Raising mealies in one container-question

[mommom4]

I've got 4 separate containers to raise mealy worms, but do not have screening or layers or bugs dropping down. I'm trying to multiply them in a self contained area and keep adding wheat bran and carrots. Any advise from anyone? Will this work without separating mealies from pupae from eggs, etc. Thanks everyone!

 

[crossgirl]

Wow. Must need coffee. I read that as raising meaties in one container!

 

[BellevueOmlet]

- that's a bad idea

I believe you can do mealies in one container but you will end up with less in the end due to cannibalism.
I use two containers and have PLENTY after starting out with 50 so you might be ok in a single container.
I'm not sure what you mean by them not dropping down but if you have 4 containers and don't mind the effort, you will end up with more mealies if you seperate the beetles from the worms.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I raise them in a single container. If you provide suitable conditions, cannibalism in T. molitor is extremely low. You can see how I raise them in the link in my sig. line. The colony in this pic is now over 20 years old and production is great:

 

[mommom4]

THANKS!!! That's how mine look... just wanted to be sure I wasn't killing them.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

Thank you, that is good to know. I'm sure I will get tired of transferring them to different containers and will switch to a single container like you show. For now, I am always excited to find new beetles every day and enjoy transferring and knowing it means more mealies