Wholesale Grain?

Stylopidae

Arachnoking
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I have three questions.

1.) Where can I find the cheapest deli cups online?

2.) Where can I find decent mealworm food at wholesale prices?

3.) I tried to raise superworms, but I never got them to lay eggs. I got the beetles to pupate and hatch and I tossed them into a container full of oats.

Do they need a moist substrate?
 
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Dark Raptor

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Evil Cheshire said:
3.) I tried to raise superworms, but I never got them to lay eggs. I got the beetles to pupate and hatch and I tossed them into a container full of oats.

Do they need a moist substrate?
I've always put a large pieces of rottened, moist wood (taken from deciduous tree) and I've got a lot of new larvae.
 

Wade

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I don't know if they're the cheapest but http://www.superiorenterprise.com/ has a great variety of sizes, with the option of having them pre-punched for animal use. Also, check out the vented lids for rearing insects. These are really great when you want to keep something in a cup that needs more ventilation.

Are you looking for some sort of commercial mealworm food? No idea about that, but they can be reared in almost any grain product like generic "old fashioned" oatmeal etc. I've also used unmedicated chick mash which is available for $8 a 40 lb bag from a feed store.

I agree with Dark Raptor about the superworms. Rotten logs are the key. You don't need to keep them on grain. I rear mine on a bed of apen bedding mixed with peat moss. There are several rotten logs in there that serve as both egg laying sites and food (they love wood) as well as a place to pupate. If you have logs in there, there is no need to split out the larvae for pupation or any of that stuff. I usually keep one end of the rearing container slightly moist. I add food on the dry end, usually the aforementioned chick mash. I think the food may be optional, as they seem to still do well without it, but the chick mash is devoured quickly.

Wade
 

Stylopidae

Arachnoking
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Wade said:
I don't know if they're the cheapest but http://www.superiorenterprise.com/ has a great variety of sizes
Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

wade said:
I've also used unmedicated chick mash which is available for $8 a 40 lb bag from a feed store.
Thanks again. Exactly what I needed. Now finding a feed store where I live is going to be a problem. I live near a city and I have no idea where I could get chick mash.

Not being able to find a feed store when you live in Iowa...go figure {D

wade said:
There are several rotten logs in there that serve as both egg laying sites and food (they love wood) as well as a place to pupate. If you have logs in there, there is no need to split out the larvae for pupation or any of that stuff.
Grr...another thing I can't find. None of the garden supply stores around here have peat moss for sale, it's too late in the season. Would bed a beast or any other coconut coir product work?
 

Wade

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Evil Cheshire said:
Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.



Thanks again. Exactly what I needed. Now finding a feed store where I live is going to be a problem. I live near a city and I have no idea where I could get chick mash.

Not being able to find a feed store when you live in Iowa...go figure {D



Grr...another thing I can't find. None of the garden supply stores around here have peat moss for sale, it's too late in the season. Would bed a beast or any other coconut coir product work?
Do you have Southern States stores in your area? They're mainly a feed store chain, but they have city/suburban locations as well. These are usually set up as garden shops, but they still carry the feed as well.

Peat should be available at Lowes, Home Depot, Wal Mart etc all year. If not, coconut coir should work just fine. Straight aspen would PROBABLY work, but I've never tried it that way.

Wade
 
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