how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

Discussion in 'Feeder Forum' started by shinchanyo, Oct 5, 2007.

  1. shinchanyo

    shinchanyo New Member

    Messages:
    103
    im going 2 buy i mealworm bin 2 breed and feed mealworms (and sometimes sale).but i have no idea how 2 breed them,or feed them
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

    Messages:
    5,483
     
  3. Fiche

    Fiche GOTM Winner

    Messages:
    4,640
    They should be housed in some high quality gutload. I like the stuff from cricketfood.com. You'll want 1-3 inches on the bottom, then throw some veggies on the top. (Make sure you change out the veggies every few days so they don't go moldy.) I like using baby carrots but potatos work well too.

    You want to make sure the bin they're in stays warm, 75-80 seems to be best for my guys. You will also want to make sure that they have plenty of ventilation. Mealworms don't really climb so you can just leave their container open with no lid if you feel it's deep enough. Along with ventilation, you want to make sure they have enough room to crawl around so that they aren't competing for space or food. If you notice die-off you can try lessening the number of worms you have in there or you can try adding some egg cartons for them to crawl on.

    You also want to sure that the bedding stays dry and clean. Cleaning the bin once a month or so would probably help out.
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

    Messages:
    5,483
     
  5. RobertII

    RobertII Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,300
    Fiche is correct on mealworm care.
    I have a breeding Superworms care sheet on my site. (My Sig has a link to my site.)
    Mealies and supers are just about the same when it comes to breeding.
    It should help you out.
    If you have any questions just ask.

    Robert
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

    Messages:
    5,483
     
  7. geckopimp

    geckopimp Embryo

    Messages:
    25
    all i do with mine is dump some chicken food in roofing tubs from home depot,then stick them in the garage...i never do anything to mine,and now i've got millions!!
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

    Messages:
    5,483
     
  9. shinchanyo

    shinchanyo New Member

    Messages:
    103
    lol wow,do u live in a war or cold place,i live in tennessee
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

    Messages:
    5,483
     
  11. craziiikris10

    craziiikris10 Member

    Messages:
    862
    how do you go about cleaning out the container?
     
  12. geckopimp

    geckopimp Embryo

    Messages:
    25
    Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

    when it gets cold i just shove them under the bed,i just cant see spending all kinds of money on feeder worms,i spend about $7 to set up a new colony,all you have to do is set one up wait like 4-5 months split it into a new tub and you have double the meals,and theres nothing to clean out,i dont give mine any veggies or anything
     
  13. Tux

    Tux Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,334
    RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

    How the heck are they still living with no water.....

    Also I'm hoping you gutload them 48 hours before feeding.
     
  14. geckopimp

    geckopimp Embryo

    Messages:
    25
    RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

    they have been living and breeding for 4+ years. and yes they r gut loaded TUX
     
  15. Tux

    Tux Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,334
    RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

    4 years with no moisture source?
     
  16. SilverSeven

    SilverSeven New Member

    Messages:
    100
    RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

    What do you guys do with the beetles? Dont you get beetles all over when trying to empty out the mealies? And does anything eat the beetles?
     
  17. Rainystateherps

    Rainystateherps Embryo

    Messages:
    13
    Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!!

    Maybe they eat each other for moisture?? :shock:
     
  18. SilverSeven

    SilverSeven New Member

    Messages:
    100
    RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!

    That wouldnt work....they need to be getting it from the outside at some point.
     
  19. shrap

    shrap ReptileBoards Addict

    Messages:
    5,002
    RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE PLZ!!

    Oh yes they will eat each other for moisture. And as long as there is enough in the colony they can easily sustain themselves by eating each other for moisture.

    Putting a few iceburg lettuce leaves on top every two days is all the moisture they need. Worms and beetles alike.
     
  20. shrap

    shrap ReptileBoards Addict

    Messages:
    5,002
    Back when I used to breed mealies this is how I did it. I had 3 mealie containers in various stages of development. I did not keep them in the fridge. Ever.

    The first container has my oldest mealies in it. Whenever I see an alien I will put it into container number 2. Number 2 had fresh gutload in it when it started and nothing else. I let the aliens turn into beetles, breed and lay eggs in container 2. Then when container 2 started producing aliens I put the aliens in container 3, which was set up just like the first two with fresh virgin gutload.

    When container one gets close to empty I put the remaining mealies in cotainer two and throw out the old gutload. I will then put in fresh gutload so it can start to take aliens from container 3. The whole cycle then repeats itself. Container 2 becomes container 1, container 3 becomes container 2, container 1 becomes container 3. Its a never ending cycle.
     
  21. SilverSeven

    SilverSeven New Member

    Messages:
    100
    Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVICE P

    Where are the ones they are eating getting their moisture from though? You clearly know more than I do...I just dont understand how that would work.

    Wouldnt there be moisture loss constantly...and with no outside input wouldnt they eventually run dry?
     
  22. shrap

    shrap ReptileBoards Addict

    Messages:
    5,002
    RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVI

    That depends on humidity levels. If it is very dry/arid were you live your colony will suffer much more by not adding lettuce for a moisture source than a region that has high humidity levels. Yes I am saying they absorb some of their moisture straight from the air.
     
  23. strange_wings

    strange_wings Member

    Messages:
    489
    RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVI

    I can attest to the fact that you can forget about them and still get mealworms. I forgot there were 10-12 worms in a tub a while back... by the time I looked in there again it was full of mealworms.
    Surprisingly tough little things, no wonder they can be a devastating pest.
     
  24. shinchanyo

    shinchanyo New Member

    Messages:
    103
    RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: how do u breed mealworms????ADVI

    wow i would of never new ppl new so much about meallies
     
  25. rofiudafo

    rofiudafo New Member

    Messages:
    163
    when referring to "aliens" what do u mean?
     

Share This Page