Mealworm farming

[Latestarter]

I have to disagree here. The instant oats are softer and more processed than the rolled oat original oatmeal (that's why it takes less time to cook). I'm pretty sure "instant" and "quick oats" are the same thing.

The instant oats I was referring to are the kind that come in individual serving packets that you just add hot/boiling water to then stir and eat....as opposed to the "quick" oats that still require to be added to boiling water and "cooked," but they cook in about a minute or so. I can no longer remember where I read that "instant" oatmeal should not be used (would not work) as feed for mealworms. I'll try to re-discover the source of that info.

Here's a link to more than you could possibly want to know about raising mealworms, and the source of the statement to NOT use instant oatmeal:

http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm

"You can buy some of the food items from an animal feed store or bulk food store. Commonly used food sources are listed below. They will also eat corn cobs (hiding inside):

• wheat bran, red and/or white (about $7.00/20 lb. bag at a feed store) or chaff. Coarse or fine. Put it in 1.5-2" deep. Preferred by some breeders.
• rolled oats (oatmeal - uncooked, old fashioned - not instant. I don't like using oatmeal as it is difficult to sift out the worms)..."

Edited: to add source material

 

[subhanalah]

You really don't want the flavored packrts, but you can buy the big cardboard cylinder of the instant unflavored.

 

[sueblack]

Got a problem here, I've got lots of darkling beetles, but no larvae after more than a month...Is the life cycle slow because in door temperate is around 17C...or is there a problem?

yes that is a low temperature for them they grow much better when around 27c.
good luck

Awesome, thanks!!! We live in a gluten-free house, so I'm hoping I can stick to oats and they'll be okay. I'll keep the whole wheat flour in mind, though, if they don't thrive.

u 2? we've been g.f for 2 years now going on our 3rd one. Wont go back since we saw what all it helps on us. hubby used to have acid reflux something horrible and had those old mouth ulcers to and hasn't had the first bout with the reflux nor the ulcers since we did this. This modified wheat is killing folks and we have no clue. And they say it's GOOD for you? Blows my mind. My daughter has been G.F. since March of last year and she doesn't have migraines anymore. Before she had one each month and sometimes 2. None since going G.F. I could go on and on and on but I wont.

Amen to the gluten free comments. I finally went glutenm free 6 onthms ago due to extreme fatigue, brain fog,, achy joints and a general feeling of not being well. Its hard to do witbout bread at firsy but once you learn from experience the difference in how you feel it gets easier. Now when someone ooffers me a tsty treat with wheat in it its easy to say no. Its just not wortgh feeling lousy over a couple cookies.

My worms , however, get all the wheat they want!

 

[jenneverett]

http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm
a great page with great info! thank you Latestarter.

 

[evemfoster]

I have to disagree here. The instant oats are softer and more processed than the rolled oat original oatmeal (that's why it takes less time to cook). I'm pretty sure "instant" and "quick oats" are the same thing.

I believe the problem is how Instant oats are made. I'm probably dead wrong but i was told when they first came out that Instant Oatmeal is pre-cooked then dehydrated, causes a big food value loss.

 

[katatonic123]

My worms came in today!

 

[estamets]

My worms came in today!

Mine came yesterday! They sounded so gross wiggling around in the paper packaging...

 

[katatonic123]

Oh I know! My son said' "What IS that?"

 

[jenneverett]

My worms came in today!

looks like you have pupae already
just keep them warm, add a water source now and then and watch them increase in numbers

 

[Bugseye]

Sad to say, I'm hooked. The evidence is that I just spooned my colony from a shoebox into a Sterilite bin. And this would be my not-so-formal entry into BYC. It all started with a tiny tub from Petco about four weeks ago, then worrying through the discussions about substrates and mold, convinced I would be the murderous mealworm felon on the thread. Looks like they're not that easy to kill. I've got worms, pupae and beetles, requiring a relocation to a mealworm mansion. The young hens already wonder what gifts I am bearing whenever I appear. New garbage, fermented feed? Yes, I am that far gone, and this is my first year. Heaven help me.