Oh My Good God, What Is This?

[jamezyboo21]

I freaked out the first time I raised mealworms. I didnt know they turned into beetles. For some reason i thought maelworms laid eggs and more worms would appear. The first time i had beetles lay eggs i didnt even know they did and i almost threw away the entire setup till i notice the oats were moving. I just started up a new mealworm farm yesterday. my finches went through so much worms it was easier to just raise the worms myself

[Derk]

cindy
Thanks Cindy!

[Diving Di]

While browsing the forums for some info on adding nutrients to water, I stumbled across this thread. Had to share that it really made me LOL. It also convinced me that raising meal worms is NOT for me! I'm seriously beetle-phobic.

[Leo519]

Very informative topic - I learned a lot
It also gave me the creeps and made me LOL all at the same time!

[Babs _Owner]

Elana,

I know this is an old thread, but i laughed until I cried at your reaction to those beetles.

Wonderful read this morning with my coffee

Babs

[lovezebs]

Babs

Glad you enjoyed reading this thread.

I have since given up on raising mealworms. No matter what I did, I ended up getting some mold in there. Also, I got huge amounts of beatles, and never got any worms that I could see (even with a magnifying glass ). So alas, I set my beetles free and wished them well in their future endeavors .

If I need a large amount of mealworms in the future for my little guys, I will order them in .

Elana

[Lucille]

I used to have lizards and grew mealworms for them, easy to do and much less expensive than buying from Petco. I used one of those large plastic totes, half filled with wheat bran (very cheap for 50 lbs at the feed store). I did buy my initial container at Petco. The black beetles are harmless.
I used apple and/or potato slices as moisture.
I think I remember the cycle from beetle to usable mealworm is a couple months.
Every once in a while you have to renew the process with a fresh toteful of bran, but it will be a while before you even have to think of that.

[lovezebs]

Lucille

Thanks Lucille,

But, it was not meant to be.....

The queen if the mealworms has officially abdicated her throne. I've been undone, by a bunch of harmless black beatles, that never became worms for me .

Elana

P.S. I tried it for months and months.

[Lucille]

At least they live a long time in the refrigerator in the Petco containers.
(A great conversation starter too if a visiting guest is one of those who helps themselves to food in your fridge, lol).

[lovezebs]

Lucille

LOL!!!

Elana