Thread: mealworms, buy local or online?

I got 3 plastic sweater boxes and 3 plastic shoe box for my worms. One shoe box has a large hole in the bottom with 1/8" hardware cloth glued to it. I'll sit it in one of the sweater boxes and pour the bran with beetles into it. Shake it a bit to remove the bran, baby worms and eggs. The beetles go back into the sweater box with new bran added. Another shoe box has a large hole in the bottom with screen wire glued to it. When the worms get larger they are poured into it to remove the spent bran. The worms go back into the sweater box with new bran added. The spent bran is poured into the third shoe box. A little bran is added encase a few small worms or eggs went through the screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c82fInUdLJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HndiMpFVM5U

I have been using this Guy's system for about 5 years now, and have had absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Hi,
The one time I tried a lid I got Grain Mites because it increased the Humidity which Grain Mites need to survive, now I never use a Lid. This might be because I live in a high Humidity area New Orleans.

2 month ago I checked the container of beetles. I could see the small pieces of bran moving. I figured I had small worms. I poured the worms into another container and added some new bran. Checking this week I find that the worms are no bigger and I have some small bugs like fruit flies in that room. Checking the container of beetles I found a few worms about the size of what I bought, light in color.

I ventilated my lid by drilling small holes in two areas of my lid,then I covered the holes with a section of screen fabric.By doing this the moisture escapes,and other bugs cannot enter.Moistue is a killer for mealworms,ventilation is important,but the worms must have a sorce of moisture,that is where the potato come in

Originally Posted by Yaker

I ventilated my lid by drilling small holes in two areas of my lid,then I covered the holes with a section of screen fabric.By doing this the moisture escapes,and other bugs cannot enter.Moistue is a killer for mealworms,ventilation is important,but the worms must have a sorce of moisture,that is where the potato come in

Yeah, I had plenty of holes for ventilation and still got Grain mites, all I'm saying is that you don't need a Lid at all to raise Mealworms.

,Oh, I wasn't meaning a lid was needed,I use lids to keep birds from stealing my worms.In warmer weather,I raise them out doors under a roof,it takes about 3 minutes for the birds to find them,and not much longer for them to clean them out.
I also noticed that spiders seem to like getting into the box,I presume they are after anything that can make a meal.i have seen some folks who use the smaller plastic boxes,stacked on shelves,just another good way of raising them.

Originally Posted by Yaker

,Oh, I wasn't meaning a lid was needed,I use lids to keep birds from stealing my worms.In warmer weather,I raise them out doors under a roof,it takes about 3 minutes for the birds to find them,and not much longer for them to clean them out.
I also noticed that spiders seem to like getting into the box,I presume they are after anything that can make a meal.i have seen some folks who use the smaller plastic boxes,stacked on shelves,just another good way of raising them.

Ok, I understand now why you use lid.