They are called "flour" beetles. Rather unlikely that in their normal
way of life they would encounter such juicy tidbits as fruit and
veggies. They can survive without treats, and without an outside source
of water. However, when raising them to feed our critters, it's a good
idea to gut load them. I toss potato peelings (they particularly like
to tunnel in hard potato parts caused by my erratic microwave, and sweet
potato/yam skins), apple cores, greens, carrot peelings, bread crusts,
"dust" from the bottom of the dry cat food bag, leftover calcium or
vitamin powder used for dusting, on top of their tub. I leave the tops
off the tubs, so it doesn't get moist enough to rot or mold the food.
If you leave a large potato skin or a small plastic jar cap on top they
will congregate under it and you won't have to hunt around for them. To
raise your own, get a top ready with oats or bran. Then when your worms
"bolt", put the pupae (little mummy "sleeping bags") or adult beetles in
to breed. Start a new tub every month, and you'll always have worms of
the right size on hand.
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