Mealworm farming

[binders]

I have a bin set up and running for a couple of months now and have now got quite a selection of beetles that I have been moving to another bin. I also see several dead worms and pupa in the first bin. Should I remove these or leave them in there. My first bin with the worms and pupa is quite deep (4 inches) with oats, bran, chicken crumble, etc. My worms don't seem to be on the surface and I don't ever see them on any of the food I put in with them. Should I mix the substrate up or leave it be? I don't want it to be packed.

I'm thinking of setting up a bin system. That is why have have separated out the beetles when they hatch. Several of my beetles seem deformed, like they never really transformed all the way from pupa to beetle but got stuck somewhere in the middle. Has this happened to anyone else?

How do people move things around? By hand, tweezers, spoons? I don't want to harm them.

So many questions - Sorry about that. I am having soooo much fun with these. I go in and check them several times a day and can't wait to order more and get more going

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
We love questions!

It sounds like you have more bin than the worms need...could be why you're not seeing them too much. The substrate will not pack unless you've gotten water in it somehow. I take the dead out but you don't have to...depends on how much time you want to spend with the farm.

Yes, I think we all get malformed beetles. I just had about 5 today that were in the middle place of not quite right!!!

I use...
...tweezers to remove the dead.
...plastic spoon and fingers for everything else

Just don't SQUEEZE 'em

Quote:
Kricket Krap!!! Okay folks....we might be sitting on a fortune! How can we market mealworm poo?

 

[Kassaundra]

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My first generation (worms bought from the pet store) beetles did have quite a few deformed. Just now starting to get my second generation of beetles, so not sure yet if deformity is going to continue. My mealies and beetles swarm the food I put in, if you don't see them on top pick up the food and see if they are attatched under neath eating from the bottom. Or try lightly covering the food (I use a leaf) they really like hiding under stuff. I have part of a cardboard egg carton and put leaves in for them. My mealies and beetles all stay on top a lot.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
We love questions!

It sounds like you have more bin than the worms need...could be why you're not seeing them too much. The substrate will not pack unless you've gotten water in it somehow. I take the dead out but you don't have to...depends on how much time you want to spend with the farm.

Yes, I think we all get malformed beetles. I just had about 5 today that were in the middle place of not quite right!!!

I use...
...tweezers to remove the dead.
...plastic spoon and fingers for everything else

Just don't SQUEEZE 'em

Quote:
Kricket Krap!!! Okay folks....we might be sitting on a fortune! How can we market mealworm poo?

How about "The Meal Deal" fertilizer.

 

[hannakat]

That would work...now come up with how to process it... dry, wet, what's the ratio of poo to whatever? ummmmmm

 

[binders]

Quote:
I think we all have some other poo that is also good for the garden. Maybe 2 poos-in-one?

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
I think we all have some other poo that is also good for the garden. Maybe 2 poos-in-one?

 

[binders]

What is the best source for mealies? I am about to start another colony.

 

[hannakat]

There are 3 mealie vendors listed on the first post of this thread if that helps.

 

[binders]

Quote:
Didn't know if that was current.

Not trying to be a pain.

I have read at least half of the pages in this thread and have found it all fastinating and fun.