Mealworm farming

[1stACT]

I would think if rinsing the beetles worked last time, just do that again and start over with new substrate that has spent time in your oven or freezer( or freeze the current substrate there, no nevermind that would probably be icky). I think oven would be faster, just make sure to cool down first can you also rinse the pupae and biggish mealies? --Carrie (sorry, that just sucks)

I've read they can't live without humidity. If your humidity is that high, they should be okay without a moisture source for a while to kill off the mites. You can remove the lid to get it to air out.

Yes, it's as simple as what Sub just suggested. Find a warm, dry spot and remove the lid. The mites will dry up and disappear.

I sympathize with you. There's nothing scarier and more disgusting than a mite infestation. Next time you change the substrate, do make sure you've oven treated it to kill mites and mite eggs. I place it in a large sheet cake pan and bake it at 300F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent the edges from toasting.

Sometimes microwaving doesn't heat the grain uniformly, and you have eggs survive the process. Same with trying to freeze it. You need to have it frozen below zero F for a prolonged period to do any good. (Don't freeze the worms and beetles, though!)

Will this drying kill the mite eggs too or just make them go dormant?

I took your advice as recommended and heated my bran in the oven....it smelled wonderful and gave peace of mind.

Thank you all!!
BTW, I do bake my bran (it does smell wonderful) and the lids are never on. But, I guess with the recent weather conditions it just got to humid in the boxes. Other than being extremely gross...what do the mites do? Do they eat eggs, larva, worms, and beetles?

 

[azygous]

From what I've read and heard, mites exist solely to gross out us humans, and to fly up our noses if we get close enough to them. They eat grain, and do not hurt the mealies at all.

 

[subhanalah]

From what I've read and heard, mites exist solely to gross out us humans, and to fly up our noses if we get close enough to them. They eat grain, and do not hurt the mealies at all.

they eat their food and poop in it. This can cause humidity to raise and mild can grow. They can overcome your meal worms

 

[Yurd Ahd]

oh no! I had this issue before. if you can't get rid of the mites by "drying out" the colony, you might just want to start a new one. I have read the only thing that kills the mites is hot water, and it has worked for me. Take about 5-10 beetles from your infested colony, put them in a strainer and give them a quick rinse (not too long or too hot or they will die). Set them up in a clean container with new substrate, make sure it is away from your old containers. If you start fresh like this, chances are the mites have no chance of coming back. I read it is best to feed out the infested colony because the mite eggs can survive many different temperature fluctuations (including freezing). I had a huge colony when it got infested last year and I restarted a fresh one and it is back up in numbers and mite free. I rinsed many, many beetles and transferred them to the new container. Keep your substrate clean!

 

[1stACT]

From what I've read and heard, mites exist solely to gross out us humans, and to fly up our noses if we get close enough to them. They eat grain, and do not hurt the mealies at all.

Thanks azygous!
BTW...every time I'm outside cleaning the boxes, I think of you and your story regarding snorting worm frass. Thanks to you I keep my distance

 

[subhanalah]

Thanks azygous!
BTW...every time I'm outside cleaning the boxes, I think of you and your story regarding snorting worm frass. Thanks to you I keep my distance  

we should remind everyone of this story every 2 pages or so lol.

 

[1stACT]

oh no! I had this issue before. if you can't get rid of the mites by "drying out" the colony, you might just want to start a new one. I have read the only thing that kills the mites is hot water, and it has worked for me. Take about 5-10 beetles from your infested colony, put them in a strainer and give them a quick rinse (not too long or too hot or they will die). Set them up in a clean container with new substrate, make sure it is away from your old containers. If you start fresh like this, chances are the mites have no chance of coming back. I read it is best to feed out the infested colony because the mite eggs can survive many different temperature fluctuations (including freezing). I had a huge colony when it got infested last year and I restarted a fresh one and it is back up in numbers and mite free. I rinsed many, many beetles and transferred them to the new container. Keep your substrate clean!

Thanks Yurd
For me your key word is clean. I just took my boxes outside the do a cursory cleaning (being very careful not to inhale the frass) Let me just say YUCK!!! I've been very busy expanding my girls coop. Occasionally throwing a few carrots in, then going about my day. That was my downfall. Between the recent humid weather, my bad house keeping or bin keeping as it were, and I think the lack of fresh bran, ...mite EXPLOSION

 

[1stACT]

they eat their food and poop in it. This can cause humidity to raise and mild can grow. They can overcome your meal worms

I don't know if they overcame my mealies, but I know for sure that they over came me...Gross!!!!

we should remind everyone of this story every 2 pages or so lol.

I completely agree!

 

[subhanalah]

[COLOR=0000CD]I completely agree![/COLOR]

you know...for the sake of the forum and the newbies that haven't heard the dangers of underestimating the power of your breath.

 

[1stACT]

The eggs may survive freezing, but I have serious doubts that the tiny worms survived. You can try reviving them at room temp and see if they move. Refrigerating worms and beetles won't hurt them, but freezing is probably going to kill them.

I know how easy it is to panic when you see those creepy mites. I made the mistake of insisting on identifying them through a hand lens, which require getting your eye inches away from them, and I accidentally snorted some of the mites up my nose. Try that for a good panic!

you know...for the sake of the forum and the newbies that haven't heard the dangers of underestimating the power of your breath.

OK it took some effort but see the above

thanks "azygous"