Mealworm farming

[t/m]

Also, can I feed them a tomato?

Yes you can, I do. Be sure to put it on a plastic lid (like from a butter tub) or something so the substrate won't get too wet and moldy.

 

[t/m]

Oh, I wasn't worried about them climbing or flying. My concern was the darn moths we tend to get with my DH's parrot food.......

Can you freeze or microwave the parrot food like we all do our oatmeal and bran to kill those and other critters?

 

[mychookschick]

Yes you can, I do. Be sure to put it on a plastic lid (like from a butter tub) or something so the substrate won't get too wet and moldy.

Thanks! Do you happen to know the answers to my other two questions? Thanks again, I think that this is going to be fun!

 

[t/m]

Sorry can't help you with your other questions, but I'm sure someone will come along that can help you. I know there was some discussion on here about the larger worms but don't remember where on this thread!

Did you try a search on this site or 'googling' the horse bran? That may help...sorry. I'm new at this too but it's fun!!

 

[mychookschick]

Thanks anyway! Maybe someone else will chime in... This seems to be a booming thread!! ETA: I understand that you aren't supposed to keep them in direct sunlight, but would a UVB emitting reptile light count? I was think of keeping them near the turtles that we are babysitting for extra heat, but I don't know if they UVB rays would hurt them? What do you guys think?

 

[Ivywoods]

Can you freeze or microwave the parrot food like we all do our oatmeal and bran to kill those and other critters?

.....hhhmmmm. Guess I never thought of that. Perhaps we should give that a try.

 

[galanie]

Can you freeze or microwave the parrot food like we all do our oatmeal and bran to kill those and other critters?

.....hhhmmmm.  Guess I never thought of that.  Perhaps we should give that a try.

I freeze all the bird food I buy when I bring it home. It often has bugs or eggs in it before you buy it. I still see the occasional moth in here from time to time but none in the mealworms as far as I can see. I might get brave and go back to the 3 drawer thing soon.

 

[onafixedincome]

Freeze, yes. Microwave, no...unless you really WANT popped birdseed with a changed nutritional value.

One way fiber folks deal with moths is to freeze for at least a week, then bring it out for a few days, then freeze again to nail the newly hatched larva....that would probably be the best way to deal with parrot/birdfood.

 

[michaelinnc84]

Do y'all also freeze the oats?

 

[Ivywoods]

Do y'all also freeze the oats?

Yes. I freeze them for at least 2 days.