If you are fresh to the insect buffet, relax—you are not alone. Though initially controversial, dried mealworms and black army fly larvae are wholesome ingredients for pets. The secret is presenting them such that your feathery, scaly, or furry companions will swallow them whole.

Start small and see.
Introduce these insects gradually regardless of your pet—bird, reptile, tiny mammal. Top your pet’s usual diet with a sprinkle of the dried mealworms or larvae. Look for interest; sometimes animals need time to befriend a new snack.

Add either sprinkle or mix in
Dried mealworms are ideal for birds and chicks blended into their normal diet or distributed foraging delight. On the coop floor, scatter black army fly larvae, then observe birds furiously scratching away. Love a few mixed into their seed bowls, parrots and parakeets do. Add some to their food dish or present on feeding tweezers for drama (and bonding!). For reptiles and amphibians!

Rehydrate for those with picky eating.
A few animals like softer treats. For a few minutes, soak dried mealworms or larvae in warm water; they will swell and make eating simpler. Older animals or those with more sensitive teeth and jaws will benefit greatly from this method.

As a hand-fed treat
Many small animals, such hamsters or hedgehogs, would eagerly grab dry insects straight from your fingertips. Use as a reward for excellent behavior or a bonding technique. It’s not surprising if your pet begins to link you with the best snack available worldwide.

Portionwise Sensibly
Though black soldier fly larvae and mealworms pack a lot of nutrients, moderation is essential. Rich snacks, these bugs are not designed to be a whole diet. Usually plenty for birds and rats is a teaspoon or so daily. Depending on their species, two or three times a week is a reasonable range for reptiles.

Sense of Storage
Maintain the crunchy nature of the bugs. Dried mealworms and larvae thrive in a cool, dry environment—in a sealed container far from moisture and sunlight.

Look for preferences.
Your pet may demonstrate clear preference for one or the other. The enjoyable aspect is that Let them vote with their taste and change next snack menus.

Next meal, toss some insect snacks and see how happy your pets are. Though little, black soldier fly larvae and dried mealworms provide great nutrition and enrichment; there is no squiggling needed from you here.