Mealworm farming

[bobbieschicks]

I was wondering how best to lure the beetles out of the pupa/substrate so I can move them to the beetle bin? I have an egg carton top in the pupa drawer and caught a couple that way. I've also scooped around with a plastic spoon and picked out a few that way. But if there's an easier way - I'm all for it.

 

[wattsjadajoe]

Ok.... I bought some wheat bran

that is going to be GREAT for sifting. One word of warning to those buying wheat bran at the feed store a 50 lb bag is HUGE not like buying chicken feed. I made the mistake of buying 2 bags sight unseen..... So now I have wheat bran over load.

WOW !!!

My 1 bag has lasted all year and I still have 1/4 bag!!! And I have thousands of meal worms!!!!


Joe

 

[wattsjadajoe]

I was wondering how best to lure the beetles out of the pupa/substrate so I can move them to the beetle bin? I have an egg carton top in the pupa drawer and caught a couple that way. I've also scooped around with a plastic spoon and picked out a few that way. But if there's an easier way - I'm all for it.

Apples work good for me!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Apples work good for me!

What do you do with them? Just put some apple slices on a piece if cardboard and wait for them to swarm then move it all?

 

[wattsjadajoe]

What do you do with them? Just put some apple slices on a piece if cardboard and wait for them to swarm then move it all?

Yes. It works very good. They will devour an apple slice in a couple hours!!


Joe

 

[bobbieschicks]

I got my wheat bran today to replace the wheat flour and oatmeal. I've had black beetles for about a week now. Is there any chance that there are eggs in the substrate at this point or can I safely dispose of the oatmeal flour?

Also, what was the decision about microwaving the wheat bran? Is it okay to heat it for about 20 minutes at 50% power or is it better to bake @ 130F for 15 minutes?

Thanks!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I found this discussion on raising mealworms on another forum and there is someone who does microwave the wheat bran for about a minute. They caution to not burn it.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13155

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I have used 1/2 a bag so far..... so maybe it will go quickly. I need a 55 gal barrel in the mean time though.

 

[WAchick]

Got a question about mealworm farming so hopefully this is the right thread to add to instead of starting a new one.

Is there a good way to separate the frass from tiny worms and eggs? I move the wheat bran (containing eggs) from the beetle bins and add them to my worm bin. So my worm bin always has various stages including eggs and very tiny worms. More and More frass is building up because I can't clean it without loosing small worms and eggs.

How do you all do it? Thanks.

 

[binders]

Got a question about mealworm farming so hopefully this is the right thread to add to instead of starting a new one.

Is there a good way to separate the frass from tiny worms and eggs? I move the wheat bran (containing eggs) from the beetle bins and add them to my worm bin. So my worm bin always has various stages including eggs and very tiny worms. More and More frass is building up because I can't clean it without loosing small worms and eggs.

How do you all do it? Thanks.

I sift and get out as many worms that I can and then I set the frass/eggs/tiny worms that have gone through the sift aside and let them sit for several weeks and then I sift again and get out anything that has grown in there. At this point I feel that I have gotten most of the worms out that I can and then I compost the reemaining frass. The long I can let it sit the better so that any eggs can have a chance to hatch and grow big enough to not fall through the sieve. When I think of it I will put a piece of carrot or such in there and try a lure as many little worms to the surface so that I can just scoop them up.