Gonna try raising both to use on some shell crackers and bluegills this spring. This is my set-up. Waxies in the vented jar and meal worms in the pan. Any suggestions?Attachment 328477Attachment 328478
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Gonna try raising both to use on some shell crackers and bluegills this spring. This is my set-up. Waxies in the vented jar and meal worms in the pan. Any suggestions?Attachment 328477Attachment 328478
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Not up on wax worm husbandry,but have raised mealworms for over a decade.From the pic it appears you will be rearing mealworms in the three tier configuration,that’s a recommended way to do it.My suggestions would be keep them warm,keep them in the least amount of lighting possible,and do not allow the bedding to become damp.
I use bran as bedding and food,I also halve a potato and place it peel down into the bedding.The potato provides ample moisture for the stages that require it.I also lay opened cardboard egg cartons face down,covering the potato’s and bran,this gives them a hiding place to carry on.
A cleaning schedule needs be followed to prevent an over accumulation of dead beetles,and sheds.The castings will also eventually need to be sifted out and new bran added.Dont get overwhelmed by the process,there is a lot of good info available ,making it so easy a cave man could do it.
Thank you
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Changed out my bedding/bran today . Lost my first batch to moisture . Man who got me started said "not " to water at all . Seems to be working . Anybody else do this ? Attachment 329817Attachment 329818
Never ever water,the veggies,will provide enough moisture for them,providing you don’t have them in direct sunlight.Also,if your bedding starts to smell of ammonia,you need to dump the old bedding and give them fresh.
I haven't fed or watered , guess they are eating their own .
They will absolutely eat the eggs,you will find your production rate will greatly increase if you separate the beetles from the eggs ,and provide munchies for the beetles and larva.
Where do you get your "bran" for the bedding, would oatmeal work if I can't find any bran. Also did you get your starter worms at a pet food store such as Petsmart???
What is the difference between wax and meal worms.
Is soldier fly larva similar. Saw something about raising those on a "Funbun" video?
I buy my 50# bag of bran at a local feed store,yes oatmeal will work fine,I just prefer bran.i was given my first starter worms years ago,but you can purchase them over the net,do some research on what type you purchase,some are injected with a growth hormone that renders them sterile/ less productive.
Wax worms are the larva of the wax moth,mealworms turn into darkling beetles,big difference.Soldier fly larva turns into black soldier flys,meal worms happen to be the only insect of the three that can’t fly away on ya.rotfl
Is there one type of worm that you prefer over the others, if so what are your reasons for that??? size, stay on hook better etc and once the worms get to usable size how do you get them to stabilize in growth and size & not morph into adults?
I don’t like jumbos,if I’m fishing gills,the smaller mealworms are perfect,they also work well in tipping jigs for larger fish.The secret to having a good supply of usable worms year round is to take out a couple hundred worms from your brood,put them in a container with a bit of bedding,and place them in the fridge.
After a month put them back in with the brood,this put them dormant ,thus slowing the cycle down.By slowing the cycle you always have a good supply of beetles,to lay eggs,I do this about 4 times a year.I recently allowed my original 10 year old start to die off ,I will be starting a new 3 tier brood box with fresh worms,for no reason other than I enjoy tinkering with them.
I give the worms a mist of water every day.But their box is next to the central A/C intake fan, so they get plenty of air circulation.I only use oats for their bedding, and give them a variety of food, just for the fun of seeing them eat different things.Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
But, how many worms do you need just to go fishing with ? I never separate, and always have plenty of bait.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yaker
I think the pupa work even better than the mealworms. I guess I'm the only one doing this, because I have never heard of anyone using the pupa instead of the mealworms.They only last for one fish, but their texture is perfect, because they stay on well for the cast ,but they are so soft that its like biting down on a bare hook.Quote:
Originally Posted by polarcrafter
Your probably a lot better fisherman than I am :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by Techno2000
Lol...I didn't look at it that way...ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yaker
Not getting many beetles lately . To cool in shop maybe ?
they do thrive in temps around 80°.You need to take a rough inventory of beetles,pupa,and larva.if your not seeing a balance,something is outta whack in their cycle.It could very well be temperature,or beetles eating eggs,you should see some light brown ( new beetles ) along with older black beetles.Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
A healthy Colony should have light and dark beetles,larva of different age,and enough pupa turning to beetles.
Don't toss the castings (insect frass)!! Add it to your garden or mix with potting soil - helps protect your plants from defends against fungal pathogens in the root zone (root rot) and root-feeding nematodes, early and late blight, grey mold, powdery mildew and bugs. I even feed some to my worms....
Yes...they like it warm 75-80 F you can put a heating mat under your container.Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
Amazon.com : Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank Heater, Small : Pet Habitat Heat Emitters : Pet Supplies
got 4 brick heater but usually burn one unless below 20 ,ten two . Have not seen a beetle in a week or so . Going to take them out weekly at least . Got 4 large pans .Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno2000
Did you check to see how pupa you have? That will tell you how many beetle you will have in the future.Cold temperature will slow them down from turning into beetles.Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
didnt know you raised meal worms iv never tried them they look like killer BG bait and seems like an easier project than doing nightcrawlersQuote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
I just received a new batch of 1000 mealworms today.I finished off my originals after 10 years,not that I needed to restart,but I’m delving into a different housing set up,and figured to start over with a new colony.
Got plenty of pupa . removed over 100 into another tray today . Attachment 336252Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno2000
From the pic it appears you are well on the way to a healthy colony.
I was just given a start of meal worms today. I didn’t get much instructions with them, so I appreciate this post.
I use this Guy's method, and it has worked flawlessly for past 7 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charley67
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