Help with mealworm breeding

Enrgy

Arachnosquire
Joined
Mar 16, 2018
Messages
135
Alright, so my attempt to breed mealworms started on November 26. I removed them from the refrigerator and put them into a plastic container filled with oats. Almost a month later and not even one pupae :/
 

boina

Lady of the mites
Active Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
2,214
1. How big were the mealworms to begin with?
2. How warm do you keep them?
3. What do you feed except oats?
3a. They need some veggies from time to time (like once a week or so): carrot, apple, squash, everything that doesn't contain too much moisture, and only as much as they eat in a day or so. If you get your colony wet they'll die.
3b. Protein: They don't need much, but a little protein goes a long way, especially if you want to increase pupation. I add a handful of fish flakes every two weeks or so. You can also use ground up dog kibble, but ime fish flakes work better.

(I've a colony since 4 years or so - they pupate at a steady rate.)
 

Enrgy

Arachnosquire
Joined
Mar 16, 2018
Messages
135
1. How big were the mealworms to begin with?
2. How warm do you keep them?
3. What do you feed except oats?
3a. They need some veggies from time to time (like once a week or so): carrot, apple, squash, everything that doesn't contain too much moisture, and only as much as they eat in a day or so. If you get your colony wet they'll die.
3b. Protein: They don't need much, but a little protein goes a long way, especially if you want to increase pupation. I add a handful of fish flakes every two weeks or so. You can also use ground up dog kibble, but ime fish flakes work better.

(I've a colony since 4 years or so - they pupate at a steady rate.)
I'm sorry I didn't specify (i just woke up lol) but i picked the biggest ones from the fridge. They're quite big and have a lot of color to them. They're kept about 75 degrees and I feed nothing but oats but will add some veggies.
 

Venom1080

Arachnoemperor
Joined
Sep 24, 2015
Messages
4,607
The beetles like hides too. I just use a large flat piece of bark. Find hundreds of worms under there every time too.

I keep mine basically the same as boina.

Think it took a couple months to start seeing babies with beetles.
 

sschind

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
366
thanks guys :) will fruit do as well?
Small pieces of fruit or veggies that are not too much water (I like apples and sweet potatoes) or cut into smaller, thinner slices so they dry out before they mold will work well for moisture. For a small colony I'd consider adding some wheat bran along with the oats just for variety. It shouldn't be too costly.

It takes time. Just be patient. a month isn't that long if the worms were not ready to pupate.
 

Enrgy

Arachnosquire
Joined
Mar 16, 2018
Messages
135
Small pieces of fruit or veggies that are not too much water (I like apples and sweet potatoes) or cut into smaller, thinner slices so they dry out before they mold will work well for moisture. For a small colony I'd consider adding some wheat bran along with the oats just for variety. It shouldn't be too costly.

It takes time. Just be patient. a month isn't that long if the worms were not ready to pupate.
alright bet thanks :)
 
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