Mealworms farming

[lovemealworms]

I need to make sure that you said the pupae do not need anything, no oatmeal or bran and NO apples or carrots... is that right? Do they need anything to keep them warm or anything? Rae

don't need anything i just put mine in a small Tupperware. Or cup until they morph into beetles. Keep them the same temp you're keeping the mealworms at and you should have beetles in 6-14 days congratulations.

 

[Granny368W]

don't need anything i just put mine in a small Tupperware. Or cup until they morph into beetles. Keep them the same temp you're keeping the mealworms at and you should have beetles in 6-14 days congratulations.

okay, I put them in a paper bowl... is it the white worms that turn into the pupae? Can the beetles get out of the drawer? I was taking out some worms this morning for my chickens when I saw the pupae, so I didn't feed them many because I was afraid I missed a pupae...lol

 

[lovemealworms]

okay, I put them in a paper bowl... is it the white worms that turn into the pupae? Can the beetles get out of the drawer? I was taking out some worms this morning for my chickens when I saw the pupae, so I didn't feed them many because I was afraid I missed a pupae...lol

no worries the white worms are the ones that have just molted. It means they are growing. After all their standard molts are done they will molt into a pupae. The beetles will not escape unless you starve them of moisture. They only leave to find a better spot to lay and if you give them their veggies they will stay. You will get very quick at finding pupaes soon. I get about 200 a day now. It's best to get them asap so if you can, check them every few hours of the daytime. You will find most by the veggies.

 

[Granny368W]

no worries the white worms are the ones that have just molted. It means they are growing. After all their standard molts are done they will molt into a pupae. The beetles will not escape unless you starve them of moisture. They only leave to find a better spot to lay and if you give them their veggies they will stay. You will get very quick at finding pupaes soon. I get about 200 a day now. It's best to get them asap so if you can, check them every few hours of the daytime. You will find most by the veggies.

okay, that's what I've been doing, looking every few hours.... so when the beetles are in the bowl, I put them back into the drawer with all the worms? What will the beetles lay their eggs on? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I really want to do this right....
we had such huge winds today the hens didn't want to stick around with me...lol Rae

 

[lovemealworms]

okay, that's what I've been doing, looking every few hours.... so when the beetles are in the bowl, I put them back into the drawer with all the worms? What will the beetles lay their eggs on? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I really want to do this right....
we had such huge winds today the hens didn't want to stick around with me...lol Rae

no problem beetles always go in their own bin with substrate you have three drawers right now correct? Top drawer for beetles. And after four weeks or so move the drawer with beetles down to next slot and put the beetles themselves into new top drawer with fresh substrate. Aftr another four weeks do it again. And move the now 4 week larvae drawer down to bottom. That will become the harvest drawer. From then on you pour second drawer into bottom and use it as the new top drawer for the beetles to move into. If you want i can draw a picture or something. I know some people need a visual. As always more questions the better.

 

[Granny368W]

no problem beetles always go in their own bin with substrate you have three drawers right now correct? Top drawer for beetles. And after four weeks or so move the drawer with beetles down to next slot and put the beetles themselves into new top drawer with fresh substrate. Aftr another four weeks do it again. And move the now 4 week larvae drawer down to bottom. That will become the harvest drawer. From then on you pour second drawer into bottom and use it as the new top drawer for the beetles to move into. If you want i can draw a picture or something. I know some people need a visual. As always more questions the better.

oh my, now I'm so confused again... can you please take a picture of your set up?.. darn, I understand so my worm drawer right now is the 2nd drawer, the beetles in the top drawer and then for the 3rd drawer will be when I pour the drawer of beetles turned to worms? And so on.... good lord how could I be so stupid ?

 

[lovemealworms]

You're not stupid it just a pain to visualize. Hopefully this helps. A picture of my setup would melt a beginners brain i think it has 23 drawers. So with these pics you do step one and two after your beetles settle into top drawer for a month. Then a month later step 3 and 4. From then on just repeat 3 and four every month. If you need any more explanation i will make a video and put it on youtube for you if you want. Any questions ask away.

 

[Granny368W]

You're not stupid it just a pain to visualize. Hopefully this helps. A picture of my setup would melt a beginners brain i think it has 23 drawers. So with these pics you do step one and two after your beetles settle into top drawer for a month. Then a month later step 3 and 4. From then on just repeat 3 and four every month. If you need any more explanation i will make a video and put it on youtube for you if you want. Any questions ask away.

okay, I think I've got it, worms don't eat works, right?

 

[lovemealworms]

Worms only eat worms when they need moisture. Glad the pictures helped.

 

[Granny368W]

Wow, I have a lot of pupae.... I just pick them out all day long...lol I could have a beetle in a week or sooner....