Darkling Beetles and mealworms are bad for chickens?

[bcboy]

Darkling Beetles (Alphatobius diaperinus)
Darkling beetles (adults) and lesser mealworms (larvae) have been found to carry
Salmonella and other organisms including some viruses. They shed them in their
droppings for up to 28 days. Examine used bedding and floor wall junctions for larvae
and adult beetles after a flock is removed or pens are being cleaned. Monitoring traps can
be made from PVC tubes, 12" × 1-1.5" diameter containing 12" × 12" piece of paper
towel. Roll this and place it inside the tube. Place traps along the walls and near feeders
for 1-2 days or even longer if the manure is still in the barn. After the sampling, dump
the trap contents and count the insects. Score can range from slight (0-9) to severe (100+)
infestation. Apply an insecticide after cleaning and disinfecting the premises. There
are many insecticide products on the market. The total amount of solution to be used
will depend on the types of surface being sprayed. Always read and follow the product
instructions carefully.


Page 26
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/ahc/poultry/small_flock_manual.pdf
What do you people think

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

There are lots of species Darkling beetles. The Lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) is a pest of poultry houses (particularly commercial) and can cause great physical damage as well as vectoring a number of viruses, bacteria and worms that are communicable to chickens. It is very different from the Common, or Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) that lots of folks raise to feed their chickens.

 

[chfite]

That article does not mean that all darkling beetles carry salmonella, just that they can. If you don't have an infestation of beetles carrying salmonella, there does not seem to be anything to worry about.

As with anything else, not bringing a problem into the environment means none to solve. If you raise clean mealworms, you should be fine.

Chris

 

[bcboy]

Thanks for answering my question. I was looking at videos on youtube about raising meal worms. I think i may give it a try.

 

[galanie]

This sounds about as bad as the article claiming that eggs are as bad for you as smoking. If you didn't know, they would get you. I so very wish this kind of rubbish would be somehow left out of the internetz.