needing to be fed or hydrated, but they should be kept cold. The fridge door is the ideal place to store them to stop them from pupating and turning into moths.

What do waxworms eat?

Waxworms generally eat a mix of grains, bran, and honey, which is what they arrive in. You don't need to add any food yourself as they don't need to eat very much, and they can easily survive on what's provided with them.

Are waxworms high in fat?

Yes, despite their small size and their resemblance to nutrigrubs, they have a high percentage of fat compared to the other nutritional elements they contain. 

Are waxworms treats?

Yes, waxworms are generally considered to be treats for animals that consume insects. They have a high percentage of fat compared to other feeders. Butterworms are high in fat, but waxworms are even higher.

Are waxworms good for my pet?

Nutrition-wise, waxworms are suitable for any insect-eating animal; they are well balanced when it comes to calcium, protein, and other vitamins. The high-fat content is the only drawback which makes them a treat option.

Are waxworms the same as black soldier fly larvae or butterworms?

No, they are three different insects with different nutritional values. Black soldier fly larvae are the same as nutrigrubs and are low in fat as well as being high in calcium. Butterworms are larger than waxworms, slightly lower in fat and orange-colored compared to waxworms that are creamy white.

What happens if my order arrives dead?

Every effort is always taken to ensure that your order arrives alive, we always pack more bugs into our shipments just in case. On the off chance that your order does arrive dead, just send us a photo of the dead bugs in the container they came in and we will send you a replacement or issue you a credit on your account as long as the package has not been left outside to sit for longer than 1 hour.

What if I receive the wrong item?

If you receive the wrong item, please send us a message with your order number, the item you received, and the item you were supposed to receive. We do make mistakes, but we would be happy to send a replacement order.

What if I receive someone else’s order?

This doesn’t happen very often, but there is always a chance we may mix up a packing slip or shipping label. If this happens, just send us the order number of the order you received, and your order number so we can send a replacement order.

If you have any questions that haven't been answered here, go to the page for your product in question and scroll to the customer reviews and post your question there.