Mealworm farming

[binders]

To raise the humidity I use a wet sponge that is then put in a plastic deli container. The container keeps the sponge from coming in contact with the substrate and also keeps the worms from getting on the sponge.

 

[kizanne]

Quote:
New pupa today, actually I had one early developer last week, but this morning I have several.

10-05 new pupa


So it looks like 9 wks from pupa to pupa.
Is this consistant w/ everyone else?

Mine was more like 10 to 11 weeks but temps matter.

 

[Terri O]

I think my colony has crashed!

I picked out worms today for the girls (probably 30) and dumped all the containers together. Saw no new worms and only lethargic beetles. I divided what was there into 3rds and put the bedding with beetles back into the cottage cheese containers. Can the farm be too hot? I moved the containers near the heat lamp for my daughter's gecko. I am hoping they can recover. TErri O

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

Quote:
I would really like to see pics of that set up.
Do you keep the refrigerators inside, or out? Does it help to stabilize the temps? How do you get enough ventilation? How do you keep the moisture levels dry enough?

I will get a pic as soon as I can. Daughter has my camera and will not be back till Nov. I have one set up and it is set up with thermostat. Drilled holes through the wall for ventilation. I am setting them up sort of like large GQF incubators except I am using light bulbs enclosed in metal cans for a heat source until I get some heating elements. I am having a hard time locating broken down free refrigerators. I am putting them in my shop that is unheated. I think the refrigs are insulated so well it will maintain temp just fine

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I would really like to see pics of that set up.
Do you keep the refrigerators inside, or out? Does it help to stabilize the temps? How do you get enough ventilation? How do you keep the moisture levels dry enough?

I will get a pic as soon as I can. Daughter has my camera and will not be back till Nov. I have one set up and it is set up with thermostat. Drilled holes through the wall for ventilation. I am setting them up sort of like large GQF incubators except I am using light bulbs enclosed in metal cans for a heat source until I get some heating elements. I am having a hard time locating broken down free refrigerators. I am putting them in my shop that is unheated. I think the refrigs are insulated so well it will maintain temp just fine

First of all without a camera till NOV!!!!!!!

I would need some medication for that!!!!

Your system sounds awesome I could keep the wormies in the garage and get major numbers going and keep the ants out.

Now more about how you vent. How big of holes, where, and anything covering them like screen. forced air vent like a fan or just natural?

The wheels are turning ................................ I'm imagining the back wall of my garage wall to wall fridges full of mealies ..................... Oh My!!!!!

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I've heard temps can be at 100 and they are okay, but I would think keeping them w/ enough moisture at the higher levels would be harder.

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

Quote:
I will get a pic as soon as I can. Daughter has my camera and will not be back till Nov. I have one set up and it is set up with thermostat. Drilled holes through the wall for ventilation. I am setting them up sort of like large GQF incubators except I am using light bulbs enclosed in metal cans for a heat source until I get some heating elements. I am having a hard time locating broken down free refrigerators. I am putting them in my shop that is unheated. I think the refrigs are insulated so well it will maintain temp just fine

First of all without a camera till NOV!!!!!!!

I would need some medication for that!!!!

Your system sounds awesome I could keep the wormies in the garage and get major numbers going and keep the ants out.

Now more about how you vent. How big of holes, where, and anything covering them like screen. forced air vent like a fan or just natural?

The wheels are turning ................................ I'm imagining the back wall of my garage wall to wall fridges full of mealies ..................... Oh My!!!!!

I'm using a very small fan to circulate the air inside. The vents have covers to adjust for the humidity. I am trying to figure out the best temp and humidity. Any suggestions on that would be appreciated

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
First of all without a camera till NOV!!!!!!!

I would need some medication for that!!!!

Your system sounds awesome I could keep the wormies in the garage and get major numbers going and keep the ants out.

Now more about how you vent. How big of holes, where, and anything covering them like screen. forced air vent like a fan or just natural?

The wheels are turning ................................ I'm imagining the back wall of my garage wall to wall fridges full of mealies ..................... Oh My!!!!!

I'm using a very small fan to circulate the air inside. The vents have covers to adjust for the humidity. I am trying to figure out the best temp and humidity. Any suggestions on that would be appreciated

I don't adjust the humidity in my small colony, but my temps are in the mid to high 70's (76-78) and they go from pupa to pupa in 9 weeks. Right now mine are in a plastic tub in the spare room in the house.

 

[Smokin Silkies]

I got my first mealies today!!! I was soooo excited!

Even more exciting to meet a local BYCer HANNAKAT!!! VERY nice woman! My kids had a good time and were surprisingly grabbing the mealies. They fed some to her chickens too. We all had fun, & they talked about it the whole way home. My 4 yr old held the container on his lap til we got home. This is an exciting new adventure for me & I wish I would've started this a LOOOOONG time ago

I am so glad I found this thread and hannakat...thank you for your generosity and selling me my very first mealies

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
I would really like to see pics of that set up.
Do you keep the refrigerators inside, or out? Does it help to stabilize the temps? How do you get enough ventilation? How do you keep the moisture levels dry enough?

I will get a pic as soon as I can. Daughter has my camera and will not be back till Nov. I have one set up and it is set up with thermostat. Drilled holes through the wall for ventilation. I am setting them up sort of like large GQF incubators except I am using light bulbs enclosed in metal cans for a heat source until I get some heating elements. I am having a hard time locating broken down free refrigerators. I am putting them in my shop that is unheated. I think the refrigs are insulated so well it will maintain temp just fine

Gosh, come to the south. People around here like to put washing machines and old refrigerators out on their porches. I am not sure if they still run or they are just porch ornaments. I personally do not know people that do this but you see it a lot!

Considering some of the locals, they probably use the washing machines to put ice and beer in as well as the fridges!