Mealworm farming

[crazy huhn]

Thank you very much Contessa Kris and Kendles.
I will have to check in the buy/trade section on here, but I always take PMs or email at
[email protected]

Happy Memorial Day everyone

 

[kendles]

Went and took a peek... Looks great

Now you just have to have patience.

oh dear patience god, bestow some upon me

 

[kendles]

MealWorm container size? Which is better for breeding - deeper or larger surface area?

I currently have a larger surface area, 20" x 16" x 6" (about) with about 1,500 mealworms - pupae are in a separate box - no beetles at this time. I'm thinking about shifting to a stacking drawer design on casters. I have tons of those in the basement LOL
Leslie

 

[greasemonkey88]

MealWorm container size? Which is better for breeding - deeper or larger surface area?

I currently have a larger surface area, 20" x 16" x 6" (about) with about 1,500 mealworms - pupae are in a separate box - no beetles at this time. I'm thinking about shifting to a stacking drawer design on casters. I have tons of those in the basement LOL
Leslie

I read that more sq ft. Is better. Of course if you have to go up just leave all the drawers a mixture instead of trying to split the developing stages. Don't forget ventilation is a big key.

 

[kendles]

SIFTING the Frass ---
I am using a combination on Wheat Bran and Rolled Oats - I used a sifter like the one I use for my kitchen. The oats are not sifting well and I'm afraid to sift with harm the Mealies. I use a piece of plastic canvas (for crafting) and sort of laid the bedding on the canvas and gave it a little shimmy shake. It worked, somewhat, but I spent 25% of the time picking the mealies out of the casting bin.

Most of what was sifted out looked like half eaten wheat bran and oats, and I was just sifting out left overs. The bottom of the bin was pretty sandy (Frass) but there wasn't what I would consider to be "a lot" like I said, it seemed most was crumbs from the food.

Is there a method you have to recommend for sifting without injury? I ended up throwing out a lot of wheat bran because it wasn't sifted as well as it could have been.

Thank you
Leslie

 

[kendles]

I read that more sq ft. Is better. Of course if you have to go up just leave all the drawers a mixture instead of trying to split the developing stages. Don't forget ventilation is a big key.

I guess I was wondering which was best - depth or surface area

Oops - oh yeah. I have read up on keeping the 4 stages separate.

 

[crazy huhn]

Definitely you want more surface area, so your worms will not be on top of each other. It is also a lot easier to harvest the worms out of a container that is more shallow. I have the Costco metal shelf units and each shelf has a large sweater box with worms of various stages. They come with little wheels also, size 41 Qt or 34 3/4" x 16.5" x 6" just as an example.
I once also scored a commercial breeder meal worm tub at work which is my overall favorite.

 

[kendles]

Seems I remember the larger surface area so as to keep the mealies from overheating by being crammed together. I see a lot of folks using the 3 drawers and tons of mealies in them. I didn't think that looked like what I learned, but I thought I would ask before I did that.

Thanks. I'll stay with it as I have it
Leslie

 

[kendles]

Intelligence?
Since I have a large container, 20" x 16" x 6" or thereabouts. Are the mealies smart enough to come to a carrot for water if I only put in one large carrot? Or is it best to cut it in chunks and scatter it around?

 

[Latestarter]

Intelligence?
Since I have a large container, 20" x 16" x 6" or thereabouts. Are the mealies smart enough to come to a carrot for water if I only put in one large carrot? Or is it best to cut it in chunks and scatter it around?

What I have found is to buy a bag of baby carrots and just throw/scatter a handful around inside. They will disappear remarkably fast as the mealies pull them under and suck the "life" out of them Once you have beetles, they will eat the carrots as well. If that isn't enough moisture, you can also slice an apple into wedges and throw some of those in, just be careful/observant as I found that can provide TOO much moisture and you can end up with mold before they can finish them. I have virtually no mealies left in my 2 tubs, and very few pupae either, but I have THOUSANDS of beetles scurrying around.

I don't "sift" mine at all. If you do, once you have beetles, you should put all the "frass" you are about to throw away into another collection container (with some wheat bran - oats are too big for baby mouths) and wait to see if anything starts moving. The beetles lay eggs all over and they are VERY small. You'll most likely find young mealies growing in the frass (which is not edible for them, hence the suggestion to put in some bran).