Mealworm farming

[CluckyJay]

That is so cool Kass!

 

[Kassaundra]

I made one addition today. I was worried there might not be enough humidity especially w/ the house heat on now so I added a plastic margerine container of water in each bin, they can't climb up the sides and the water won't get anything wet but hopefully will bump the humidity just a bit.

 

[andrea98]

If your humidity is too low what happens?? Do the beetles not hatch right ? I have two beetles that are all brown & shriveled up? They were alive & I gave the first one a grape .. Don't think it helped.. They were just two that got under the water dish of my geckos.

 

[Kassaundra]

Most insects that molt, especially those that molt multiple times benefit by humidity, it aids in the molting process. But it is a delicate balance of humidity w/o mold. They can tolerate lower humidity, and generally the humidity of the environment is enough, but I have added some drying heat in the form of light bulbs and mine are in the home w/ the electric forced air heat, that is why I think I needed a little passive humidity added.

 

[andrea98]

I just ordered 1000 worms ( same place I got them before) for 14.00 that includes shipping. So my worm farming will begin as soon as the mail gets here!!!!

 

[anklebiter]

Hello all. I'm a newbie to the forum, but have been raising mealworms for about a year now.

Actually, this thread is what brought me to this forum. This is about the best ongoing thread about mealworms around. I don't have chickens yet, but am being inspired by this forum and will probably start with a few chicks this spring. My daughter loves chicks and usually ends up with a couple around Easter, so this spring we might as well keep them. I've got a lot of learning to do, but I can't think of a better place to start than here.

Anyway, I have a question for some of you that use the 3-drawer method. Have you noticed a difference in output between the 3-drawer method and the one-tub method? I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle for mealies. It makes all the difference in the world for Superworms (Zophobas Morio), due to the cannibalism rates being higher. I would be curious to see the different outputs with mealies using this method or if any of you actually compared. I know that Gallo Del Cielo uses a 10-gallon aquarium and has more than enough. I am currently using a Sterilite Tote that measures 16" x 11" x 6" and is doing quite well, but I do have a 3-drawer container that is currently not being utilized.

Thanks all!

Rob

 

[Kassaundra]

anklebiter,

from Oklahoma and

Sorry I don't know the answer, my colony isn't big enough to start harvesting and I only have used the one bin method.

 

[ipana]

anklebiter, I don't know the answer either since I've only used the one-bin method. Since this is working well, I decided to have 3 bins but having all stages in each of the bin. In order to know the answer, it would seem that someone would need to do both methods in the same location so that everything is the same...temp, humidity, food source, frequency of feeding, etc. Maybe we have some scientists on board who would like to try?

It would actually be a good project for a middle-school science fair, wouldn't it?

 

[binders]

I have both the bin and the 3 drawer system going at one point and I have found that since I started separating out the pupa I have bewen having a lot less deformed beetles. This may be due to several factors but so far I like the 3 bin better and am letting any little larva in my bin grow up and will move them out. Everyone else is already moved out. It would be fair to say though, that the bin system would be easier to do but I really like to be hands on with these little guys and check on them several times a day and move pupa/beetles around when needed.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

The meal worms are enjoying their Thanksgiving treat. Pumpkin!
This is my bin of ExoticNutrition stock. I got them back in July and this is only as far along as they are. This is also the bin that fell into the floor the other day.
My DH put the slice in there and said, "Belly up to the bar, everyone!" Looks like they took him up on it!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

May your travels be safe and your time with family and friends terrific and memorable.