Mealworm farming

[dstinett]

It's DE free starter. Any tips on how I would remove just the bottom layer?

I never change out my chicken crumble. I just add more.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

It's DE free starter. Any tips on how I would remove just the bottom layer?

Good. I don't do it often, so when I do the colony is pretty filled with it. I just scoop off the top inch or so and reserve that in a bucket. I remove the bottom layer (use it for plant fertilizer), add more substrate to the container and pour the top layer back on to it. My colony is in a glass aquarium so I can see a fairly good demarkation between the older layers (the part removed) and the newer active layer which is reserved.

 

[suebee]

Thank you so much for the advice. Guess it really won't get rancid but will keep an eye on it and may try to scoop a big top layer and recycle the very bottom in the future. I'll try to find bran too.

 

[aart]

Quote: @mealworms4now take a pic of the bottom too...would be nice if it were more focused.

Curious too if it's just the one larva that has it.

 

[Sarahsdawn]

Looks like tiny, robotic wheels. Might be a cyborg.

 

[MealWorm Farm]

No idea what it is, but my rule of thumb is if it is even remotely suspect then remove and isolate. Put him in a small container with some bedding, and see what happens. Maybe over time it will become more obvious.

 

[Sarahsdawn]

My 10,000 large, live mealies for $32 from ebay arrived on tuesday! All happy and healthy, with great appetites!

 

[Sarahsdawn]

Has there been a list compiled of mealworm CODs?

 

[zarafa121]

After six weeks of obsessively watching the incubating bin, I saw two little worms on a piece of apple yesterday. It was satisfying to see the complete cycle - larvae to pupae to beetle to eggs I can't see to larvae.

 

[aart]

After six weeks of obsessively watching the incubating bin, I saw two little worms on a piece of apple yesterday. It was satisfying to see the complete cycle - larvae to pupae to beetle to eggs I can't see to larvae.

For sure! Usually the first sign of larvae for me is 'heaving' wheat bran. Kinda creepy.
And I have a pan of frass with trails running thru it.