There seems to be two popular ways to keep mealworms, the 'all in one' or to separate lifecycle stages.
Latter being where I am heading.
The question then is do I use a 'Sieve' system and at intervals sieve beetles and transfer them or leave the beetles in a filtered/screened base container.
I'm not looking for a maximum yield, prefer ease of use, low maintenance and clean.
Either system will mean different mediums are used which wont matter.
If I am needing to sieve it would be minimum of weekly so have at the moment a preference for a screened system.
Thoughts?
Further to this, I am currently keeping larva and a small number of beetles in open plastic trays (plastic file drawers).
I'm thinking this may leave the colony open to incursion and should house these in a insect proof enclosure or better still sealed vented containers instead of the drawers?
Mealworms, Sieve or Filter (screen)
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FinchLover1999
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- Posts: 98
- Joined: 15 Apr 2012, 12:40
- Location: Brisbane
On youtube, there is a low-maintenance system where they cut the bottom out, and replace with fly screen so the eggs and feces drop through.
Here is a link on one of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VaNe3lDkts
It seems easy to make and if it requires less effort, always worth a try.
Brandon
Here is a link on one of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VaNe3lDkts
It seems easy to make and if it requires less effort, always worth a try.
Brandon
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E Orix
- ...............................
- Posts: 2740
- Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
- Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
- Location: Howlong NSW
If you want production then you must separate the eggs from the Beetles and worms.
Even doing it weekly the production would be 10 fold.
We separate every two days,new Pollard is used. The eggs are then put in a container with Bran and left to hatch
and grow. Output probably 50 fold this way. You will find the biggest problem will be getting a continual supply of egg laying Beetles.
Obviously this will only apply if you want to breed kilo's per week.
If you only want a few buy them as it is the easiest way.
You can refrigerate them and they will survive well for a long period if done properly so a kilo at $50 can save you mess and time.
The only reason we breed them is we need so many.
To store them in a refrige. Place the worms with a covering of Bran in an air tight container(must be airtight). Every 10days/14days remove
them from the refrige, remove the lid and feed them with carrot. They should be left in a warm place to feed and replace body moisture for
about 5 days then back in the refrige and keep repeating the process.
If someone has a better way let me know and also how to trigger a Kilo of worms to pupate all together.
Even doing it weekly the production would be 10 fold.
We separate every two days,new Pollard is used. The eggs are then put in a container with Bran and left to hatch
and grow. Output probably 50 fold this way. You will find the biggest problem will be getting a continual supply of egg laying Beetles.
Obviously this will only apply if you want to breed kilo's per week.
If you only want a few buy them as it is the easiest way.
You can refrigerate them and they will survive well for a long period if done properly so a kilo at $50 can save you mess and time.
The only reason we breed them is we need so many.
To store them in a refrige. Place the worms with a covering of Bran in an air tight container(must be airtight). Every 10days/14days remove
them from the refrige, remove the lid and feed them with carrot. They should be left in a warm place to feed and replace body moisture for
about 5 days then back in the refrige and keep repeating the process.
If someone has a better way let me know and also how to trigger a Kilo of worms to pupate all together.