How to raise mealworms well?

Yellow mealworms , also known as breadworms, contain 30 percent fat and more than 50 percent protein in their dry form, making them a very popular protein feed . So how do you raise mealworms well? Let’s learn the method below.

1. Breeding site

Make sure the venue is well ventilated to maintain air circulation and avoid humidity and stuffiness. The site should be kept dry, as excessively humid conditions can easily cause mealworms to become sick. Choosing a quiet room can reduce external disturbances to mealworms and help their growth and reproduction.

2. Breeding equipment

The breeding box is an important equipment for mealworm breeding. The breeding boxes can be made of wooden or plastic boards. The size should be determined according to the scale of breeding. The breeding boxes should be designed reasonably to facilitate feeding, cleaning and management. At the same time, make sure the breeding box has good sealing to prevent the mealworms from escaping.

3. Temperature and humidity

To provide mealworms with suitable temperature and humidity, the temperature is generally between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius and the humidity is around 60%. If the temperature and humidity are not suitable, it may affect the growth of mealworms and even cause the occurrence of diseases. Therefore, the indoor environment for raising mealworms must maintain appropriate temperature and humidity.

4. Insect selection

When choosing mealworms for breeding, be sure to select mealworms that are large, vigorous, and brightly colored. Such breeding insects have better reproductive ability and adaptability, and can bring higher benefits to breeding. The source of the breeding insects must be reliable to avoid the introduction of pests and diseases.

5. Feeding

The main feed for mealworms is wheat bran , which can also be supplemented with bran . The vegetables mainly include green leafy vegetables such as cabbage, radish, and kale. These feeds can meet the insects' needs for protein, vitamins, trace elements and water.

6. Management points

The adult life span is about 50 days. Adult insects in the spawning period require a lot of nutrition and water, so wheat bran and fresh vegetables must be added in time, and some fish meal can also be added. If there is insufficient nutrition, the adults will bite and kill each other, causing losses.

When male and female adults gather together to mate, they usually do so in the dark, and the mating process lasts a long time. When laying eggs, the female insect's tail is inserted into the sieve hole. Do not stir it at will during this period. When you find eggs attached to the bottom of the sieve plate, you can change the plate. At this time, sift the eggs from the adult insects and place them in another plate containing feed, remove the dead insects, and change the egg plate every 5 to 7 days.

Mealworms are the most ideal feed insects for artificial breeding. They grow fast. During the breeding process, it is very important to master the breeding techniques and management measures.