Mealworm farming

[Chaneys Ranch]

temps below 45 pretty much will kill them. Even if it doesn't they don't seem to morph into beetles, the pupa die. At least thats been my experience so far. I tried slowing a batch down in the fridge to stagger my bins more, and lost most of them when they went into pupas. I did pull them out about once a week, and feed them. They like being pretty warm. Some people even keep them in incubators.

 

[sillybirds]

These mealworms thought they were in paradise until they shortly thereafter became the main ingredient of mealworm salad for my hens

.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Last wishes hu?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

These mealworms thought they were in paradise until they shortly thereafter became the main ingredient of mealworm salad for my hens

.

 

[onafixedincome]

I'm facing a decision I don't much like, here. My sensitivity to the mealies and the bran and dust generally has gotten me to the point of even slight exposure causing a major flare up. So I have a choice--either give up the mealies (not hardly!) or go to using several all-in-one boxes for raising, which I really don't like either.

I am not supposed to sift substrate at all if possible, mask or no mask....

Any great suggestions?

Feeling very

and

....

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I'm facing a decision I don't much like, here. My sensitivity to the mealies and the bran and dust generally has gotten me to the point of even slight exposure causing a major flare up. So I have a choice--either give up the mealies (not hardly!) or go to using several all-in-one boxes for raising, which I really don't like either.

I am not supposed to sift substrate at all if possible, mask or no mask....

Any great suggestions?

Feeling very

and

....

Ugh, thats awful. I know the make me sneeze and cough. my only thought is use food to draw them out. Don't sift at all. set a carrot or tater slice, come back an hour later. I slice a potato long ways pretty thin and collect that way. If you do have to stir, try dampening a hankie, cover nose and mouth, tie securely. then put a mask over it. the dampness should help catch the dust particles. Don't risk a fungal infection tho, i go into a terrible sneezing fit from just feeding out. I don't know if i will fool with them much during the summer.

 

[Mavrk]

I'm facing a decision I don't much like, here. My sensitivity to the mealies and the bran and dust generally has gotten me to the point of even slight exposure causing a major flare up. So I have a choice--either give up the mealies (not hardly!) or go to using several all-in-one boxes for raising, which I really don't like either.

I am not supposed to sift substrate at all if possible, mask or no mask....

Any great suggestions?

Feeling very

and

....

Give the all-in-one a chance. I like it. Easy maintenance and a LOT less exposure and no sifting. I would think gloves and a damp mask would help.

Edit to add: that really sucks

 

[Tikkajazz94]

I'm facing a decision I don't much like, here. My sensitivity to the mealies and the bran and dust generally has gotten me to the point of even slight exposure causing a major flare up. So I have a choice--either give up the mealies (not hardly!) or go to using several all-in-one boxes for raising, which I really don't like either.

I am not supposed to sift substrate at all if possible, mask or no mask....

Any great suggestions?

Feeling very

and

....

Ouch!!! that really sucks!!!!

I'd go with the several all in one boxes... if you need it clean... what about asking the neighbour boy to sift it for $5.

 

[onafixedincome]

Thanks, all...appreciate the suggestions and good thoughts!! Really don't want to give these up.

No neighbor kids, though. Thinking some kind of enclosed sloped screening 'tunnel' from which only mealies emerge? Then they get screened for frass on the way out...and the remainder goes in a new box to grow out more? Have to let the boxes 'finish' more to do that....hm.

Wonder if there are isolation/lab units on ebay--the ones with the gloves and sealed air stuff? (Can't hurt--would sure keep the dust in one *spot* anyway!)

(Putting on thinking cap....acquaintances run for cover...they know me!)

 

[Mavrk]

I did decided to start a second container, but just so I could have 2. I moved a lot of the beetles into the other container, but left some in the first one. I will see how it goes, but the plan is to always have some beetles in each container laying eggs.

I wrote this a week and a half ago. I already see babies (yes, big enough to see, and some bigger than expected). I increased the heat just before doing this, so I think that made a huge difference. The definitely go through the food I add faster to get more moisture with the increased heat (their appetites might just be higher too).