I have a quick question. Is there any danger of beetles becoming overcrowded?
Due to my heating my mealworm farm https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming/6470#post_12746469, the speeded up life cycles have resulted in an explosion in my beetle population. I'm thrilled, but a little concerned. There seem to be thousands all roiling together in happy procreation, but is this healthy for them to be so crowded?
In our opinion, the general rule of thumb for beetles being overcrowded is: If you can not see the substrate, then overcrowding might be a problem. Meaning if you have beetles down in the substrate, and bunches hiding in the tubes or egg cartons, and still when you look down and the beetles are pulled on each other in a way that the substrate is completely obscured, it might be an issue.
Over crowding probably does not hurt or bother the beetles, however. The bigger question is when they are overcrowded will they get enough food and moisture, to lay eggs at optimum rates. Also with the larger numbers, are they more likely to eat thier own eggs?