Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Hi Janty, When you have your bokashi bran boxes, hopefully with eggs in, does the bran start to smell a bit strange? And how long do you have to wait for the worms to appear? Am I right in thinking you can't see the eggs? Sorry for all questions! I have got about half a Wiggly Wiggler pot of worms which have pupated and changed into beetles, and I assume have laid some eggs over the past month to 6 weeks in the bran which I have decanted everyday or so into a big black plastic box. I only have about 5 mealworms left to pupate, and I had hoped to have some baby worms to feed to the chooks by now! Am I just impatient or has the plan gone pear-shaped do you think? Hoping you can set my mind at rest.... Sha x p.s. anyone who wants the original thread re breeding them it's here viewtopic.php?f=5&t=34410&p=531544&hilit=+mealworms#p531544 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Give them a bit longer. I suppose the bran does have a smell to it but not a strong one. Are you removing the fruit as it goes off as this can create a smell? I have just looked and I can't see any eggs. This site might give you some more information. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/insects/beetles/mealworm/mealwormlifecycle.shtml Where are you keeping them? Mine are thriving but hubby does keep them on the underfloor heating in the conservatory. Anyone reading my posts who is coming in February, please don't be grossed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I am sooo glad this came up, I have a small tub of Aliens sleeping, I have just moved them to a warmer positiion. I THINK I need to put some bran in there too And perhaps find a bigger container.Also some damp so they don't dry out? About how many adults do you ned to keep going? Or should I say "how few"? Any suggestions for Breeding home? needs holes that keeps beetle in & big enough for bran with eggs to drop through . have I got that right. oh & do they fly if you take the lid off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 They don't fly if you take the lid off. A warmer spot shout help them along. In theory, you shouldn't need too many adults to keep them going. Hubby says that if you are giving them fruit, it should be hard fruits such as apples and not soft fruits. He also says that he waits until the adults have died and then he feeds them to the chickens. I think he rather likes the chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 They don't fly if you take the lid off. A warmer spot shout help them along. In theory, you shouldn't need too many adults to keep them going. Hubby says that if you are giving them fruit, it should be hard fruits such as apples and not soft fruits. He also says that he waits until the adults have died and then he feeds them to the chickens. I think he rather likes the chickens. Phew that's a relief, not flying, om;y just stopped going shivery whilst feeding the wrigglers. was going to put a little apple in for moisture not for eating as they are aslep, or dead! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I started trying to breed them but gave up. When the worms pupate they freak me out, you are right Sandy they look like little aliens, not moving and all rubbery and pale looking, and the beetles when they first emerge are all pale and anaemic YUKK!! I chucked 'em out in the end. I can handle the live worms but their gross life cycle sucks!! I would rather live on beans on toast and buy them from WW's. A bit of an exageration but you know what I mean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I know exactly what you mean - that's why hubby is the mealworm breeder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Lucky you - that's a test of true love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 Thank you so much for all your thoughts, I'm not the only befuddled one then ! I have a piece of apple in the beetle pen, and DH has made me a "sieve" of metal net for the bran to fall through, but the beetles climb over it!!! Since I moved the beetle pen out of the black bran tub, the beetles seem to have become much more active, perhaps they are now producing the eggs They are on the top in the kitchen, not too warm but not too cold either, I don't know where to put them if they need somewhere warmer, we don't do an overly warm house! I think the upshot is that I have to be patient then....not my strong point I'll enlighten you if/when I have any hatchings ! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
