Question regarding mealworms

[doglover1]

Hi, newbie here. Not sure if this is the right place to post or not. Forgive me if not.
I have around 5900 mealies, trying to raise and breed. One thing I cannot seem to find a answer to is how often does one remove the beetle bedding for new eggs? I seive my bedding out. I've had my mealies a few months now, and recently dumped all the beetle bedding into a large rubbermaide container. I see no movement at all. I know they are only pin sized. Maybe I waited to long and the beetles ate them? Or maybe it is a much slower process then I thought lol. I just don't know how often I should seive the bedding for eggs. Thank you.

 

[Tex63]

Hi, You should sift for meal worm eggs i.e. tiny worms once a week or if pressed once every two (though the latter will result in more being eaten by beetles). Also make sure your container is warm and has done humidity 70 percent is recommended but I have found placing a soaked sponge in a plastic baggy hung on the inside will suffice. Hope this helps and welcome

 

[doglover1]

Hi there, Thank you for your reply. I left them to long then lol. Now I know. Thanks so much

 

[Tex63]

No problem you may still get a few but they should be large enough to see. Try again in sure you will have better luck next time also make sure you put a potato or apple or cricket gel in for the beetles to get some moisture if you use fruit or potato make sure you check it daily and discard at first sign of mold. Cricket gel is more stable and doesn't mold but it is more costly than the potato route. The gel can be bought at most pet stores you can even get some that has vitamins or calcium in it which the larvae and beetles eat and the can be passed on to the chickens when they eat them