Mealworm farming

[lenjac]

Hi @lenjac
I find that when i want to transfer them also seems to be the time I need to add more bran.I'm not sure if it's that they just love the toast or they're hungry. So instead of adding bran, I put a small pice of toast. I toast it because of the same reasons for heating bran. the mites. not sure if that's even an issue, but makes me feel better. I use maybe a half slice, then take the toast over to the new bin and brush them off. There may be some little worms on the toast, but i try to just brush off the beetles.
I use small pieces because I found that everyone LOVES the toast. But I don't want a big piece to mold before it's all eaten up. You do need to watch that.
In just a little bit i start getting LOTS of beetles on the toast.
I've had mealies for almost a year, and I still hate touching the beetles. So this works for me.

thanks for the reply, chrissyr
I will try this.

 

[lenjac]

I use the bottom half of cardboard egg cartons to transfer beetles. They love clinging to the underside. I have to do this a few times over 2 days but it beats other methods I have tried. Also, I put a piece of carrot under the egg cartons which helps attract them there. There are always a few stragglers but I get 95% moved this way.

Somebody, I think from another forum uses egg cartons, so sounds like the way to go. Info greatly appreciated.

 

[chrissyr]

I use the bottom half of cardboard egg cartons to transfer beetles. They love clinging to the underside. I have to do this a few times over 2 days but it beats other methods I have tried. Also, I put a piece of carrot under the egg cartons which helps attract them there. There are always a few stragglers but I get 95% moved this way.

Great idea, I'll try that too. I really have a hard time touching the beetles. Worms are ok, beetles…NO. so will try this for sure

 

[azygous]

The egg carton idea for collecting beetles sounded interesting so I thought I'd try it and see what happens. I have a tray of mature worms, pupae, and beetles. I collect the beetles every day and transfer them into the beetle drawers. So I put the egg carton in the tray upside down

So this morning, I found the only beetle that had emerged overnight, and half a dozen worms crawling around inside the inverted egg carton. It worked great! I usually capture a few worms, too, to replenish my worm carton I use as treats for the flock, so it made the operation a lot quicker.

 

[sueblack]

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Thats why I love this website and this forum. I get so many helpful tips and great information. I am glad to see this thread continues to go on strong. It is my favorite thread on the whole site.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Today I was wetting down the egg carton I have in there to raise humidity and I noticed an odd looking mealie. He looked completely normal, but he was all white! Is that normal? Mine seem to be shedding their skin a LOT. Guess that means I'm doing something right.

 

[CrunchyNana]

Today I was wetting down the egg carton I have in there to raise humidity and I noticed an odd looking mealie. He looked completely normal, but he was all white! Is that normal? Mine seem to be shedding their skin a LOT. Guess that means I'm doing something right.

Yes, normal. It's one that has just shed.

Humidity... I've had my wormies for about 9 mo. and have yet to see a 2nd generation. Many of my 2nd gen pupua just end up white and dried up... I've noticed faster worm growth when I put a space heater near them {my house is in the low 60's usually} but... didn't think about humidity. Will do that today and see if that helps ty! I really want to feed them out but grow them too and I only started with 50 or 100 to begin with so it's been sllloowww.

 

[lbrtyldy]

I don't think you should be wetting down your egg carton. I think, from what I've read here, that that would be too wet and that you'll encourage other critters (like mites) to take up residence, which you do not want to happen. As long as you are giving them produce (I use organic carrots) they get all the water/humidity they need from that.

 

[CrunchyNana]

Ty! I think I'll not add moisture but try to get the temp more stable. Maybe they are getting too cold as we don't run the space heater unless someone is home/awake. Burning down the house won't do the wormies any good.
I'm also going to try to increase my numbers by buying more - at this rate I'll never be able to feed out.

 

[lbrtyldy]

The temp does make a big difference. I had mine in the house where it's about 70 - 72. Due to a few escapees and my daughters freaking out about it, I moved them down to the heated basement, where it's about 60. Production slowed down quite a bit!