Mealworm farms are becoming popular because it is a cost-effective way to feed livestock. It can also be a profitable business. But what about the odor? I understand why you would be concerned as you don’t want the household – and your neighbors – being grossed out. So let’s take a look at this issue if there is one.
Healthy mealworms do not have any unpleasant smells as their frass has an earthy scent. If your mealworms smell fishy or rotten, it could be due to poor ventilation, high humidity or waste buildup in their container.
What Mealworms Smell Like
Healthy mealworms have a somewhat earthy scent, kind of like damp soil or leaves. This mild aroma can be described as faintly musky or woody. But it is not overpowering or offensive. I actually find the scent pleasant as it reminds of the smell of fresh bread and cereal grains.
(Of course smell is subjective. I like the earthy smell of mealworms but others do not. So even if you keep the farm clean, there will be those who won’t like the smell no matter what, and that’s perfectly normal.)
If the mealworms smell bad, look for signs of illness. There might even be dead mealworms in there. If this is the case, remove them and figure out why your mealworms are dying.
If the mealworms are healthy, the odor is probably coming from the bedding or leftover food. Rotting food and bedding waste have a rancid smell and must be cleaned right away. They not only smell bad but can lead to diseases and infections.
Cleaning a mealworm farm will solve the smelly problem, but prevention is even better. By keeping the environment clean, dry and well-ventilated, any potential odor issues can be prevented. Best practices include regularly removing waste, dead mealworms and uneaten food. I also recommend changing the bedding and replacing the food regularly.
Bottom line is that if you want to keep a mealworm farm for fish, reptiles or livestock, it is easy to keep them from smelling bad. But if you already did the cleaning and it still smells bad, we need to look at other causes.
Why Do My Mealworms Smell Rotten?
There could be several reasons why your mealworms might smell bad. Here are a few potential causes:
Poor ventilation. Mealworms require proper airflow to thrive. If their enclosure lacks adequate ventilation, excess moisture can build up and cause a foul smell. The container should have holes for ventilation so moisture doesn’t get trapped in. There are mesh screens for mealworms available that can fix this problem.
High humidity High humidity can cause moisture to accumulate in their bedding. This damp environment promotes the growth of bacteria, mold, or fungi, resulting in an unpleasant odor. Any of those three can spread diseases so you have to avoid this situation. Remove any mold or fungi immediately or place the mealworms in a new container.
Waste buildup. Mealworms eat all kinds of organic matter including fruits, vegetables, grains and other food scraps. This is what makes them very effective at composting.
But if you overfeed your mealworms, they won’t be able to consume all the food. The leftovers will rot and cause a stink. There is only so much food mealworms can compost so you have to manage this.
If you have a lot of stuff to decompose, you’ll need plenty of mealworms. If you only have a limited number of mealworms, reduce the amount of food you give them.
Contamination. This can happen if a mealworm or other organism dies in the farm and left there for a long time. Keep your mealworm farm in a secure location so pests and other bugs cannot get to it.
Farm needs cleaning. As I explained earlier, this is one of the most common reasons for a smelly mealworm farm. Remove dirty bedding, replace the food, discard dead mealworms and keep the place from being too moist. That should fix the odor issue.
Does Mealworm Frass Smell Bad?
The smell of mealworm waste or frass has been described in many ways. Most people say the scent is earthy, musky, or even slightly sweet.
The best comparison is damp soil or potting compost. It has a dry, powdery texture, and some people don’t even smell anything at all. If your mealworms are healthy, the frass will not have any unpleasant smell.
Like other insect frass, mealworm castings contain a high concentration of organic matter. It consists of undigested food residues, bacteria and enzymes produced during the digestion process. These contribute to the smell.
The intensity of the smell depends on several factors like quantity, type of food the mealworms ate, how long it was excreted, the health of the mealworms etc. Fresh frass has a stronger scent compared to older, drier frass.
But even the freshest frass isn’t overpowering or offensive. It is no different from a natural fertilizer and is good for plants and soil. If you work with fertilizers you won’t have an issue with the odor. Mealworm frass is rich in beneficial nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a valuable soil amendment.
Bottom line is that mealworm frass does have a distinct odor yes. But it isn’t bad smelling for most people. And you can always remove the waste from the bedding to get rid of the scent.
How to Keep Mealworm Farms Odor-Free
Mealworm farms can often produce a strong odor if proper measures are not taken to control it. However, with a few simple steps, you can prevent this. Here are some tips to help you keep your mealworm farm odor-free.
Airflow: Make sure your mealworm farm has sufficient ventilation to allow fresh air to circulate. Good airflow reduces stagnant air and prevents the buildup of odors. Use a mesh or perforated lid on your container or install a small fan to promote air movement.
Proper moisture control: Excess moisture is one of the main causes of unpleasant smells in a mealworm farm. Avoid over-watering your substrate or overcrowding the worms, as this can lead to damp conditions. Make sure the substrate is slightly moist but not too wet. Regularly check and adjust moisture levels as needed.
Regular cleaning routine: Use a clean sieve or fine mesh to separate the mealworms from their waste, remove any waste material, and return the worms to fresh bedding.
Maintenance Guidelines
Proper waste management: Place a separate container for food scraps. This will allow you to feed the mealworms efficiently without contaminating their bedding. Do not give them too much food as it can spoil quickly and produce odors. The best approach? Feed the mealworms in small amounts at regular intervals.
Temperature regulation: Mealworms thrive in a temperature range of 70-80°F (21-27°C). Temperature control is vital to prevent excessive moisture or heat, either of which can cause problems. Monitor the temperature in your mealworm farm and make sure it remains within this range. Avoid direct sunlight as it may heat up the container.
Quality bedding material: Choose a suitable bedding material for your mealworms. I recommend materials like wheat bran, rolled oats, cornmeal or other grains.
Odor-absorbing additions: Some natural substances can help to neutralize smells in a mealworm farm. Placing a small amount of activated charcoal, baking soda, or crushed eggshells in the bedding can absorb odors and keep the environment fresh. Remember to replace or refresh these substances periodically.
Monitored population size: Overcrowding can contribute to increased waste production and more odor. If the population is increasing, move them to a separate container.
Conclusion
Mealworms do not naturally produce a strong or unpleasant smell. However, if their habitat is not properly maintained, a foul odor can and will develop. With proper care though, you can keep the farm odor-free for you and your mealworms.
