How to grow mealworms?

Do you want to know how to grow mealworms? Are you looking for a new hobby or a way to provide your pets with nutritious food? Growing mealworms may be just what you need. Mealworms are the larvae of darkling beetle and are a great source of protein for pets like reptiles, birds, and even humans.

Mealworms are a great source of protein and can be used in a variety of ways. They are easy to grow and can be a sustainable source of food for your family. Here are some steps to help you get started growing your own mealworms.

How to Grow Mealworms – A Clever Guide

Container for grow mealworms

Choose a container for your mealworms. You will need a container that is large enough to farm the mealworms, but not so large that it will take up too much space. Plastic bins with air holes are a great option.

– A plastic container with a lid (at least 2 inches deep)
– Oatmeal or wheat bran
– Mealworms (you can order them online or find them in pet stores)
– Apple slices or carrots (optional)
– Cardboard egg cartons

How to grow mealworms: Fill the container

Fill the container with a substrate such as shredded newspaper, wood shavings, or sawdust. Make sure the substrate is at least 4-5 inches deep.

Start by lining the bottom of the container with a thin layer of oatmeal or wheat bran. Add a few slices of apple or carrot (if using) to provide moisture. Then, add the mealworms on top of the bedding. Don’t worry if they start burying themselves – this is normal behavior.

Next, provide a home for your mealworms. Cut the cardboard egg cartons into small pieces and place them in the container. This will give the mealworms a place to hide and lay eggs.

How to grow mealworms: Add some foods

Add food for the mealworms. You can use oats, wheat bran, or other grains. You can also add fruits and vegetables for the mealworms to eat.

Now it’s time to feed and water your mealworms. Every few days, add a little bit of oatmeal or wheat bran to the top of the bedding, and remove any old food that may have gone bad. You can also offer fresh fruit or vegetables every week as a treat. Be sure to provide a shallow dish or moisture source, such as a damp paper towel or water crystals.

Add Water

Add water to the container. You want to keep the substrate slightly damp, but not wet.

Temperature

Place the container in a warm, dark area. Mealworms prefer a temperature of around 75-80F.

How to grow mealworms: Check every days

Check the container every few days and add more food and water as needed.

Mealworms grow quickly – you should start seeing signs of growth within a week or two. They’ll go through several stages of molting before the mealworms turn into pupae, then eventually into adult beetles. It’s important to keep the container away from bright lights and keep the temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to grow mealworms: Mealworm pupa

After a few weeks, the mealworms will begin to pupate and eventually turn into adult beetles. Remove the beetles to a different container and start the process again.

Once your mealworms have turned into pupa (they’ll be cream-colored and immobile), it’s time to harvest them. Use a pair of tweezers to gently pick them up and transfer them to a separate container. The adult beetles will eventually emerge, and you can place them back into the original container to lay more eggs.

Congratulations

With a little bit of care and attention, you can have your own sustainable source of mealworms.

But why bother growing mealworms? For one, they are a great source of protein with a higher protein content than many other traditional meats. They also have a low environmental impact as they require less space, water and food than traditional livestock. Plus, they are inexpensive and easy to maintain!

Give it a try and get ready to reap the benefits of growing your own sustainable protein source.

You’ve successfully grown your own mealworms! With a little love and attention, you’ll never run out of nutritious food for your pets. Happy growing.