Dried mealworms are a popular food choice for wildlife, and if you’re the adventurous type, can be a healthy snack. One question that often comes up is whether to put them in the fridge or not. Would it better to do so?
Dried mealworms can last a long time in room temperature. But refrigeration extends their shelf life and protects them from temperature fluctuations.
Should You Refrigerate Mealworms?
There are a lot of factors to consider. But I always put them in the fridge because it provides a lot of benefits. Here are the most important ones:
Longer shelf life: the best reason to refrigerate dried mealworms is to extend their shelf-life. While they can remain edible when stored at room temperature, refrigeration preserves their quality and nutritional value for longer periods. This is particularly true during summer when temperatures soar.
Keep pests away. Keeping dried mealworms in the fridge also prevents ants and other bugs away. If you leave mealworms on the countertop, it probably won’t be long before insects and other pests smell it.
Related. Do Mealworms Carry Bacteria?
Maintain nutritional value. Mealworms are nutritious and healthy, and they’ll stay that way longer when kept in a cool, dry place. All those vitamins and nutrients won’t last if mealworms are kept in room temperature for a long time.
Preserves texture and taste. Just like other foods, mealworms retain their crunchiness and texture when kept cold. If left out for too long, mealworms turn rancid and stale. It’s not dangerous but it won’t taste as good.
Is Refrigeration Required?
While refrigeration offers a lot of benefits, it is not required. You can store dried mealworms in an airtight bag and keep it in a cupboard or pantry for example. As long as it is cool and dry the mealworms will be fine. No need to worry about losing nutrients or taste.
In the end it’s really a matter of personal preference. I like to keep mine in the fridge for the reasons cited earlier. Also if you live in a warm climate, then it’s a good idea to keep dried mealworms in the fridge. This is the best way to prevent them from spoiling or losing nutrients and flavor.
Of course if you plan to consume the mealworms right away, there’s no need to put them in the fridge. In that case you can eat the mealworms (or give them to your pet). Just make sure to reseal the container so pests don’t get drawn to it.
Where to Store Dried Mealworms
Whether you have dried mealworms for snacks, for animal feed or fishing bait, proper storage is important. It makes all the difference in terms of making them last.
Container: Use an airtight container designed for dried foods. Food-grade plastic containers with tight-fitting lids or glass jars with rubber gaskets are ideal options. Make sure the container is clean, dry and free from any odors or contaminants.
Cool and dry location: Once stored, keep the mealworms away from direct sunlight and moisture. Those are the two things that can spoil it. Room temperature is fine if it doesn’t get too hot in your area.
Refrigeration: If you live in a warm and humid climate or want to store them for a long time, refrigerating is the best option. Refrigeration prolongs their shelf life by slowing down the degradation process. Just make sure the container is securely sealed to prevent any moisture absorption.
Freezer: Freeing mealworms preserves them for up to a year. I prefer this option if you bought a lot of mealworms and need to store them for months.
Place them in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. It is important to thaw the mealworms at room temperature before it is consumed.
Safety Tips
Avoid Contamination: To prevent cross-contamination and prolong their shelf life, avoid storing dried mealworms near strong-smelling foods. Keep it away from materials that may transfer odors. You also want to protect the container from rats, ants and other pests.
Monitoring: Regularly check the stored mealworms for signs of spoilage. Mold growth, an off odor or discoloration are signs of spoilage. Discard the mealworms if you notice any of these. Do not give them to pets or livestock as they will get sick.
By following these proper storage guidelines your dried mealworms will remain fresh, nutritious, and free from spoilage. This way, you can feed them to your pets or enjoy them as snacks.
Why are My Mealworms Dying in the Fridge?
There could be several reasons why your mealworms are dying in the fridge. Here are some possible explanations:
Temperature: Mealworms thrive in warm temperatures, typically between 80-90°F (26-32°C). Placing them in the fridge in temperatures around 40°F (4°C), can be detrimental to their survival. The cold environment can slow down their metabolic rate and lead to dormancy or death.
Humidity: Mealworms require a certain level of humidity to survive. The fridge is generally dry since it is meant to keep moisture out. If the humidity is too low, mealworms can become dehydrated and die.
Lack of food: Mealworms feed on various organic matter such as grains, vegetables, and fruits. If there is no food available in the fridge, they will not last.
Contamination: If the mealworms were already dying or contaminated before being placed in the fridge, they will perish regardless where they are stored.
Longer exposure: Mealworms can handle cooler temperatures for brief periods, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can be harmful. So a fridge or freezer really isn’t the place to keep live mealworms. Freeze dried mealworms yes, but not live ones.
If you want to keep live mealworms healthy, the best place to put them is a bin or mealworm farm. Provide food, bedding and they will be fine. If you just bought dried mealworms however, these will be fine in a fridge or freezer.
Are Refrigerated Mealworms Dead?
Commercially sold freeze dried mealworms are already dead and cannot be revived. The processes they went through stopped all biological activity so they cannot be revived.
Mealworms are cold-blooded insects, which means their body temperature is regulated by the environment. They are most active and thrive at room temperature (around 70°F or 21°C). If exposed to temperatures below their comfort range for an extended period, they can become dormant.
This dormant state is similar to hibernation or a deep sleep. Here their metabolic activity slows down and they conserve energy.
Dormancy
Refrigerating mealworms can cause them to enter this dormant state. They become less active, move slowly and appear lifeless.
But this doesn’t mean they are dead. The cold temperature slows their metabolism and preserves them for longer periods. This is not the same process that commercially available dried mealworms go through, as those are dead.
You can tell if a mealworm is dead or dormant by touching it. If the mealworm responds, it is alive. If not, it is dead. If you want to bring those dormant mealworms back to life, take them out of the fridge.
Keep them at room temperature or about 70F (21C) and give the mealworms food. They will wake up slowly and resume activity. They also need hydration to stay healthy
If mealworms are kept too long in the fridge, they may perish. Even in a dormant state, mealworms cannot survive if the temperature gets too cold. How long mealworms can stay dormant depends on how healthy they were prior to entering dormancy.
Conclusion
Refrigerated mealworms can appear dormant or lifeless due to the cold temperature affecting their metabolism. But they are not the same as the dried mealworms you buy for pets. Those you can safely put it in the fridge or freezer and not worry they are dormant.
