Mealworm farming

[1stACT]

I had mites climbing up the sides of all of my bins.

Since it was freezing outside, and, my worms were now beetles, I took all of the egg/mite bins outside to freeze. I took all my beetles and rinsed them off (using a strainer and running warm water). I figured there was nothing else I could do, and that hopefully the beetles would keep laying eggs long enough to sustain my "farm". I don't know why you couldn't do the same with your worms (rinsing them under running water). Just make sure that your bins have been completely cleaned and replace ALL of your substrate with either previously frozen or microwaved substrate.
Good luck!!!

 

[azygous]

The first time I discovered a major infestation of grain mites, I took all my beetles and worms out and rinsed them off under warm water. They all survived their bath very well. Then I replaced all the infested substrate.

Since then, when I see the "frosted" sides and lid of the tray, signaling a new bloom of mites, I save myself all that work and simply take off the lid and leave it off for a few days until the mites all dry up and disappear.

As a foot note, I do oven heat all my substrate before I use it at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Any less than that, I've had mites survive the heat process. Microwaving is simply not uniform enough to kill all the mites. The oven is best. But I've still had mites in spite of heat treating. But I don't freak out anymore when they appear.

 

[1stACT]

The first time I discovered a major infestation of grain mites, I took all my beetles and worms out and rinsed them off under warm water. They all survived their bath very well. Then I replaced all the infested substrate.

Since then, when I see the "frosted" sides and lid of the tray, signaling a new bloom of mites, I save myself all that work and simply take off the lid and leave it off for a few days until the mites all dry up and disappear.

As a foot note, I do oven heat all my substrate before I use it at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Any less than that, I've had mites survive the heat process. Microwaving is simply not uniform enough to kill all the mites. The oven is best. But I've still had mites in spite of heat treating. But I don't freak out anymore when they appear.

That's good info...I didn't know that the mites would simply dry up. I had three bins of eggs and tiny worms which have been frozen 'cause I didn't know what else to do. I'll try your "oven" method since I agree the microwave is a bit dicy. Thanks!!

 

[azygous]

The eggs may survive freezing, but I have serious doubts that the tiny worms survived. You can try reviving them at room temp and see if they move. Refrigerating worms and beetles won't hurt them, but freezing is probably going to kill them.

I know how easy it is to panic when you see those creepy mites. I made the mistake of insisting on identifying them through a hand lens, which require getting your eye inches away from them, and I accidentally snorted some of the mites up my nose. Try that for a good panic!

 

[chrissyr]

and I accidentally snorted some of the mites up my nose. Try that for a good panic!

oh dear, that would panic me for sure!!

 

[kwol]

The eggs may survive freezing, but I have serious doubts that the tiny worms survived. You can try reviving them at room temp and see if they move. Refrigerating worms and beetles won't hurt them, but freezing is probably going to kill them.

I know how easy it is to panic when you see those creepy mites. I made the mistake of insisting on identifying them through a hand lens, which require getting your eye inches away from them, and I accidentally snorted some of the mites up my nose. Try that for a good panic!

~~ thanks for sharing that

LOL for sure! But I know you weren't laughing at the time.

 

[1stACT]

The eggs may survive freezing, but I have serious doubts that the tiny worms survived. You can try reviving them at room temp and see if they move. Refrigerating worms and beetles won't hurt them, but freezing is probably going to kill them.

I know how easy it is to panic when you see those creepy mites. I made the mistake of insisting on identifying them through a hand lens, which require getting your eye inches away from them, and I accidentally snorted some of the mites up my nose. Try that for a good panic!

Yuck!!! The thought of that makes my nose and lungs itch. I didn't even consider that the eggs might still be viable. I'll give it a try

 

[knightie]

I'm assuming it would be too cold this time of year to have mealworms shipped.... Or am I wrong?

 

[Chickengirl1304]

I'm assuming it would be too cold this time of year to have mealworms shipped.... Or am I wrong?

I just got some shipped last week and they all were alive and well

 

[snakes]

I'm using the Sterilite three drawer bin system. The beetle drawer has a piece of window screen glued to the bottom. I keep the drawer below it empty (diverting the contents into another drawer) so I can monitor the egg production on a daily basis.

The moral of the story is my egg production doesn't seem very good. Mid-December I was seeing about 40 eggs on a daily basis. Now, it's about 20 per day. This despite having 100-125 beetles who are active and mating throughout the day. Lower temps indoors (70-75F) and lower humidity due to the furnace running may have something to do with it. I live in a warmer climate though, so the furnace only runs about an hour per day. Definitely drier than the summer months, but not that dry.

I've been providing lots of carrots and apples for the beetles and a sopping wet paper towel on a plastic lid to raise the humidity.

Thoughts/suggestions?