Mealworm farming

[OwensMom]

Life is Good! :

Question about deformed beetles -

Our mealie farm has been active, growing, wiggling, squirming, pupating since May. Cannot tell you which generation I'm on (might be 3rd or 4th by now). I'm a low-maintenance operation here - all one bin, been going great. Started with 400 worms, now have so many worms/pupae/beetles that I'm thinking of starting a 3-bin operation, just because of the sheer volume of worms in the bin!

My question is - some of my beetles are showing up with what appears to be deformed wing covers; some are completely missing, some are (apparently) chewed away, some are mis-formed.

Do you keep those beetles in with your bins or do you remove them (feed to chickens!) so only the 'proper' looking ones reproduce? Is this due to overcrowding in my bin or is this typical? I don't recall seeing this issue with earlier 'hatches'...thinking I've got too many worms in the bin at the moment. Some beetles you can actually see where a worm 'chewed' through the wing covers - while the young ones are drying? Don't know....so many mysteries - need to watch bin more, but am out with chickens instead!

Thanks for your help!

To much like work to remove deformed beetles. If I come across some while gathering worm, I'll feed those. Otherwise it every beetle for itself.​

 

[galanie]

I just completely ignore the deformed ones. For all I know they're breeding and making wormies anyway and picking them out is work. I'm allergic to work

 

[Smarcebird]

Hey folks - mealies are ordered and my bins are almost ready.

Question.... how long do you microwave the wheat bran? How much do you microwave at a time? Is this better than freezing? Or just different? Deathly afraid of getting the dreaded grain mite!

 

[hannakat]

Oh my.... is that lizard REAL? It certainly does look like Kassandra's bro!! hahahaaaa



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I like to use the microwave.... I do a cup or 2 at a time that is spread in a larger container for about 90 seconds. Lots of folks freeze...I like to zap.

 

[hannakat]

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Yea....sounds like your farm is on it's way! Congrats!

That's why I go with other things for the substrate....don't know what to do with all that wheat bran. Wish you lived near me....we could share!!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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So, was your bro plastered in the photo?

Kidding!

 

[binders]

I'm doing the 3 bin system and have had beetles for about 3 weeks. I don't see any eggs or little larva. When do you think I will start seeing them? I know the eggs are really small but I was hoping to be able to see them. How do I know if the beetles are doing their thing? I want to start another set of bins but I want to make sure that I am doing it right.

 

[oneofseven]

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It takes time Young Grasshopper. You must be patient. I guarantee the little beetles are having their fun.

 

[BuffyGRL]

just a question, while reading some have spoken about mites....If you get them how do you get rid of them? Do they go away when you dump the bins you have?

Maybe a crazy question LOL but do these mites come from the grains, etc used for substrate. I have read several posts that say they are harmless but just want to be prepared in case...you never know.

Thanks

BTW my bins are doing well and I am looking forward to being able to feed some in the spring

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Go to my website. You will see a short story about me and the mites. Oh, the mealie page is a link from the Breeds page.