There are many reasons why you may want to get rid of a mealworm farm. It could be there are too many, you want to get out of the business etc. Whatever the case, I can show you the most humane way to dispose of them.
Place the mealworms in a freezer at 0 F for at least 24 hours. Check for signs of movement and if there is none, place them all in a tightly sealed bag or container. Dispose of the remains properly.
How to Discard Mealworms Step by Step
When it comes to disposing of mealworms, freezing is the most effective and humane method. Here’s a step-by-step guide on safely and properly disposing of mealworms:
- Prepare a suitable container: Find a small plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure the container is clean and has no holes or gaps to prevent mealworms from climbing out.
- Transfer the mealworms: Place the mealworms into the container. If you are dealing with a large number of mealworms, you may use a spoon or scoop to transfer them. Be careful that none escapes.
- Label the container: To avoid confusion, I label the container as “Mealworms – For Freezing” or something similar. This prevents accidental consumption or mixing with other food supplies.
- Freeze the mealworms: Place the container in the freezer. Set the temperature to the lowest setting, ideally below 0°F (-18°C). Freezing the mealworms will slow down their metabolism, eventually leading to their death.
- Maintain freezing duration: Keep the mealworms in the freezer for at least 24 hours. This duration ensures that they are fully frozen, eliminating the risk of them surviving.
- Check for signs of death: After the freezing period, check the mealworms for any signs of life. This includes movement, wiggling, or a flexible texture. If any mealworm appears to be alive, extend the freezing period for an additional 24 hours.
- Discard the mealworms: Once you are certain that all the mealworms are dead, you can dispose of them. To reduce odor or potential attraction to pests, it’s advisable to double-bag the container and tie it securely. Then, place it in the trash bin. Check with your local authorities where to properly dispose of them.
Note: Freezing is a method intended for humane disposal purposes, primarily for pet owners or individuals using mealworms as food for animals.
If you are dealing with a large number of live mealworms or if you believe it can be a threat to the environment, consult your local waste management or agricultural authority. They can provide guidance on proper disposal methods.
By following these steps, you can safely dispose of mealworms using freezing as a humane method. You can also use this method with automated mealworm farm feeding systems.
What Can You Do with Excess Mealworms?
If you have a lot of mealworms but don’t want to dispose or freeze them, there are a lot of things you can do. This can happen if you have a mealworm farm and the adult beetles start breeding. Below I will show you the best ways to handle a surplus of mealworms.
Feed to Pets or Livestock
Mealworms are a great source of protein and nutrients, making them an ideal food for various animals. If you have reptiles, amphibians, birds, or fish, you can offer the excess mealworms to them.
Chickens, reptiles and other livestock will benefit from mealworms. Just make sure the mealworms are properly stored and there won’t be any health issues.
By the way I would advise giving too many to your animals. Because most reptiles and livestock love mealworms so much, they might not eat other foods. This can cause an imbalance in their diet, so best to limit their mealworm intake.
Start a Mealworm Farm
If you have a continuous surplus of mealworms, why not make your own mealworm farm? All you need is a container, a substrate like oats or wheat bran, and enough food and moisture to sustain the worms.
This way, you can maintain a steady supply of homegrown mealworms for your pet’s needs or as a potential income stream through selling them to other pet owners or reptile breeders.
Composting
Mealworms can also contribute to composting efforts. Their ability to break down organic matter makes them excellent decomposers. If you have excess mealworms, you can add them to your compost heap or bin.
They will help accelerate the decomposition process and transform waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be used for gardening or landscaping purposes. You can even use their frass as fertilizer for your garden for example
Donate to Local Wildlife
Many wildlife rehabilitation centers care for a variety of orphaned or injured animals. Some centers rely on mealworms as part of their feeding programs.
Contact your local wildlife and ask if they could take in your mealworms. It is a humane way to dispose of them and you help the local wildlife too. There might be some processes or paperwork needed so just follow their guide.
Give Away
Look for local pet communities, pet owners or hobbyist groups where people might have a need for mealworms. Look for social media groups or forums online about mealworm enthusiasts or owners of pet reptiles and livestock. Tell them you have mealworms and if they’re nearby, you can give them away.
Remember, proper storage conditions are crucial to keep your mealworms healthy. Always keep mealworms in a cool and dark place, away from direct sunlight. While mealworms can eat almost anything, it’s best to supply them with fruits and vegetables.
These are just some of the ways you can dispose of a mealworm farm. Some may prefer one over the other, but it’s good to know there are plenty of options.
Why You Need to Dispose of Dead Mealworms
There are several reasons why you have to dispose of dead mealworms properly. I have been breeding mealworms for a long time and I can tell you, it’s vital you remove them from a mealworm farm quickly. Here are the reasons why.
Hygiene and Maintenance. Dead mealworms can decompose quickly. If left unattended, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens.
This will post health risks to the mealworms and your pets if you feed them with it. Proper disposal prevents the spread of diseases and will keep your farm clean.
Pest Attraction. Dead mealworms can attract flies, ants, and other pests. These pests can infest the farm and if left untreated, your home. You can prevent this by getting rid of dead mealworms quickly and properly.
Odor Control. Once mealworms die, they produce foul odor. This is not only unpleasant but can also permeate the surrounding area. Obviously this isn’t something you – or your household and neighbors – want, so it is best to take action.
Preventing Contamination. Dead mealworms can contaminate the food and water sources of other animals. If these are eaten by your animals it can lead to serious health issues.
Because there are a lot of potential problems that can occur, you have to be vigilant when it comes to removing dead mealworms. You don’t have to sift through them all the time however. But you can check when you change their bedding or change the ccontainer.
Bottom line is there are a lot of reasons why you have to get rid of dead mealworms quickly. It is really no different from other dead animals that you have to quickly dispose of. It is all about protecting your healthy mealworms, pets and yourself.
Conclusion
If you have a mealworm farm, part of the maintenance involves getting rid of mealworms that have died. It is not something we like to talk about but it is there. If you have plans of setting up a mealworm farm, then knowing how to dispose of their remains is essential.
