Mealworm farming

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Are there any dead beetles in that bin? Dead beetles do have a peculiar odor. That's probably what you're smelling.

ONly about five to ten at a time, I clear it out each night (they are kept in my bedroom )

I'm having a simiar problem w/ my roaches. When the colony was smaller there was no smell at all, but now that the colony is larger, there is a distinct and unpleasant odor. I wondered if this was going to happen w/ the mealies. I definately need to come up w/ a solution.

 

[airmechreed]

Woohoo! I have beetles. I'm so stoked.

 

[gale65]

do you keep a continuous supply of food in there? I have some carrot in there now and I have a feeling it'll take a while to finish. Should I take it out after a day or so? Do they need variety?

 

[hannakat]

Quote:

Ever think you'd be happy about bugs?

Quote:
I usually keep a supply since there will also be baby worms at some point, even if you're using the 3-drawer with screen in the bottom. It could be that you have a sensitive nose? There is an odor but it never seems to have a 'stink' factor to it....just kinda earthy and oaty

A carrot will just dry out so you don't really need to remove it. If whatever you have in there gets moldy or funky after a couple days, take it out and put fresh in. A variety is nice but not necessary.

 

[Kassaundra]

I also keep continuous food. Every other day or so I take out any that need it, if it dries and gets hard I just leave it in place. I don't think variety is nessecary, but I think as w/ anything in nature that isn't a "specialist" eater variety is healthier.

 

[peafowlmom]

I have pupae!

 

[peafowlmom]

I keep potato's and apple's in my tub.

I was wondering, is it normal for many to be on the sides? Like they want to crawl up?

 

[oneofseven]

Quote:
Sounds like a disease.

 

[peafowlmom]

Oh I needed that! Thank you! Laughter has been missing in my life for too long.

 

[Kassaundra]

I just looked back through the posts (b/c I am not organized enough to have written the info down) to get a rough timeline of my colony.

7-18 I set up the colony w/ large mealworms from pet store
10 days later
7-28 first pupa
7 days later
8-4 first adult
34 days later (but I think it was sooner since some of my worms had obviously molted a few times at least)
9-7 new worms.

The colony was kept inside and at around 76-78 degrees for the entire time.