Mealworm farming

[chris814]

I just ordered some live mealworms to raise and reproduce to feed my chickens. But I am kinda worried that I will be also starting a bait station for rats and mice. Does anyone know if these attract rodents?

 

[igorsMistress]

Where are you keeping them? I've not had rats or mice interested in my mealworms but I farmed inside.

 

[chris814]

Where are you keeping them? I've not had rats or mice interested in my mealworms but I farmed inside.

I was going to keep them inside. I did want to attract rodents.

 

[igorsMistress]

I was going to keep them inside. I did want to attract rodents.

It shouldn't be a problem. Be careful about grain moths in the feed though. A screened top with a tight fit will help keep them out. I baked wheat middlings at 350* for a half hour to kill them off before I used it in my bins.

 

[chris814]

It shouldn't be a problem. Be careful about grain moths in the feed though. A screened top with a tight fit will help keep them out. I baked wheat middlings at 350* for a half hour to kill them off before I used it in my bins.

It shouldn't be a problem. Be careful about grain moths in the feed though. A screened top with a tight fit will help keep them out. I baked wheat middlings at 350* for a half hour to kill them off before I used it in my bins.

I did a little research and I was going to use chick starter for the bedding since I already had it. Do you recommend wheat middling? I was also going to use the drawer method. I ordered 2,000 mealworms to start.

 

[igorsMistress]

I did a little research and I was going to use chick starter for the bedding since I already had it. Do you recommend wheat middling? I was also going to use the drawer method. I ordered 2,000 mealworms to start.

No the feed is fine but I would avoid medicated. I had access to the wheat middlings at my feed store and didn't want to use chick feed.
I found that my worms liked apples much more than potatoes and if I sliced them about 1/4" thick they didn't end up getting moldy. I just washed the apple and sliced a few pieces off and put them in skin and all. When I had beetles they preferred greens.

 

[chris814]

No the feed is fine but I would avoid medicated. I had access to the wheat middlings at my feed store and didn't want to use chick feed.
I found that my worms liked apples much more than potatoes and if I sliced them about 1/4" thick they didn't end up getting moldy. I just washed the apple and sliced a few pieces off and put them in skin and all. When I had beetles they preferred greens.

Okay thank you for the advice

 

[swamphiker]

I haven't had issues with pests in my mealworms (yet *knock on wood*). I've been putting the grain I use in the deep freezer for a week in large ziploc bags before putting in in with the mealworms in case there are grain mites or other bugs in there. Some people recommend sticking the grain in the oven instead since grain mites may be able to withstand freezer temps.

As far as what to feed them, I use wheat bran ($17 for a 50# bag at my local feed store) since it is lighter and easier to sift out large mealworms, pupae and adults, but mealworms aren't picky!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I did a little research and I was going to use chick starter for the bedding since I already had it. Do you recommend wheat middling? I was also going to use the drawer method. I ordered 2,000 mealworms to start.

Be careful of wheat moths. They love to live with the meal worms -- not good. Use a very small screen on top of your container to keep them out.

 

[Camille2t]

What type of screen (aluminum, nylon, fiberglass, etc.) is good for the bottom of the top shelf to let the eggs sift down?
Also, i heard that if you bake the millrun , bran, or oats, at 150 degrees for 1/2 hr., you kill the moths.