Questions about raising Meal Worms

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chuckzoo

chuckzoo

Songster
10 Years
Apr 20, 2009
1,057
15
171
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
I am trying to raise meal worms and currently have them in wheat bran. I have a good many beetles but they appear to be dead. What is the life cycle and time for each phase? I understand the beetles lay the eggs, but how long to they live?

My meal worms are not getting very big either. How often to I need to sieve out the frass and won't I be throwing eggs away if I do?

I need as much info as you can provide please.

Thanks

Jenny
 
Are you providing apple and/or carrot as moisture/water source?

Look up posts by sillybirds here on BYC. A wealth of information.

JJ
 
No, when I did provide baby carrots the wheat germ went mouldy so I just added fresh wheat germ periodically. Since apparently they are normally found in dry foods it didn't seem necessary. Perhaps that's why they aren't growing. They are, however increasing in number.

Thanks I'll look for the post you mentioned.
 
I provide fresh carrots and/or apple at least every other day. They go crazy for it. You do have to watch out for mold but it was my understanding they need a source of moisture.
JJ
 
Quote:
Moisture is essential to a mealworm colony, infact, the veggies/fruit you provide will make up 40% of their diet if you do it often. It will also make them healthier to eat.

With constant feedings, good heat, and other things, mine go from egg to beetle in 2 1/2 months. The beetles often live up to 1 1/2 to 2 months after that.
 
Quote:
You have to provide moisture, and large carrots are best; potatoes cut in half are a close second. Like you, they die if they don't get moisture, and carrots and/or potatoes are their source.
 
Thanks for the responses. I have added some apple for them to enjoy. Surprisingly they have survived and multiplied without any supplemental moisture for about 2 months so they must be quite hardy little buggers! I took the carrots away before I left on an overseas trip.



Do they really eat the eggs when they are laid? Someone mentioned that they (not sure if it is the beetles) should be seperated when they are larger or they will each the eggs and young worms.
 
Quote:
Probably the reason your babies lived for those two months is that they were getting their moisture from dead beatles.

eew
sickbyc.gif
 
yes, they need potatoes or carrots for moisture, but make sure they have plenty of ventilation so the wheat bran doesn't get moldy. I cut out a large opening in the top of the bins and tape or glue screen on top.

They also like a small piece of newspaper on top of the wheat bran (do not cover the whole top area) which you can moisten with a spray bottle, but don't soak.

I add dry milk powder, baby rice cereal and wheat germ to my wheat bran to help them grow larger.
 

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