Mealworm farming

[airmechreed]

Ok started my mealworm farm in an old gecho tank I had, about 5 days ago. Checked last night and had some pupa in there two so I think they will all start changing soon cant wait to seperate them and hope they lay lots of eggs.

 

[hannakat]

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Great news!

 

[Chickangel79]

I love checking my beetles before going to bed, the first lot are now dying off and the second are now becoming beetles, the tiny worms are multiplying, what food do the tiny worms eat?

 

[Kassaundra]

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Hi artsy1. On the first post of this thread "Mealworm Farming" you'll find a list of vendors who sell mealworms. I think all of us have ordered ours online. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Also, if you click on the 'subscribe' to this topic, you will be notified when someone posts. You can 'subscribe' to any thread you want to keep track of.

You can also buy from a local pet / bait store. Usually they will be less expensive for larger numbers online though. If you buy from the store be sure not to get super meal worms, they are treated so they don't pupate well and if they do are sterile. (they are strictly for those who only feed out and don't want to grow any, they get bigger then normal)

I got mine from petco, when I decided to start my colony we were in the middle of an intense heat wave and couldn't order them online.

 

[peafowlmom]

Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for all the information on here! I got my worms today and was so unprepared. I did not have a potato, apple, or any of the suggested items to stick in there. Luckily for me my neighbor came to the rescue! I ordered from Speedy Worm. I was looking up info. on the worms today and read about Rainbow..something. I will try to find it and get back on here. Speedy Worms was fast and so far the worms are doing great.

Summerville, SC

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I got my first ones months ago. I know why they call them speedy worms. Those things have produced at lightning speed! The ones from Exoticnutrition are moving along much slower but the pupae are huge!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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Did you see how long it was between the time I posted and the next person took my swap? It doesn't take but a minute!
I don't know why mine go so fast.
DH is amazed no one has taken my farm shirt. I told him I didn't want to put it up there but he insisted. It helps to have it there to just prove him wrong.

And still, no one grabs those meal worms. Only one taker and of course, you are interested.

 

[hannakat]

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They eat the same items as the older worms....carrot, apple, celery, zucchini, banana peal, kale, lettuce...... I've given them just about every veggie item that comes into the house.

What are you using as a substrate?

peafowlmom ~ Did you tell your neighbor why you needed it? In a pinch, you can give them anything that grows in the yard or garden (as long as you haven't sprayed it with pestisides). Mine eat as much kale, cucumber and zucchini as I do!

WestKnollAmy ~ Those eggs of yours are in high demand!! Oh for a hubby who enables.........
I will eventually be on the site at the right moment and get some worms. Figure it wouldn't hurt to add some new blood to the line. teeheee

 

[Animalian]

Quote:
Hi artsy1. On the first post of this thread "Mealworm Farming" you'll find a list of vendors who sell mealworms. I think all of us have ordered ours online. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Also, if you click on the 'subscribe' to this topic, you will be notified when someone posts. You can 'subscribe' to any thread you want to keep track of.

I went the super cheap way and bought a little tub of 50 from the pet shop. cost $4. Beetles lay HEAPS of eggs so you only have to wait a few months to be able to feed them.

 

[Chickangel79]

Quote:
They eat the same items as the older worms....carrot, apple, celery, zucchini, banana peal, kale, lettuce...... I've given them just about every veggie item that comes into the house.

What are you using as a substrate?

peafowlmom ~ Did you tell your neighbor why you needed it? In a pinch, you can give them anything that grows in the yard or garden (as long as you haven't sprayed it with pestisides). Mine eat as much kale, cucumber and zucchini as I do!

WestKnollAmy ~ Those eggs of yours are in high demand!! Oh for a hubby who enables.........
I will eventually be on the site at the right moment and get some worms. Figure it wouldn't hurt to add some new blood to the line. teeheee

I am using porridge oats and bran. I have put cucumber on a piece of paper, trouble is my second bin is quite a bit larger that the one they fall from so I have spaced it all out evenly and hope they all find a bit !!!