- Joined
- Dec 18, 2007
- Messages
- 818
I've decided to try raising mealworms, perhaps even superworms. Can anyone give me some pointers on how to set them up? Temps? Food? Etc.
Breeding mealworms?
- Thread starter EightLeggedFrea
- Start date
These guys are tooo easy to breed, even when neglected for months.
For substrate, you can use wheat germ, oatmeal, wheat bran, and lots others (dont be afraid to mix these). I've had bad luck with oatmeal, it seems to mold very fast. You need more floor space than height (atleast 2-5in deep). I personally use carrots and potatoes for moisture 1-2 times a week (could do more or less, haven't used these in months though, they seem fine. Room temp is fine.
Check and remove any pupae (very much a pain, I stick to supers because of this) every week or so or they will be eaten by the other worms. Once you have a ton of beetles (diff container for beetles btw), change the substrate every 2weeks-1month for an optimum amount of eggs (place these in another container). Once the substrate in the worm colony starts to become very dusty from frass (feces), change it. I recommend using a mask as you can become allergic (do this outdoors, this stuff is really dusty). You can do this by using a fine sifter.
It's very easy once you do these things at least once. If you have a local feed store, they should sell the substrate(s) at a cheap price.
Edit: Give the beetles something to climb/hide in, it will cause less stress (TP rolls/egg flats)
Also, give beetles/worms LOTS of ventilation. Cut out the lid and glue/tape mesh, moisture = mold on these substrates.
For substrate, you can use wheat germ, oatmeal, wheat bran, and lots others (dont be afraid to mix these). I've had bad luck with oatmeal, it seems to mold very fast. You need more floor space than height (atleast 2-5in deep). I personally use carrots and potatoes for moisture 1-2 times a week (could do more or less, haven't used these in months though, they seem fine. Room temp is fine.
Check and remove any pupae (very much a pain, I stick to supers because of this) every week or so or they will be eaten by the other worms. Once you have a ton of beetles (diff container for beetles btw), change the substrate every 2weeks-1month for an optimum amount of eggs (place these in another container). Once the substrate in the worm colony starts to become very dusty from frass (feces), change it. I recommend using a mask as you can become allergic (do this outdoors, this stuff is really dusty). You can do this by using a fine sifter.
It's very easy once you do these things at least once. If you have a local feed store, they should sell the substrate(s) at a cheap price.
Edit: Give the beetles something to climb/hide in, it will cause less stress (TP rolls/egg flats)
Also, give beetles/worms LOTS of ventilation. Cut out the lid and glue/tape mesh, moisture = mold on these substrates.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
- Messages
- 1,419
Substate:
1/3 Cornmeal
2/3 Oatmeal
Moisture:
Fresh baby carrots every 2 days, old carrots removed(very important).
Temperature:
80F-84F
-Note: Try to separate larvae from pupae before larvae actually pupates.
-Note: Do not over crowd!
Using this method, I have managed to produce 2 generations in 4 months.
1/3 Cornmeal
2/3 Oatmeal
Moisture:
Fresh baby carrots every 2 days, old carrots removed(very important).
Temperature:
80F-84F
-Note: Try to separate larvae from pupae before larvae actually pupates.
-Note: Do not over crowd!
Using this method, I have managed to produce 2 generations in 4 months.
Nobody evers uses the search function......
There is a large thread on this topic complete with how-to photos and explanations already on the boards, just use the Search button at the top of the page you are viewing now....
Here are some related topics of you do a broader search:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/search.php?searchid=1918336
There is a large thread on this topic complete with how-to photos and explanations already on the boards, just use the Search button at the top of the page you are viewing now....
Here are some related topics of you do a broader search:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/search.php?searchid=1918336
Hey Matt, I beg to differ - I used the search function to find this thread - and your link doesn't take me anywhere, by the way ...Nobody evers uses the search function......
There is a large thread on this topic complete with how-to photos and explanations already on the boards, just use the Search button at the top of the page you are viewing now....
Here are some related topics of you do a broader search:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/search.php?searchid=1918336
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2009
- Messages
- 151
I use wheat bran and chicken laying mash (non medicated) for my mealworms and superworms. For moisture, I use potatoes for the mealworms and carrots for the beetles. If your interested in breeding superworms, checkout my YouTube videos. Link below in signature. They require a little more time and patience, and different setup. Good luck with your breeding project.