Are your mealworms not reproducing? Or perhaps they are dying out fast? There are many reasons why a mealworm farm can collapse, but fortunately there are solutions too. Here I will explain the most common reasons and fixes.
Mealworms have to be stored in secure containers and kept in 75-85 F temperature. Proper bedding, adequate food supply and regular cleaning are needed for mealworm farms to flourish.
Follow these steps to prolong the life of your mealworm farm. Farming can take different forms, but these guidelines are applicable to all of them.
Choose the Right Container
Select a suitable container for your mealworms, such as a plastic storage bin or a specialized mealworm farming container.
Mealworms need ventilation, but you don’t want them to escape. Either put a mesh over the container or choose a lid with small holes.
I prefer a mesh since it’s easier to install. I also like transparent plastic containers so I can see how much waste has built up.
Related. How many containers does a mealworm farm need
Maintain Optimal Temperature
Keep the right temperature and humidity levels for your mealworm farm. Ideally, it should be around 75-85°F (24-29°C) and humidity between 50-70%.
Use a thermometer and humidity monitor to check and regulate these conditions. It doesn’t have to be exactly in this range, but the closer the better.
Adequate Ventilation
Mealworms need some moisture, but too much can lead to mold and fungus growth. This is why I recommend a mesh or making small ventilation holes.
You can drill holes on the lid and sides. The holes don’t need to be large. You don’t want mealworms sneaking out or worse, pests getting in.
Proper Bedding
Use suitable bedding material for your mealworms, such as wheat bran, oatmeal, or a mixture of both. This provides a comfortable and nutritious substrate for the mealworms to live in and feed on.
The bedding should be 2-3 inches deep. Even if you feed mealworms with food, they will still eat the bedding, so it has to be added to regularly. Replace it too because waste will build up eventually. How often will depend on how many mealworms you have in the container.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Clean the mealworm farm regularly to maintain hygiene. Remove any dead mealworms or pupae promptly to prevent the spread of diseases.
Also, clean out the waste, old food, and frass (mealworm excrement) from the bedding periodically.
Feeding and Hydration
You have to provide a nutritious and balanced diet to your mealworms. I suggest fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains as they are nutritious.
Mealworms eat decomposing material, but it’s better to give them bits of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are going to feed mealworms to your chickens or pet dog, they must eat healthy foods.
You should also give mealworms moisture-rich foods like cucumber or apple slices to prevent dehydration. It’s better than leaving a bowl of water in the container because it might spill and drown them.
Proper storage of food, Store your mealworm food and supplements in a cool and dry place. Keep them sealed tightly to prevent moisture and potential spoilage.
Separate Life Stages
Depending on Sour requirements, you may consider separating the different life stages of the mealworms.
Separate the mature beetles from the larvae and pupae to prevent the beetles from eating the mealworms. Separation also improves reproduction.
Regular monitoring. Keep an eye on the mealworm farm to identify any signs of disease or pest infestation. Early detection can prevent the spread of problems.
Regular Harvests
As your mealworms grow and develop, harvest them regularly to maintain their population density. This allows for better growth and reduces overcrowding.
A 5-gallon is good for 1000 mealworms. Get a new container once their population increases. Crowded containers can stress mealworms and make them prone to diseases.
By implementing these measures, you can extend the lifespan and productivity of your mealworm farm. Remember, consistency and proper care are key to maintaining a healthy and thriving mealworm colony.
Why are My Mealworms Dying Quickly?
There could be several reasons why your mealworms are dying quickly. Here are a few factors to consider:
Poor Environmental Conditions
Mealworms require specific environmental conditions to thrive. They prefer being kept in a cool and well-ventilated space with consistent temperature and humidity levels.
If the environment is too hot, too cold, or lacks proper ventilation, it can stress and potentially kill the mealworms.
Poor Substrate or Bedding
Mealworms need a suitable substrate or bedding to live in. It should be dry, clean, and provide good aeration.
I suggest 2-3 inches of wheat bran, oats or other grains. That is deep enough for mealworms to burrow in. You can also mist it lightly.
If the substrate is too damp, mold and fungal growth can occur. Either one can wipe out your farm so avoid it at all costs.
Keep the bedding loose. If it’s too tight, the mealworms won’t get enough oxygen. This can be fatal especially if the container has limited ventilation.
Lack of Nutrition
Mealworms need a balanced diet to thrive. Their primary diet consists of grain-based products such as oats, wheat bran, or cornmeal.
If their diet lacks variety and nutrients they won’t last. Foods contaminated by pesticides or other chemicals are fatal to mealworms too.
Lack of nutrition is going to weaken their immune system and make them prone to illnesses.
Overcrowding
Mealworms require enough space to move around. If they are tightly packed in a small container, it can lead to stress and increased competition for food and water.
You can avoid this by providing an adequate-sized container with enough food and water.
Pathogens or Parasites
Mealworms are vulnerable to various pathogens and parasites like bacteria, viruses, mites, or fungi. These microorganisms can be introduced through contaminated food, dirty substrate, or unsanitary conditions.
Infected mealworms will struggle to fight off the pathogens. especially if crowded or not fed enough. Once the disease spreads, a lot of them could get wiped out.
Unsanitary Conditions
Mealworm farms need regular cleaning and maintenance. Here are some suggestions.
- Remove all rotting, uneaten food immediately.
- Replace the substrate regularly. Clean the container as you do so.
- You have to remove mealworm waste as soon as possible. This is necessary to prevent fungi or bacteria.
- If there are dead mealworms, take them out of the container right away.
Mealworms are low maintenance, but they do need it. Fortunately the requirements are easy to meet. As long as you keep them up, your farm should be fine.
Are Mealworms Easy to Keep Alive?
Mealworms are relatively easy to keep alive. If you have a mealworm farm or want to create one, maintaining them is straightforward.
One reason why mealworms are easy to keep alive is their tolerance to a wide range of temperatures. While they prefer 75-85°F (24-29°C), mealworms can live in 50°F (10°C) to 90°F (32°C).
You should try to keep them as close to 75-85 F, but if the temperature climbs p to the high 80s or drops to the 50s, they will be fine.
Low Maintenance
As I explained earlier, mealworms don’t need much space. If you only have a couple hundred of them, just about any container will do.
All you need to do is provide ventilation. You don’t need any fancy setup for the container. Of course you have to get a bigger one as the colony grows. But for beginners it is really easy.
Not Picky about Food
Ideally mealworms should be fed assorted bits of vegetables and fruits. Apples, cucumber, carrots, potatoes and all sorts of grains.
But it is perfectly fine to feed them vegetable and fruit scraps Mealworms eat just about everything including plastic so budget will not be an issue.
Sustainable
Mealworms do not need constant attention. After you set up the container, you just need to give them food. That’s it. All you have to do is change the bedding every few days or weeks and the mealworms will be fine.
What I really like about mealworms is they reproduce easily, making them sustainable. They go through a complete change, transitioning from egg to larva to pupa to adult beetle.
You can grow mealworms until they turn to beetles, so when the beetles lay eggs you have more mealworms. Or you can feed the mealworms to your livestock or pet or sell them. Either way you have options.
Conclusion
Mealworms are easy to maintain. If you want to create a mealworm farm, it doesn’t take a lot of effort. Even if you are a beginner, the cost of setting up and maintaining a mealworm farm is very low and well worth it.
Once the farm has been set up, you just need to supply them with food and substrate. As long as their environment is suitable, your mealworms will thrive.
