Mealworm Farming Question

[Patinas]

I was just reading the following article on here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-mealworms.48416/

Sounds easy enough but the question I didn't see answered is...do they stink? If I have them in the house in a mesh covered aquarium, is there a bad smell eventually?

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

The rotting food will stink not the mealworms themselves really unless they worked there way through a lot of rotten stuff

 

[Patinas]

Thanks!!

 

[kgb6days]

I've been raising them for about 6 months now and i haven't noticed a smell.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

They do have an odor that sometimes might seem like stink. I'm so totally lazy about the whole thing though. I imagine with some actual upkeep besides throwing in carrots once in a while (the sum of my diligence) they wouldn't smell at all.

 

[BiggJohnn]

I have several colonies going & they only get a smell of I leave the dead beetles in there too long. When I remove them, all gone. It’s not a smell that your going to smell from the couch, it’s only when your face is on the drawer & it’s not bad at all.!! It’s worth it.

 

[tigger19687]

If you use Bran flakes and make it too deep, it will get moldy and smell.

yeah just learned that.

I do still smell them but then again I am sensitive to smells

 

[Patinas]

If you use Bran flakes and make it too deep, it will get moldy and smell.

yeah just learned that.

I do still smell them but then again I am sensitive to smells

I think the article said to use wheat germ. Would it matter if you use one or the other or maybe a combo?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

We actually use chicken feed! Starter/grower to be exact. Never have we smelled them. Never.

 

[Patinas]

We actually use chicken feed! Starter/grower to be exact. Never have we smelled them. Never.

Good to know because I always have starter/grower on hand. Thanks!