Mealworm farming

[Emily1220]

I just started looking into mealworms for my flock...YESTERDAY...and here is this thread...very nice.

This has been a terrific site for me!!! Hint-hint, as you read the pages either take notes or bookmark the pages with stuff you'll want to remember. That way you dont have to go back thru 400 pages to find what you want!!!!

 

[ajlynco]

I have several layers of newspaper covering the substrate and have noticed that when I check on the mealies every few days a good number of them have crawled in between the sheets of paper. My question is; will they make thier way back to the substrate and vegies, are they preparing to pupate, should I just leave them alone?

 

[ChickChicHurray]

My mealies are not moving much, I have bookoos of beetles. But worry about the worms. They are in a 10 gal. fish tank with ground up oats. I feed them carrots, potatoes, and I put in a slice of bread that the beetles love to be under. There is not too much movement, Is it not dark enough? or maybe too cold. They are in the living room without any lights on (we do not use the room). They also have a couple of white napkins that they have eaten holes in.

It could be that they are about the same age and dying off, I did start out with 500 from the pet shop then added 2200 from a private "farmer". The 2200 were in all stages when I received them, I have not seen any little wormies yet. Just hoping they do not all die because I did something wrong. I want them more active.

 

[ChickChicHurray]

I have several layers of newspaper covering the substrate and have noticed that when I check on the mealies every few days a good number of them have crawled in between the sheets of paper. My question is; will they make their way back to the substrate and veggies, are they preparing to pupate, should I just leave them alone?

I leave mine alone in the papers, they can get out if they want. HOWEVER I am no expert on the subject. I have read hundreds of pages on this forum and googled the subject and people leave the paper alone in there. I find many worms and beetles in the paper and under toilet paper rolls or bread. I think they prefer the darkness they provide. Perhaps someone with some more experience will help out.

 

[joan1708]

My mealies are sluggish now also. I've had them about 6 wks. I think they are ready for the pupae stage. I got 1000 worms in the mail then another 200 from a pet store. I've feed about 1/2 of them to the chickens. Right now I have about 60 pupae and 15 beetles. I have also been a little worried that they don't move as much anymore.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

That sounds about normal. The larvae become very lethargic and sedentary right prior to molting or pupating.

 

[Emily1220]

Is anyone else having serious allergy type reactions when doing stuff in the bins?? I have gotten so bad with sneezing and runny nose, itching eyes that i may hae to give them up. I have already started taking out all the large worms to freeze before they can pupate. Darn...... I was really enjoying this adventure!

 

[taylorashleyd]

Emily: Try changing up the bedding. If you are using wheat bran, switch to oat bran or visa versa. I know plenty of people who grow meal worms in oatmeal without any problems (rolled oats, not the instant stuff).

 

[taylorashleyd]

Oh by the way I got my mealworms from Amy yesterday. AWESOME! Out of the 2000+ I got, maybe 5 or 6 didn't make it through shipping. During my initial 5 minute pass I found 35 in the pupae stage! Luckily my friend who started a few months ago had the low down on wheat bran bedding.

 

[Kassaundra]

Is anyone else having serious allergy type reactions when doing stuff in the bins?? I have gotten so bad with sneezing and runny nose, itching eyes that i may hae to give them up. I have already started taking out all the large worms to freeze before they can pupate. Darn...... I was really enjoying this adventure!

I would definately try diff bedding before giving up on the mealworms. Either a diff type of grain then what you currently use or switching to a sand (dirt) substrate. If I did the sand substrate I would probably put some whole slices of bread in to give them some grain w/o making it as airborn for you and a place to hide under.