Can morio worms (Zophobas morio) be used as clean up crew?

Recently I was asked whether morio worms can be used as custodians in a leopard gecko setup, and I am happy to say the answer is, yes!

Morio worms, also sometimes known as superworms, can be valuable custodians in leopard gecko enclosures. All life stages can be beneficial. Morio worms are detritivores, meaning they feed on decaying matter like plant debris and faeces. By breaking down waste and consuming leftover food, they not only help fertilise the soil but also maintain a clean and healthy environment for your leopard gecko. Additionally, their tunnelling activities aid in soil aeration and nutrient cycling, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and creating a more natural habitat for the gecko.

Over the years I have had darkling beetles (the adult stage of the morio worm) live alongside my leopard geckos. Though my tanks aren’t fully bioactive, and I still have to remove most of the gecko’s waste, they have lived in harmony.

A fully bioactive tank with varying % of humidity, leaf litter, and other foods to maintain the clean up crew would be ideal, just make sure you don’t have too many beetles or too many worms in the tank. The beetles may die due to a lack of food, and the worms may get eaten and you may notice your gecko rapidly gaining weight.

If this happens, remove some of the beetles to a separate breeding tub and the worms to a feeder insect setup so you can feed them to your gecko occasionally as a treat.

With any bioactive system, however, it is important to remember you are the apex custodian, and must still remove waste if the clean up crew isn’t working efficiently and ensure your gecko lives in a clean and healthy environment.