Mealworm farming

[kubotafoot]

Hmmmmm....I really don't know, people have asked that before and I can only guess. Maybe 12k-20k? Again, that would just be a guess.

Wow! Up to 12-20,000 is roughly 2 square feet? That's a thick carpet....and you don't note they get too hot on top of each other like that? If that's what a good bin looks like, mine is lacking, as I have about 5 thousand in 5 square feet. I need to get them producing to be so lush. You sure do know what you're doing. All the best-

 

[EastTXChickens]

Just want to share my husband's fix of my chickens pecking through duct taped screen on the storage container (lids) that house my mealies. I keep them outside on the porch.

He placed screen and 1/4" hardwire in a wooden frame that fits snugly on the box.

 

[chickensfinally]

I hope u can see the mealie in the Cheerio. It looks like he's got a life preserver! BTW, I never seem to see the beetles after they first come out of the pupa. I think they bury themselves.

 

[jenneverett]

I never seem to see the beetles after they first come out of the pupa. I think they bury themselves.

i keep mine in a dark tent that helps regulate the temp and keeps them in darkness so when i pull the blankets back i do see them all scurrying for cover. after only a few minutes the bins have mostly seemed to empty themselves.


the brightness is only from the flash generally my garage is gloomy to dimly lit in the daytime.

 

[dharmasister]

I just started raising mealworms about a month ago and just started finding my first pupae this weekend. Never thought id be excited over creepy-crawly things, but I am. I just ordered 1000 mealworms to add to the 100+ that I bought at Petco. My girls love them!

 

[chickensfinally]

i keep mine in a dark tent that helps regulate the temp and keeps them in darkness so when i pull the blankets back i do see them all scurrying for cover. after only a few minutes the bins have mostly seemed to empty themselves. the brightness is only from the flash generally my garage is gloomy to dimly lit in the daytime.

Yeah, I keep mine in the dark too. My bin is even darkish, but see thru. I meant when I go check the bin, which I'm doing daily since its new, just two weeks old. I turn on the light so I can see I know I've had at least two beetles morph out. I saw them for a few moments and they promptly dove in the bedding and I haven't seen a one since. But I see lots of pupae so I know soon we'll have beetles in numbers enough to get down to business! Even a lot of the mealies dive for cover when I open the bin and I haven't even started harvesting yet --Carrie

 

[kubotafoot]

I have had my worm farm for 2 months now and I must say none of the beetles dive for cover or run from light. It was a little cool here during some nights and I put a lamp next to their 3 tier plastic bin and in the AM the beetles were all crowded in the corner near the light and heat. Light doesn't bother them at all. They all crown around the top chasing each other and sucking the life out of sliced potato.

 

[chickensfinally]

I have had my worm farm for 2 months now and I must say none of the beetles dive for cover or run from light.  It was a little cool here during some nights and I put a lamp next to their 3 tier plastic bin and in the AM the beetles were all crowded in the corner near the light and heat.  Light doesn't bother them at all.  They all crown around the top chasing each other and sucking the life out of sliced potato.

Oh sure, thanks for gloating! Lol! Maybe if they were not in the dark all the time they would just get used to it and wouldbe out more. I'll see if I can find one where the dh won't see!

 

[WellDunnFarms]

Following . Great info!

 

[kubotafoot]

Oh sure, thanks for gloating! Lol! Maybe if they were not in the dark all the time they would just get used to it and wouldbe out more. I'll see if I can find one where the dh won't see!

No, please....not golating at all, in fact wondering if my beetles are "normal" as most of the pictures I see here on the site have them running around on top and in clumps. I put in a chunk of old potato with some growth sprouts coming from it the other day. They pushed it back and forth over the top of the box all day long like an olympic contest. I have dug down a bit into the feed/bedding.....Nothing to speak of.....All running around on top in a fairly light room. I put toilet paper tubes in for them to hide in or under. They do get used, but not many..... Are my bug star=struck for the light, "slow" or just not cave dwellers? LOL!