Mealworm farming

[nxb161]

I like to see action on this thread as well. On Thursday I ordered 1000 mealies from Amy, so they should be shipping soon, I checked my account and saw that paypal transfered the cash over. I hope the payment makes it's way to her this week so I can get started. I was at the dollar store yesterday and picked up 3 containers to house my farm. They are smaller than I was looking for, but I'm sure they'll work. 4" Deep and 6" x 6" wide. I got some old window screen from my parents, and cut some holes in the lids. Tomorrow I'm going to pickup some wheat bran on the way home from work, and then I'll be set. Not sure if I'm going to keep all the containers the same and just split up the 1000, or if I'll put in different areas and give different food.

 

[Mavrk]

I like to see action on this thread as well. On Thursday I ordered 1000 mealies from Amy, so they should be shipping soon, I checked my account and saw that paypal transfered the cash over. I hope the payment makes it's way to her this week so I can get started. I was at the dollar store yesterday and picked up 3 containers to house my farm. They are smaller than I was looking for, but I'm sure they'll work. 4" Deep and 6" x 6" wide. I got some old window screen from my parents, and cut some holes in the lids. Tomorrow I'm going to pickup some wheat bran on the way home from work, and then I'll be set. Not sure if I'm going to keep all the containers the same and just split up the 1000, or if I'll put in different areas and give different food.

Put the wheat bran in the oven. I found that 200 F for 20-30 minutes will do the trick. Then let it cool in the oven. The idea is that the bran needs to reach a heat of 130 for 15 minutes. This will prevent mites or other beetles/critters from surviving and competing/destroying your farm. Also, keep an eye out for ants where ever you put them (if you have ants around).

On a side note, my mealworm babies are getting bigger. I usually use carrots, but put in some potato so I could see the different sizes I have. I flipped it over today and there were several sizes. The larger ones still are not close to ready, but we'll see what they look like in a couple weeks. I am not sure how to remove the potato though because they are really burrowed into the thing. With the beetles I could just shake them off. But the tiny worms have a better grip.

 

[wsmoak]

Somewhere in this thread I think there is some info on surviving a mite infestation. Can anyone point to a particular post with that info?

Do I have to toss everything and start over? Can I rinse off some worms and put those in a new clean container?

I'm not quite sure if the mites are *on* the worms and beetles, or just in the bran.

Thanks,
-Wendy

 

[nxb161]

I heard freezing the wheat bran for 2 days does the trick as well, is that true? I'll keep an eye out for the ants, but lids will be on the farms, and the mesh is too tiny for anything to squeeze in there.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I heard freezing the wheat bran for 2 days does the trick as well, is that true?  I'll keep an eye out for the ants, but lids will be on the farms, and the mesh is too tiny for anything to squeeze in there.

No freezing doesn't kill the mites. You have to cook them. Somewhere in this thread is a link to a study that proved how long the mites survived frozen temps. It was a very long time.

 

[LaBella]

SSSHHHHHHH
Don't say it so loud!!! I don't want EVERYONE to know... Certain things, you hafta kinda keep quiet you know??

My little guys are doing well. They've chewed holes in their greenage, which is less green and more withered and wilting now. I also gave them some pomegranate seeds... I don't think the poor things can chew through the skin, so this morning I opened up one for them, I'll see how they do with that later.
Otherwise I'll just feed them more greenage and whatever else is around the house.

I expect the toadling will get mealies, and the bulk of them will go to a friend of mind with bearded dragons and box turtles. I'll still have more than enough to conduct my mad wormy scientist experiments.. And if I get too many without having a chicken to feed them to.. I suppose I'll just have to figure out how to feed them to the puppies, lol

 

[onafixedincome]

I find that the eldest canine just eats em, wheat bran and all. Seems to like the texture/flavor just fine. The others won't touch em .

I tossed big hunks of pomegranate in with mine--when it had totally dried up, I pulled it out and shook off the last few worms. All that was left was dried rind and the actual seeds.

Don't worry about getting them out of the potatoes...when they are done munching, they will move to fresher food and then you can pull out the fossilized remains. I pitch those to the chickens--if there are any worms left, they'll winkle 'em right out.

I smell a few budding Tenebriologists around here--don't forget, recordkeeping is a must! Have fun!

 

[Mavrk]

Somewhere in this thread I think there is some info on surviving a mite infestation. Can anyone point to a particular post with that info?

Do I have to toss everything and start over? Can I rinse off some worms and put those in a new clean container?

I'm not quite sure if the mites are *on* the worms and beetles, or just in the bran.

Thanks,
-Wendy

Didn't look for the thread, but the mites will only be in the bran. I am not positive, but I believe I read that you can rinse mealworms briefly in warm water without issue if you are worried that some of the mites are sticking to the larva. No need to toss the whole thing. That part I am sure about.

 

[Mavrk]

Grain mites -- drop that humidity quick! Bake a new batch of substrate and place it in a clean new box; sort out your live mealies and beetles, transfer to a colander/screen thingie and gently rinse with barely tepid water. Dump onto thick paper towels, blot gently, and slide them into their new digs. Keep the new digs as dry as possible--feed small amounts of veggies less frequently, and make sure there's plenty of ventilation.

Good luck!

This might be what you are looking for...

 

[kwol]

So far I have gotten many pupae, no beetles yet. Twice a day my 10 year old and I look in the drawer for morre pupae and are finding them right on top. I have placed baby carrots in the top drawer with the the worms and sometimes slices of potato. the potato seems to last the longest. Even if it seems dries up, I don't remove it until the worms are done with it even idf I do add something fresher. Added chunks of celery once too and it worked just as well.
Pleases let me know what kind of records you are keeping. The larvae are turning to pupae slowly and I am not sure how to record these gradual transfers.