Mealworm farming

[NCGrammie]

I keep the frass in a 5gal bucket for a couple of months and then sift.  That get the vast majority of babies and eggs that are in the frass. By 2 months they are big enough to sift out.

The key is to make sure you don't have any beetles in the frass or you will be doing it again, and again to get them all.

On ok, Im glad you mentioned about the beetles not being in the bucket because I would not have even thought about that, but it makes complete sense!!

Thank you!

 

[onafixedincome]

Well, it's cooling down here and I just went through my bins (almost all the way), sifting frass, setting up hatch bins, sorting pupae...taking stock of what's there and what I'll likely need for the winter ahead.

Not looking too bad overall; lost a third of my beetles (probably the oldest ones) in the big bin, so will need to make sure the new hatch of beetles goes in there to keep the numbers up (about 650 or so per bin). The 'big beetle bin' is the selected set of larger beetles as an experiment; they're now hatching out lil big worms *(I hope!)*. We'll see how that goes!

 

[ajlynco]

How's the best way to sift the frass out of a bin? I have wee wormies in it and a lot of them go right thru the sifter I normally use

 

[DMRippy]

I sift, the let the small ones grow in the frass and then sift again in a few months. You can use window screen that would get a lot, but will not get the eggs that are in the frass.

 

[ray24]

Hi!! how long does it take for a little worm to fully grow up?

 

[mstricer]

I just had a massive molding happen in my tote. I don't know what happened. I was using carrots, potatoes and apples. I cleaned it out dump every thing in the woods. Saved some beetles and mealworms. Now starting over. I was using oat meal and wheat germ.(as I couldn't find wheat bran) I think maybe the oatmeal absorbed the moisture and stay wet. Does that sound right? What is the best way to feed them? Under the newspaper or over it?

 

[DMRippy]

I just had a massive molding happen in my tote. I don't know what happened. I was using carrots, potatoes and apples. I cleaned it out dump every thing in the woods. Saved some beetles and mealworms. Now starting over. I was using oat meal and wheat germ.(as I couldn't find wheat bran) I think maybe the oatmeal absorbed the moisture and stay wet. Does that sound right? What is the best way to feed them? Under the newspaper or over it?

I have had small bouts of mold. It is usually ventilation issues. I put more holes in the totes and moved them out of the sun and they are fine. In the heat of the summer I moved them into my shop with a dehumidifier.... that helped too. I don't feed them often. Maybe one a month or so... if they are lucky.......


I need to go raid my neighbors garden and get some turnips and greens.... not to eat but for the worms and chickens LOL. OK hubby will want some, but mostly for the worms. I will stock up on the turnips for the winter feedings. One of these days I will have a garden and grow most of the things for chicken treats and the worms too, 3/4 of the year if I can. Next year maybe.

I need to build that green house too....

 

[mstricer]

Quote: Maybe that was it, not enough holes. There was a lot of condensation. I was only feeding them once a month also. Oh well they were still going when I dump it. Lots of beetle larve. YUCK Oh yeah you were right on the auction.

 

[RainbowMealworm]

Hi!! how long does it take for a little worm to fully grow up?

Depending on food and temperature, it takes about two to four months for them to complete their life cycle. It takes 8 to 12 weeks for them to lay eggs. So if you want worms in the winter, start your colony in early fall.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Did you mean days? 8-12 weeks can't be right.......