Mealworm farming

[highcountrybell]

Hello. Ive been following through his thread and started a few tubes worth a few weeks ago. I may have overlooked the answer on here.
...... Ive been putting the Pupae in their own container (for a few weeks now) how long does it take them to turn? They just look dark and dried out. I just want to make sure its going how it should and their not dieing.

 

[crazy huhn]

The time it takes for pupae to turn into beetles usually depends on the temperature they are kept in. I have mine in bins on Costco metal shelf units with no extra heat provided and it may take 6 weeks or more during the winter month or as little as 10 days during the summer.
They sure look dead and dried out, but usually they are not unless they are all black.

 

[subhanalah]

Hello. Ive been following through his thread and started a few tubes worth a few weeks ago. I may have overlooked the answer on here.
...... Ive been putting the Pupae in their own container (for a few weeks now)  how long does it take them to turn? They just look dark and dried out. I just want to make sure its going how it should and their not dieing.

add a moisture source to the container, keep it identical to the other container where you keep your worms, so you know your parameters are favorable for the metamorphosis.

 

[highcountrybell]

^^^ ok. thanks for the help

 

[Chickengirl1304]

How do you know how many is 1000 worms? Do ppl weigh them or measure them by volume?

 

[crazy huhn]

Some people do it by weight ( per ounce), commercial breeders do it by volume and then there is crazy me who counts them out one by one to make sure each and every worm is golden and alive the moment it leaves my house ( and I still add at least 10% free Extras just in case there is a DOA)

 

[sillybirds]

@Chickengirl1304
I count 100 mealworms, then multiply by appropriate factor for amount I'm selling, then add extras to balance the few that may die in transit. 100 worms can weigh anywhere from 15-25 grams, depending on size of worms, putting the weight of 1000 worms around 150 to 250 grams (roughly 5 to 9 ounces).

 

[chickenALD]

I am start to breed mealworms they are real for my reptiles if I produces a lot feed to my ducks and chickens. I do have some question? One will the oats attract roaches? How do a prevent corn beetles or weevils? Do I need heater or light getting mix reviews online. Is a 18 gallon tote or container to big? I people are using draws but I scary they escape. I notice on a here that some of you are trying the method where you put screen on the bottom and container on the bottom to get the waste does that work well? Also what is talc power and where do I get it? I have been think about breeding them for months now and researching them but I still have question that I am not sure on. I will have 5000 mealworms at my door on Friday so any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[azygous]

If you are only just beginning to set up your mealworm farm, I recommend you watch a few video clips people have posted on Youtube. You will see how disgustingly simple mealworm raising can be.

It can be as simple as one 18 gallon tote, as you mentioned, filled with rolled oats or wheat bran. Toss in a carrot every so often, and walk away and forget about it for months, and come back and find a bin full of worms and darkling beetles. Sift out all the frass, harvest all the larva, add fresh bedding, toss in a carrot, and walk away for another few months.

Most of us do the three drawer method with the screening in the two top drawers so we have some semblance of order. The screening isn't to sift the waste. Its to permit the eggs to sift down so the beetles don't eat them. Rolled oats are good because they won't fall through the screening. If you use wheat bran, you are left with no bedding in a matter of days.

The frass (waste) is much finer than any of the bedding grains, so a steal-mesh kitchen strainer will work to sift it out of the still useable grain, whether you use rolled oats or wheat bran in your single tote.

Go watch a couple videos and come back and join the discussion. We'll all help you! This is a very satisfying enterprise, and you'll be hooked in no time! Don't worry, you'll be ready when your worms arrive!

I almost forgot to mention, you don't need any heater. But it helps speed up the process if your climate is on the cold side. I rigged up a simple heater using a 25 watt incandescent bulb in a cookie tin, placing it a few inches below my stack of plastic trays of worms. you can get a life cycle in weeks that would take months without heat. 80 F is the optimal temp.

 

[chickenALD]

Okay thanks I watch some videos on YouTube, some of it sounds easy and then some people have detail set ups. Like one guy said to have oats, cereal, wheat flour, power milk, and then blend up and crush. I thank that would be lot of work. I think just keep simple with the oats for now. I was wondering if I buy oats like for horses if that be just as cheap as buying roll oats?