Mealworm farming

[zarafa121]

After a time with the mites, I've gone the preventative route, as suggested here - 30 minutes in at least a 300 degree oven to kill the mite eggs in the bran. I breathe a little easier . . .

 

[Sarahsdawn]

Our mite issue preceded our wheat bran. But it sat in a hot car yesterday for hours and hours in the sun....anything that was living must surely be dead!

My mealie bin right now has about 1,000....all of them are big and juicy, I'm probably close to a pupa explosion! And then a beetle explosion, and then a baby explosion! I gave them a whole bunch of scrappy-scraps today to hurry them along. Carrots, apples, celery, sweet peppers, cucumber...all odds and ends. They're sitting on the couch with hubs and I, so we can watch them play on their vegetable playground.

 

[Sarahsdawn]

Something else....for anyone raising red wiggler worms, where do you get them? The source that keeps coming up in google/amazon is Uncle Jim's, and I really don't want to order from them.

 

[chrissiepotpie]

You can usually get red wrigglers at bait stores and sometimes at garden stores.

 

[estamets]

Something else....for anyone raising red wiggler worms, where do you get them? The source that keeps coming up in google/amazon is Uncle Jim's, and I really don't want to order from them. 

I got mine from a hobbyist in Orange County. Where are you? I'd be happy to share his info.

 

[evemfoster]

Something else....for anyone raising red wiggler worms, where do you get them? The source that keeps coming up in google/amazon is Uncle Jim's, and I really don't want to order from them.

I don't blame you Uncle Jim's has a truly bad reputation.

Vermicomposting forum http://vermicomposters.ning.com/

There is a thread about the different worm sellers and the members experiences with them.

 

[aart]

Excellent source for Red Worms for Vermicomposting

http://www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/Wormwoman_catalog_Redworms__Eisenia_fetida__43.html

 

[Sarahsdawn]

So far, Uncle Jim's is winning the price game. Blerg. $94 for 5,000 with free shipping.

 

[evemfoster]

So far, Uncle Jim's is winning the price game. Blerg. $94 for 5,000 with free shipping.

I never bought from Uncle Jim's but people who i know who have bought from him have not been happy with their purchase. They have complained about short orders, sluggish, dehydrated and undersized worms. No one has ever gotten replacement worms or refunds. For that matter they rarely get return phone calls.

 

[Sarahsdawn]

I found a seller with the same exact deal! Yay! I'm putting in my order on Sunday, and I should have them sometime next week. It should be a nice addition to our mealies!