So you have finally decided to start a mealworm farm. It’s a good source of income and food for pets. But how long would you have to wait before harvesting them? If you want raise a sucessful farm, this is going to be crucial.
Mealworms can be harvested any time, but it is best to wait 3-4 months. By this time the mealworms will have reached full size. Do not wait longer than 4 months because they will turn into beetles.
Factors That Affect Mealworm Growth
There are many factors that affect how fast your mealworm farm will grow. The number of mealworms, care, maintenance, the size of the farm etc. This can be a lot for a beginner to take in so let’s break it down.
Life Cycle
Mealworms go through a complete change which includes four stages: egg, larva (mealworm), pupa, and adult darkling beetle. The life cycle from egg to adult typically takes about 2 to 3 months, depending on factors like temperature and diet.
Assuming everything is set up properly, your mealworm farm will grow in a few weeks. Of course it all depends on what you plan to do. If you want to harvest the mealworms, it shouldn’t take more than a few weeks.
Temperature
Temperature plays a crucial role in the speed of mealworm growth. Mealworms thrive in a temperature range of 75-85°F (24-29°C). At higher temperatures, their development speeds up. If kept within this range, mealworms can complete their life cycle more quickly.
Diet
The diet you provide to mealworms also influences their growth rate. Foods rich in nutrients like grains, vegetables and fruits will lead to faster development. Adequate hydration is crucial as well. Water sources like slices of fruits and vegetables can keep mealworms hydrated.
Related. What to Feed Mealworms
Population Per Container
The number of mealworms in a farm and the space they have affects growth rates. Overcrowding can slow down growth and lead to increased competition for resources. Proper spacing and population management are both necessary for the farm to thrive.
Regular maintenance of the farm includes cleaning, removing waste, and providing fresh food and water. All of them are needed to keep mealworms healthy. The healthier they are, the more the colony will floruish.
Harvesting
You can harvest mealworms at various stages of their life cycle. If you’re looking for larger mealworms for consumption or sale, wait until they turn into beetles. If you want smaller mealworms, you can harvest them during their larval stage.
To ensure a continuous supply of mealworms, I recommend you keep a breeding population. Adult darkling beetles lay hundreds of eggs if properly nourished. This way you’ll always have a constant supply of mealworms in various stages.
Bottom line is mealworm farms can grow relatively quickly if the right conditions are met. All it really takes are proper space, the right temperature, maintenance and nutritious food. As you learn how to raise mealworms, it becomes easier.
How to Keep Mealworms Healthy and Growing
It might seem challenging for a beginner to maintain a mealworm farm. But the truth is that it isn’t that hard. You can start with just a few hundred mealworms in a container. You can slowly increase the number as you become more comfortable and proficient. Heere are some tips.
Room to burrow. Mealworms like to burrow so the bedding has to be 2-3 inches deep. About 1000 mealworms fill fit nicely in a 5-gallon container. Ensure there is enough space to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to stress and reduced growth.
Related. What mesh screen to use in a mealworm farm
Use the right lighting. Mealworms prefer dark conditions. Use dim lighting only and do not expose them to direct light. A bit of light is fine as long as it isn’t directly on them.
Quality substrate. Use a suitable substrate such as wheat bran, oats, or a specialized mealworm bedding. The substrate should provide a comfortable and nutritious environment for the mealworms.
Related. How Often to Change Mealworm Bedding
Replenish the food. Provide fresh food and remove any leftovers. Leftover food will rot and cause bacteria to grow.
Hydration. Mealworms need moisture, A bowl of water is risky since it could tip over and cause them to drown. Better to just put cucumber or other moist fruits in the container. Do not make the container too moist because mold might grow.
Cleaning and Maintenance Guidelines
Keep the container clean by removing waste, dead mealworms, and shed skin. Cleaning prevents the spread of diseases and maintains a healthier environment.
Make sure the food sources for your mealworms are pesticide-free. Toxic substances can harm them and accumulate in their bodies. Avoid dangerous pesticides and toxins especially if you plan to feed the mealworms to birds or other animals.
Adequate ventilation. Proper ventilation is essential to prevent the buildup of ammonia and carbon dioxide in the container. Inadequate ventilation can lead to poor health and even death.
Separate mealworms at different life stages. I am talking about the stages (larvae, pupae, and beetles). Use different containers so the beetles don’t eat the mealworms or pupae. This is an essential part of scaling mealworm farms.
I also check mealworms for signs of illness, stress, or overcrowding. If you see any sick mealworms, move them out of the container to avoid spreading the disease/
If you intend to keep your mealworm colony going, you’ll need separate containers for the darkling beetles so they can breed. Once you have new mealworms, keep them in a separate container for a few weeks. You will want to make sure they are disease-free first.
How Many Eggs Do Mealworms Lay?
Mealworms can only lay eggs after they turn into darkling beetles. The number of eggs laid per day by a single darkling beetle can vary, but on average, can be anywhere from 100 to 500.
Factors Affecting Egg Production
The number of eggs a beetle lays can be influenced by several factors, The biggest are environmental conditions, diet and the beetle’s health and age.
Based on my experience, these are the most important factors to keep an eye on.
Age and health: Younger, healthier beetles tend to be more prolific egg layers. As they age, their reproductive capacity may decrease.
Environmental conditions: Maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels within the beetle habitat is crucial. Ideal conditions for breeding typically range from 75-85°F (24-29°C) with moderate humidity. Stressful or extreme conditions can reduce egg-laying rates.
Population density: Overcrowding in the beetle habitat can lead to stress and competition for resources. This will lower their reproduction levels.
Handling and disturbance: Frequent disturbances or rough handling can stress beetles and affect their egg-laying capacity. It’s best to minimize disruptions as much as possible.
Bedding: The type and quality of the substrate (bedding material) in the habitat can impact egg production. A suitable substrate like wheat bran or oats can encourage beetles to lay their eggs.
Life stage: Darkling beetles are most active in their first few weeks of adulthood, which is when they lay the majority of their eggs. Their reproductive activity usually slow as they age.
How to Maximize Egg Production
To maximize egg production from your mealworm colony, you have to create a well-maintained and stress-free environment. You also have to provide a nutritious diet and maintain an ideal environment.
Proper care and attention will make mealworms more productive. It also ensures you get a steady supply of mealworm eggs for feeding animals. Of course you can also serve mealworms for people as they’re edible.
Conclusion
By following these guidelines and maintaining a clean, well-balanced environment, you can keep your mealworms healthy. It all starts with one mealworm farm, so take it from there. Remember, the biggest mealworm farms started with just one. Take care of it and you will be surprised how fast your mealworm farm grows.
