lillybettybabs Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 (edited) Live mealworms are the only treat i give my girl but they are so expensive. So i have decided to set up a farm and feed them on the left-over bits of cereal (the end of a box and there's not enough for a bowl full) and veg s"Ooops, word censored!"s. Four days later and they have shed the skins and looking huge. No pupa as yet but fingers crossed in a few months time i will have an abundance of worms fed on s"Ooops, word censored!"s of food that would have been thrown away. Edited August 22, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Sounds amazing! Where did you learn about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Ooh yes, I'd love to know more about how you've set that up. I pay a fortune for live mealworms - my 2 girls go through 2.5 kg a month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 I'll take some photos, I have used what i have in the house to keep costs down. I can't believe how big they have grown, hopefully they will start to pupate soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I did this a couple years ago, they turned into beetles and started again Are yours in the fridge or not? Mom freaked out and gave the whole lot to the chickens?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 They are kept on top of the fridge, They are gigantic now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Darn I forgot to look at them on Saturday does the kitten bother them at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 He can't get on top of the fridge thankfully. They devoured a whole banana skin on one day - becoming big monsters now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Oh, he will.... just you wait. Won't be long judging by the speed that he legged it up my jeans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 The little darling is having his claws cut tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 You'll need full body armour for that, mind you he's young enough to not inflict too much damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Well they have started to pupate now (they look like little aliens ) , I have just filtered all the pupa into a separate container so the beetles can lay their eggs and start the cycle again. I now have lots of meal worms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I'll bring a container next time I'm over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 mmmmmm i know where you live now... i may have to come and snaffle some!! he he he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 The beetles are laying eggs all over the egg boxes, I feel i will be over run with them soon so you might have to come and take some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 LBB, what have you got them in, on top of the fridge - is it a plastic box with airholes or something similar? Did you just put a bunch of live mealworms in there, with some egg boxes and food? Sorry for all the questions....I'd really like to have a go at 'growing my own' but not sure where to start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 I have some plastic boxes which i have cut the middle out of the lid to make a frame, i have then used the frame to secure muslin over the box, i have filled it with weak a bix, porridge etc the some egg boxes. I then give them some succulents two times a week. When they start to pupate i separate them into another box set up the same, when they hatch the the beetles lay eggs on the egg boxes then die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Excellent, thank you. I might have a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Should I bring a bucket at the weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Well i have my first batch of home reared mealworms growing nicely now, It did take a while to get going but they will keep the birds happy during their moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ooooo. I want to give this ago too. sounds ace. Is it something i could do in the shed? A bit worried about setting something like this in the house. Don't think Ofsted or parents would be impressed if I was growing bugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 They need some warmth but they maybe ok in a shed, word of warning it does take a good few mouths for them to establish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
