Mealworm farming

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Hope I'm not changing the subjecttoo much but I am also having beetle problems. One third are grand but the other 2/3 are so lame and deformed.

I've had my mealworms for 3 months now, 6,000 started in weekly increments of 2,000. I have lots of pupae and beetles now but am concerned about the vigor of my beetles. Many of them have no wings or just one wing and many are forever on their backs and can't get up. I do see mating and some of the beetles look great. But, alas these weird ones don't walk very fast. Maybe they are dying beetles, IDK. They are in a 20 gallon aquarium with 6 inches of bran refreshed every 2 weeks. I give them kale carrots and an occasional strawberry for moisture. Any thoughts?

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

So mealworms are foot and In a ten gallon, right? That's where I have mine. I used the plastic Rubbermaid containers to slide in the top of the ten gallon tanks. The rubbermaids have my superworms in them.

None of the feed stores around me carry wheat bran, all they had was rice bran. Can I use this?
Can I just mix it with other things to still use it?

Does anyone use bell peppers for moisture?

I think rice bran would be fine. Try the bell peppers and see if they take to it. They are just grain pests, LOL!

 

[sillybirds]

Hope I'm not changing the subjecttoo much but I am also having beetle problems.  One third are grand but the other 2/3 are so lame and deformed.

Usually the beetle deformity is from having been munched on by worms and other beetles as helpless pupae. You can prevent/minimize this problem by collecting pupae as the form and putting them in a separate container. With regards to beetles on their backs... I find that that's pretty common when they're in wheat bran. If it bothers you you can put a piece of paper towel that they can cling to better on top of the bran.

 

[subhanalah]

Hope I'm not changing the subjecttoo much but I am also having beetle problems.  One third are grand but the other 2/3 are so lame and deformed.

I've had my mealworms for 3 months now, 6,000 started in weekly increments of 2,000.  I have lots of pupae and beetles now but am concerned about the vigor of my beetles.  Many of them have no wings or just one wing and many are forever on their backs and can't get up.  I do see mating and some of the beetles look great.  But, alas these weird ones don't walk very fast.  Maybe they are dying beetles, IDK.  They are in a 20 gallon aquarium with 6 inches of bran refreshed every 2 weeks.  I give them kale carrots and an occasional strawberry for moisture.  Any thoughts?

It sounds like your humidity is not high enough for the adult to emerge properly.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: Thanks so much--I was so hoping not to separate the stages out but looks like I may have to. I don't care if they are on their backs LOL.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: Thank you, I do live in the high desert and it's very dry here. I will try putting a spone on plastic in the bin.

 

[subhanalah]

Thank you, I do live in the high desert and it's very dry here.  I will try putting a spone on plastic in the bin.

if you wouldn't mind separating the pupae, you can keep them in a plastic container with less ventilation to trap the humidity.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: When they turn to beetles can I put them back in container with other worms, eggs and mealworms? Many thanks for your help.

 

[TheEggCollecter]

cool

 

[subhanalah]

When they turn to beetles can I put them back in container with other worms, eggs and mealworms?  Many thanks for your help.

yes, you can. Have you noticed the larva also having difficulty molting?