Mealworm farming

[Ivywoods]

What were those moth traps someone mentioned? I've been going back through the posts and I can't seem to find it. It sounds like something I could use whether I move to a 3 drawer system or not.

Where can I find them?

 

[Tivona]

Is Post#3420 the one you are talking about?

I think besides having window screening tightly over each bin, that traps are the way to go. Even with the screening they can get in there, I don't know how but the Safer's traps are the best for me. I got another brand that looked a little different and never caught one moth while the Safer's one filled up.
There's a youtube video about cutting the bottoms out of those drawers but basically you have to use a utility knife and cut gradually. Like score it, then make the score deeper with each cut. It isn't easy but if you try to make a cut all the way through first try you'll shatter the plastic. Ask me how I know that

 

[slabcrappy]

Thank you very much for all of this information. I am thinking of ordering 5000 worms so I can really get things going. While bringing in firewood today the girls found some booty under the bottom layer of logs! They were living large scratching up the ground under there getting worms, sow bugs, larvae, seedlings and greens that were unaccessable before. I LOVE having chickens.

Sal

 

[t/m]

hannakat,
Thank you for your reply, you are very helpful! Also we were shopping today and bought a bigger 3 drawer and will be filling it soon, I guess I'll hunt around and order from somewhere. P.S. I have family in Union City, Conneautville and Erie, is that your neck of the woods? I'm in VA. Thanks again!

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

A couple nights ago I found 3 pupa in my mealworm farm. Does anyone know how long it will be until they are beetles? Do I need to provide potatoes for them? Or do they not eat while they are in the pupa stage? Another question, will the mealworms eat the pupa?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

A couple nights ago I found 3 pupa in my mealworm farm. Does anyone know how long it will be until they are beetles? Do I need to provide potatoes for them? Or do they not eat while they are in the pupa stage? Another question, will the mealworms eat the pupa?

Congratulations on the pupae! hannakat has life cycle details on the first page of this thread. They don't eat while they are pupating, so you don't really have to provide anything for them. The mealworms can eat the pupae, but it's not very likely, especially if they have other things to eat.

 

[galanie]

What were those moth traps someone mentioned?  I've been going back through the posts and I can't seem to find it.  It sounds like something I could use whether I move to a 3 drawer system or not.

Where can I find them?

I found the Safer's brand moth traps at a feed store. But I've seen them at grocery stores too. They are basically sticky stuff with a tiny pheromone lure that you stick in the middle of the thing.

 

[Emily1220]

TRISH......I WAITED LIKE YOU SAID AND NOW TODAY.......I GOT WORMIES!!!! TINY TINY WORMIES!!!!! Finally!!

 

[SherrieT]

I had an explosion in my worm bin!!

I kept thinking nothing was happening and then POW. It's full of pupa and beetles. It's going to take forever to sort these out!!!

 

[bloom_ss]

Funny thing happened just yesterday, I took out the middle drawer of my 3 drawer worm farm and showed it to my hubby. He didn't see anything so I ran my hand through it and the whole bin just started wiggling!! LOL Teeny tiny worms EVERYWHERE, and his reaction was absolutely priceless: "Gaaaaahhhh...Ugggghhhh! GET THOSE THINGS AWAY FROM ME!! That's so gross, Steph!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Totally funny! I'm still laughing about it.