Mealworm farming

[brahmabreeder]

I have four beetles! Plus many pupae, or however it's spelled.

 

[2jsbabyfarm]

Are you sure they're dead?  Have they turned a very dark brown or black?  Sometimes you can see a lot of mortality right after shipping.   I would probably switch over to wheat bran as you can though.  Finally, it is possible that your worms are preparing to pupate (if they're not dead).  The worms that are shipped are often ready to pupate and right before they do they become very motionless as they mobilize resources for the transformation.  

I have been finding lots of the dark dark brown to black ones. Hoping it's just from shipping =S so far no pupae yet

 

[furbabymum]

Soooooooooooooo Reading this it seems I really do need to put new substrate in every once in awhile? They're in like 5 inches of wheat bran but I haven't changed it in over a year. It's all tiny now. Maybe that's why I'm not having as many as I once did? Hmm.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Soooooooooooooo Reading this it seems I really do need to put new substrate in every once in awhile? They're in like 5 inches of wheat bran but I haven't changed it in over a year. It's all tiny now. Maybe that's why I'm not having as many as I once did? Hmm.

Yep, you have to add some every now and then. Since the larvae primarily eat the bran it would limit their development. Dump the new stuff on top and you'll see a definition between the two layers. When the top layer begins to look more like the bottom layer, add more. Eventually you'll have to remove some of the old substrate from the bottom.

 

[furbabymum]

Yep, you have to add some every now and then. Since the larvae primarily eat the bran it would limit their development. Dump the new stuff on top and you'll see a definition between the two layers. When the top layer begins to look more like the bottom layer, add more. Eventually you'll have to remove some of the old substrate from the bottom.

I might be too lazy for this.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote: Yeah, I only remove the old stuff every couple (few) years. I'm usually forced to do it when the old stuff is so deep the mealworms start planning their escape over the wall.

The upside of changing it out is that it makes the best fertilizer ever and you don't have to do it again for a long time.

 

[furbabymum]

Yeah, I only remove the old stuff every couple (few) years. I'm usually forced to do it when the old stuff is so deep the mealworms start planning their escape over the wall.

The upside of changing it out is that it makes the best fertilizer ever and you don't have to do it again for a long time.

Well I still have tons of space to add more, perhaps I'll wait until they're escaping!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Well I still have tons of space to add more, perhaps I'll wait until they're escaping!

That's the spirit!

 

[brahmabreeder]

Do the beetles escape???? I found two beetle like bugs on my floor this morning( FYI I live in the basement, so it could be something else ). They seemed a little too big and fast, but I wanted to just make sure.

Sorry the picture is crappy.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Do the beetles escape???? I found two beetle like bugs on my floor this morning( FYI I live in the basement, so it could be something else ). They seemed a little too big and fast, but I wanted to just make sure.

Sorry the picture is crappy.

I've never had one escape. Not even with all their advance planning.