When it comes to mealworm farm containers, there are usually two questions. How many do I need and what type? I will answer both of those in detail here, because containers are hugely important when farming mealworms.
You can start a mealworm farm with one container. However, you will need another one for the pupa and beetles so they don’t eat the mealworms.
Containers Needed to Farm Mealworms
Here is a breakdown of the containers required. As you’ll see, it has to do with the different life cycles of mealworms.
Container 1: large mealworms: This for large, mature mealworms. These are the ones that have already gone through molting and are ready to become pupae or beetles.
Container 2: small mealworms: This container is for smaller mealworms that have recently completed molting and are not yet fully grown. This stage precedes the large mealworm stage.
Container 3: pupa and beetles: You need this for the pupae, which are the transitional stage between mealworms and beetles. Once the pupae mature, they transform into beetles. Both pupae and beetles should be kept together in this container as they require similar conditions.
Container 4: baby mealworms: Some may consider this optional, but for me it is essential. It is for the newly hatched mealworms. After the beetles lay their eggs, the larvae hatch into tiny mealworms and they need to be separate from the large ones. This stage marks the beginning of the mealworm life cycle.
By having these four containers in your mealworm farm, you will be able to provide appropriate environments for each stage of development. This ensures successful growth and reproduction of your mealworms.
You will need these containers whether you are farming mealworms for livestock or as a culinary ingredient. Either way, knowing how to dry mealworms is essential.
What Type of Container is Best for Mealworms?
If you are interested in mealworm farming, it’s essential to provide them with suitable containers. The right container makes a huge difference in their well-being and health.
Here are a few options for containers to consider for mealworm farming:
Plastic
Plastic containers are a popular choice for mealworm farming due to their durability, ease of cleaning, and affordability.
Look for containers with lids that have small ventilation holes to allow for adequate airflow. The size of the container depends on the scale of your mealworm farming operation. Regardless of size, ventilation is essential.
Make sure they are deep enough to accommodate the larvae’s growth and provide adequate space for them to move around. I also prefer transparent plastic so I can see the mealworms inside.
Plastic or Wooden Drawers
Drawer-style containers are convenient for mealworm farming. I like these because you can stack them on top of each other to save space.
Choose drawers with a height of at least 4-6 inches to allow for the larvae’s growth. The drawers should have small holes on the sides for air circulation. Or you can install mesh screens to maintain proper airflow.
Glass or Acrylic Terrariums
If you prefer a more visually appealing setup or want to observe the mealworms’ lifecycle, glass or acrylic terrariums can be a good option.
These containers provide a clear view of the mealworms, allowing you to monitor their growth and behavior easily.
If you go for terrarium, make sure there is ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. Moisture can lead to mold or bacterial growth.
Large Storage Totes
If you want to cultivate mealworms on a larger scale, large plastic storage totes can be a cost-effective choice. These are available in various sizes and can hold a large number of mealworms.
Just like with any other container, the key is air circulation. Small holes or mesh will do. Do make sure the mealworms cannot crawl out of the holes or the screen.
Features to Look for in Mealworm Containers
When selecting a container for mealworm farming, keep the following factors in mind:
Ventilation: Proper airflow is needed to prevent excess moisture, mold and odor buildup. If your mealworms are getting too dry, check out this guide.
Insulation: Mealworms thrive in a warm and regulated environment. You can insulate the container with foam or other materials to keep the temperature between 80-90°F (27-32°C).
Cleaning and maintenance. Always look for containers that are easy to clean. Disinfect regularly and remove decaying foods immediately.
Replenish the substrate too. Maintenance is necessary to prevent diseases, pests, and overall contamination.
Accessibility. Choose containers that allow easy access to feed the mealworms. You will need this to remove frass (waste) and pupae.
Whichever container you choose, it has to be spacious enough to accommodate them. As your mealworms grow and undergo changes, you have to move them into other containers.
This is why I recommend transparent containers. It becomes easy to check their status, moisture level, humidity and general condition.
Can You Raise Mealworms in One Container?
Yes, it is possible to raise mealworms in just one container. But to prevent beetles from eating the mealworms, you have to move them to another container.
Mealworms go through a life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva (mealworm), pupa, and adult (beetle). Each requires their own housing.
For mealworms, you will need a container with suitable bedding. I suggest oats or wheat bran, as well as a regular supply of food for the mealworms.
They will eat the substrate but giving them fruits and vegetables is going to boost their health. If you are going to feed mealworms to your pet reptiles they have to be properly nourished.
Mealworms prefer a bit of moisture, so you can lightly mist the substrate first. Once the bedding is moist, place the mealworms there.
Replenish the substrate to stimulate mealworm growth. As the mealworms feed and grow, they will shed their exoskeleton several times before reaching the pupal stage.
When to Get Additional Containers
Once the mealworms develop into pupae or beetles, house them in another drawer or container.
Pupae don’t eat so housing is not going to be a problem. For the beetles, the housing has to be conducive to breeding.
You also have to provide food for the beetles so they can be healthy enough to breed. Beetles will actually eat mealworms which is why you should separate them.
By removing the beetles promptly, you can maintain the mealworm population in a single container and continue their growth cycle without any risk.
After the beetles lay their eggs, these will eventually turn into baby mealworms. Place them in a new container and when they grow, you can add them to the large mealworm container.
Keep an eye on the large mealworm container. If it is getting crowded you will need to replace it with a larger one.
The larger your mealworm farm grows, the more containers you will need. But it’s a good problem to have as this can be a good source of income.
How Many Mealworms Should be in a Container?
The number of mealworms that should be housed in a container depends on various factors. The container size and the reason you are breeding mealworms are important.
Here are some considerations for each situation:
For Mealworm Farming
The ideal setup is 20 square inches for every 1000 mealworms. You can also use a 5-gallon container for 1000 mealworms. As for physical dimensions it has to be at least 16.0″ L x 12″ W x 9″ H.
Those are the minimum size requirements. You can use a bigger container, but mealworms do not really need a lot of space. To keep it simple, just keep that 20 sq in per 1000 mealworms in mind.
Regardless of the size, make sure the substrate is 2-3 inches. It should be moist but not too much, because fungus and mold might grow at the bottom of the bedding.
Related. How Many Mealworms to Start a Mealworm Farm
Mealworms as Pets
If you are keeping mealworms as pets, it will depend on how many you need. I am assuming you are farming mealworms in this case. Because if you buy mealworms, they already come in their own package.
The rule of thumb is the container should have a few liters’ capacity. For instance, a 10-liter container can hold around 500-1,000 mealworms, depending on their size.
Mealworms as Reptile Feeders
If you are using mealworms as feeders for reptiles, the number will depend on how many you are feeding.
Smaller reptiles like geckos only require a few mealworms per feeding. Large ones like bearded dragons or monitors will require more.
Of course if you have several geckos you’ll need more containers compared to caring for just one bearded dragon. You don’t want to overfeed your pets though.
Educational or Scientific Purposes
This will depend on your goal. You might need a lot of containers if you are doing a large-scale study on mealworm behavior.
On the other hand, if you just want to monitor their behavior, you will be fine with just 100 or so.
Mealworms require specific care such as suitable bedding, proper temperature, humidity, and a consistent food source. If you are keeping them for scientific studies it’s crucial to monitor their health. You also have to provide the ideal habitat for accurate observation.
Conclusion
Choosing a container for mealworm farms might seem like an afterthought. But as I have shown here, it makes a huge difference in terms of the results you will get.
