I asked the company, Rainbow Mealworms, if there could be any likelihood of them escaping and multiplying in the yard if I just set the live worms on the ground instead of a feeder. The rep said, no. Now that I re-read the answer, I see the veggies are indeed intended for moisture:
Mealworms rely on grain for their food and a water source like cactus or vegetation like carrots and potatoes.
In the wild, if they can find a grain storage area (like for chickens or birds) they will live very happily (but not as far as the humans are concerned!).
They can also live under decaying wood like logs and in animal dens eating decaying leaves and grasses, but the protein content generally isn’t high enough and they will not survive long term.
They need a warm habitat of 75 to 85° to thrive and breed.
It is difficult to find the right conditions for them to thrive in the wild as most climates are either too hot, too cold and don’t have adequate grain/protein sources for them to breed and thrive.
Sincerely,
Gillian Spence Rainbow Mealworms, Inc…
Customer Support
email: support@rainbowmealworms.net
Phone: (310) 635-1494 Text: (480) 409-2347
Website: www.rainbowmealworms.net