Mealworm farming

[Tikkajazz94]

You may be disappointed, usually the giant mealies are sterile. They treat them w/ something that "suspends" there molting to pupa so they molt into bigger worms, if they do become adults they are almost always sterile from the tx.

Well, Its worth a try, I already have some that are pupas. And If not, I can always buy others.

Why was it a mistake to add the bedding that they came with??

It made the bedding to Think compared to allowing them in new bedding....

 

[Ivywoods]

Tikka-Good luck with those. Maybe since you have some pupae they will reproduce.

Well, I've changed my mind (again) about my worm farm. I have them in a single tote. I "thought" I had one of those 3 drawer things out in storage, but when I looked it was only a 2 drawer. I figured I could cut the bottom of the tote I have and cut a hole in the top of the two-stack frame and just set the tote on top. It's not going to work very well. The tote is heavier plastic than the frame it would sit on, so it makes it bow down. I'm just going to break down and pay the price for a 3 drawer stack (I haven't been able to locate a free or used one) and then I can use this tote I have them in right now for chicks.

My incubator is full right now and my DH has decided he wants some bobwhite quail. The person we are getting the quail from is giving us some cotornix quail eggs, too, because her incubator is full. I have chicks going into lockdown tomorrow, so I will have room for the cotornix. I think these worms will be great for my hubby's quail, so perhaps I can raise more by using the 3 bin system.

Do you guys seem to get "more" by usign the 3 bins? I have lots of beetles right now, but I don't see any tiny wormies in there yet.

 

[Tikkajazz94]

Thanks Ivywoods, I woke up with three more pupas. Well I decided to give these a chance. I bought them and they already started from pupas from the beginning. So, Two months should be a good time for them. And why should I waste money... there is always a chance anything can be false.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have one adult beetle, I didn't even see the pupa. Lots and lots of babies so my colony is slowly recovering from the mass slaughter.

 

[Emily1220]

Tikka.....looks like you have a perfect container already. And that size will definitely provide for 200 worms, pupa and beetles. I would try a one container set up til you see if those are going to reproduce. If they do, then they are fine in that one bin. Lots of people on here use the one bin set up.

 

[Tikkajazz94]

Tikka.....looks like you have a perfect container already. And that size will definitely provide for 200 worms, pupa and beetles. I would try a one container set up til you see if those are going to reproduce. If they do, then they are fine in that one bin. Lots of people on here use the one bin set up.

Thank, Well, I counted yesterday, The live ones, the pupas and the one that were dead in the container, plus the ones that were dead when I was counting... I actually had 300. That's why it looked to small. Well I going to to the drawer thing once its confirmed that the beetles are producing. For right now, Im making that container into a grow up pen, so I go through it pick out the pupas, and put it in t container, once beetle, I have a Aquarium, that was used for Hermit crabs, that Im going to use.

 

[Ivywoods]

I don't always have apples and potatoes or carrots on hand. My beetles were really thisty today. Fortunately I had some of the cricket quencher I could put in there.

Does anyone use bananas? Do bananas work okay? We have bananas on hand more often than the other fruits and veggies and it would be easy for me to throw banana pieces in there.

 

[Kassaundra]

I don't always have apples and potatoes or carrots on hand. My beetles were really thisty today. Fortunately I had some of the cricket quencher I could put in there.

Does anyone use bananas? Do bananas work okay? We have bananas on hand more often than the other fruits and veggies and it would be easy for me to throw banana pieces in there.

Mine like the peel better then the banana, but be careful w/ the banana they tend to go bad very quickly (mold and liquify)

 

[Ivywoods]

Thanks. Good to know!

 

[Kassaundra]

You can use a host of other stuff too, basically any vegetation, even leaves and weeds from the yard, lettuce, greens, turnips, radish, celery. Any of the peelings or ends of the fruits or veggies you make for yourself. Mine really liked okra when it was in season here.