Mealworm farming

[abqferreira]

I have been reading that you don't want the colony too damp, but our average humidity here is usually under 20%, so things dessicate long before they mold. What do you think?

 

[aart]

I have been reading that you don't want the colony too damp, but our average humidity here is usually under 20%, so things dessicate long before they mold. What do you think?

Agrees...but I'd keep close watch.
Do you have covers on your bins?

 

[abqferreira]

I just moved my worms from a plastic shoebox type container without a lid to a 3 drawer unit. Maybe the moisture will be better contained now?

 

[aart]

I just moved my worms from a plastic shoebox type container without a lid to a 3 drawer unit. Maybe the moisture will be better contained now?

I would think so.

ETA..I imagine that you've got to balance some ventilation with humidity levels.
But there are probably small gaps in drawers for ventilation.

 

[Noreaster Egger]

I made some homemade waterers using travel sized shampoo bottles and cotton twine. You put the twine through the hole and fill the bottle with water. Make sure the hole is small enough so no water leaks through...you just want the twine to absorb moisture. My mealworms and beetles love congregating on the twine for moisture. I got tired/lazy with replacing moist paper towels.

 

[Kusanar]

I made some homemade waterers using travel sized shampoo bottles and cotton twine. You put the twine through the hole and fill the bottle with water. Make sure the hole is small enough so no water leaks through...you just want the twine to absorb moisture. My mealworms and beetles love congregating on the twine for moisture. I got tired/lazy with replacing moist paper towels.

I was also thinking about rigging something with one of those things you use for washing dishes, it's a handle with a sponge on the end and you fill the handle with dish soap.. I was thinking about using one of those full of water for them...

 

[abqferreira]

I love hearing all the custom solutions! There is a lot of innovative creativity out there.

 

[Latestarter]

I was also thinking about rigging something with one of those things you use for washing dishes, it's a handle with a sponge on the end and you fill the handle with dish soap.. I was thinking about using one of those full of water for them...

I think that the pourousness (I know, not a word) of the sponge on those things is such that thick liquid like the soap won't run out through it, but water might... Let us know what you find!

 

[cmarlowdrive]

I started a farm 2 weeks ago with Giant Mealworms and going by the book with no changes to report. No change in color, no pupae, no beetles, nothing. Anxious to see some changes. It may take longer because they are Giants, not sure.
Their bedding consist of oats, yellow corn meal, chicken starter feed and moisture is a combination of potato, carrot, celery.

Will I see changes soon? What am I doing wrong?

 

[abqferreira]

From what I have read online, those Giant Mealworms are sterile and not good to use for a mealworm farm. Curious to hear what others think. When I received my order, some were already pupae when they arrived, so I would be suspicious if yours are all the same.