Mealworm farming

[hannakat]

Quote:
You will be a god amounst chickens!

 

[bloom_ss]

New update: I now have TONS of beetles crawling around in my top drawer and a lot of the worms in the bottom drawer have started to pupate in the last week. Looks like my farm is up and running!!

Can't wait for the full cycle to complete when I start getting some baby wormies!!

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
You will be a god amounst chickens!

I am The Goddess of all things insects to my Chickens, even my Roo, bows before me!!!!!!!

My boy would never dream of being aggressive and cutting off the dubia (and soon to be mealy) habit

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
You will be a god amounst chickens!

I am The Goddess of all things insects to my Chickens, even my Roo, bows before me!!!!!!!

My boy would never dream of being aggressive and cutting off the dubia (and soon to be mealy) habit

 

[jwcutt]

So where would one order the cloth bags and different size plastic containers for selling/shipping mealworms?

 

[oneofseven]

Quote:
What's the temperature now?

I think the tank was getting too hot. I unplugged it for a while. I saw a bunch of worms turning black.

I went to Lowes and got a 300 watt dimmer switch. I was able to plug in the heating coils and control the temp. I also got some cheap thermometers to place into the substrate. I got the temp to 78-80 degrees. They love it.
Coil is $15-$20. Dimmer is $18. Thermometer is $1.50

 

[binders]

Quote:
I think the tank was getting too hot. I unplugged it for a while. I saw a bunch of worms turning black.

I went to Lowes and got a 300 watt dimmer switch. I was able to plug in the heating coils and control the temp. I also got some cheap thermometers to place into the substrate. I got the temp to 78-80 degrees. They love it.
Coil is $15-$20. Dimmer is $18. Thermometer is $1.50

Please keep us posted on how this works out. I sounds like a really ggod solution for those of us who keep their houses really cool.

 

[Smarcebird]

I'm trying the seedling heat mat. At first had it on all the time, started having a lot of condensation on sides of container. Now I have it on a timer, on for 15 min/off for 45. Seems to be working great! The mealies are super active (well, as active as they get) and I've got a ton of pupating going on.

I think getting my first beetle may be as exciting as the first egg - not quite, but almost. Forgot I had a little thermometer in the garage, will dig that out tonight to see how the temp is staying.

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
I think the tank was getting too hot. I unplugged it for a while. I saw a bunch of worms turning black.

I went to Lowes and got a 300 watt dimmer switch. I was able to plug in the heating coils and control the temp. I also got some cheap thermometers to place into the substrate. I got the temp to 78-80 degrees. They love it.
Coil is $15-$20. Dimmer is $18. Thermometer is $1.50

Wow... very clever! I'm gonna stick to the oven with the light on 24/7. I've had to take them out a few times to use the oven but they're really doing good in there. I also keep a bowl of water in there to raise the humidity since it tends to be very dry......oh wait....baking tends to dry things out ... harharharheeee

Smarcebird ~ Another clever way to keep the mealies warm.

I thought I spent too much time fussing with the mealies but you gals have me beat! Kassandra's mini closet is awesome too.


Quote:
The bags are real easy to sew. Not sure what kind of plastic container you're talking about. Most ship them in a bag in a box.

 

[Gypsi]

I threw a quilt over my rolling cart, and am going to get the window draft situation fixed in the fish room. Felt like a window was OPEN last night. This is where my youngest grandbaby usually sleeps when she comes, and she isn't coming til I've found the air leak.