Mealworm farming

[LibertyChick]

Quote:
There is a group of us in town making progress towards getting the ordinance changed. We are making progress.

You might want to contact the 10th Amendment center for their assistance. I think they have info/techniques/sample laws that can help you. This is all part of Nullification. There were several towns in Maine that nullified the FDA and have food freedom in their towns.

Blue Hill becomes third town in Maine to pass food freedom law
http://www.naturalnews.com/032142_food_freedom_Maine.html#ixzz1T8XsdGjy

Are you familir with the 10th Amendment Center? It's an organization that can help your town accomplish what you are trying to do and more.

http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2011/07/22/push-back-against-fda-growing/

 

[Klwright1122]

What is the easiest way to harvest meal worms? I recieved 5k worms last week and have pulled out soooo many pupa already that I'm kinda concerned that most of these are going to pupate really soon. So I think I want to bag em all up and refrigerate them. What's the easiest quickest way to get em out with taking a little substrate as possible ? I also noticed some of those black bugs in the bedding--u know the kind u find in your flour when it gets old. I was careful to nuke my bedding before I used it, I'm guessing it didn't work. My bins are in our barn/ garage and maybe I'll never be able to keep bugs outta there.. Will they bother my worms, or just eat the grain?

 

[bustermommy]

This is probably somewhere in this thread, but I can't find it. I have a ton of beetles now. About how long before I get worms? I am seeing a few worms but they appear to be dead (black). It has been in the 90s every day. Could this be hurting them? I know they like warm, but how warm is too warm?

Thanks.

(First worm farm; I hope to spoil my chickens and entertain myself.

)

 

[sassifrassi]

Quote:
You'll probably see little worms in a month or so. Its been hot here too - just keep them ventilated and let them have a water/food source (celery or carrots or even the water pillows for crickets you find in the pet store). You will find some dead worms...but thats life...or not.

 

[sassifrassi]

Quote:
You'll probably see little worms in a month or so. Its been hot here too - just keep them ventilated and let them have a water/food source (celery or carrots or even the water pillows for crickets you find in the pet store). You will find some dead worms...but thats life...or not.

Oh, and when you see the babies - banana peels! They love 'em! And they don't get moldy too fast either.

 

[bustermommy]

Sounds like there's going to be a run on banana peels. My chickens love them too.

 

[Cricket Creek]

I can't recommend enough these cheap multi drawer setups with a DIY screen in the top drawer. I used plastic needle point canvas to make my screened bottom. I rotate my drawers about once a month. This setup is working so well for me I'm planning to pickup a 2nd 3 drawer setup to expand my production.

Brett

Quote:
I ended up at a local "organic type" store and they had wheat bran in bulk containers to purchase. I had never been there before but thanks to whoever mentioned it, I gave it a shot...neat place actually.

I paid a $1 a pound but considering the feed store is about 30-40 minutes away it was worth it. I bought 3 lbs which when mixed with a little cornmeal was enough to fill all three bins. I bought 300 mealworms (all they had at the local pet shop) and we are giving it a go. My son (8) is very excited...my wife and daughter (12)...not so much..

So far the only animal we have that eats meal worms is my sons Leopard Gecko but we should get o.k from the city (hopefully

) in a few weeks for chickens. We put a couple of potato slices and a couple of carrot slices in and they are eating them up.

My sons dinosaur guarding the mealworms....and it keeps the cats off the top

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/JustinGalco/IMAG0433.jpg

 

[Klwright1122]

Quote:
I ended up at a local "organic type" store and they had wheat bran in bulk containers to purchase. I had never been there before but thanks to whoever mentioned it, I gave it a shot...neat place actually.

I paid a $1 a pound but considering the feed store is about 30-40 minutes away it was worth it. I bought 3 lbs which when mixed with a little cornmeal was enough to fill all three bins. I bought 300 mealworms (all they had at the local pet shop) and we are giving it a go. My son (8) is very excited...my wife and daughter (12)...not so much..

So far the only animal we have that eats meal worms is my sons Leopard Gecko but we should get o.k from the city (hopefully

) in a few weeks for chickens. We put a couple of potato slices and a couple of carrot slices in and they are eating them up.

My sons dinosaur guarding the mealworms....and it keeps the cats off the top

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/JustinGalco/IMAG0433.jpg


I'm curious how the 3 drawers work. Take a pic of ur drawers. Your top drawer is beetlesaathey lay eggs and fall through the screen to the bottom? All of em...do you ever find worms in the top drawer? The second bin consists of the eggs which eventually turn to worms and stay there until they are mature. Your bottom drawer is pupa? When they turn to beetles u put em up top?

 

[crazy huhn]

Quote:
I like to harvest with a new cat litter scoop or for larger amounts I use a colander.
You do want the worms to have some wheat bran and a little piece of carrot while in the refrigerator. They will just go dormant. As soon as you take them out, they will warm up and eat from the bran and get their moisture from the carrot.

Not sure why you have bugs in your bedding. I do freeze AND nuke mine before using it, maybe the bugs came from your veggies?

 

[crazy huhn]

BuffyGRL: I have send you several Emails and PMs in regards of mealworms. It says your inbox is full.....Hopefully it is full with at least one of my mails to you.