instruction for mealworm farm
Whole cycle take 5 months from eggs to adult worm.
1. Large Farm for Mealworms (Larvae)(can be small one if you buy 2 small set)
- Purpose: This is where mealworms (larvae) grow and produce waste.
- Setup:
- Use a large container.
- Provide wheat bran as their primary food and carrots (once a week) for moisture.
- Maintenance:
- Mealworms do not lay eggs; they only eat, grow, and produce dung.
- Regularly clean the bottom tray by removing the dung and disposing of it in a garbage bin.
- Lifecycle:
- Mealworms will eventually turn into pupae.
2. Collecting Pupae
- Purpose: Separate pupae to prevent them from being disturbed or eaten by other mealworms.
- Process:
- Collect pupae from the mealworm farm.
- Place them in a small plastic box.
- Maintenance:
- Pupae do not need food or water.
- They will naturally transform into beetles within about 2 weeks.
3. Small Farm for Beetles
- Purpose: This is where adult beetles lay eggs.
- Setup:
- Use a smaller farm or large one.
- Provide wheat bran as their primary food and carrots (once a week) for moisture.
- Maintenance:
- Beetles lay eggs but produce less dung compared to mealworms.
- The eggs are laid in the bottom tray of the beetle farm.
- Egg Collection:
- Every month, transfer the contents of the bottom tray (which contains eggs and tiny worms) into a large plastic box.
4. Raising Tiny Worms
- Purpose: Allow the tiny worms (newly hatched mealworms) to grow.
- Setup:
- Use a large plastic box for the tiny worms.
- Add wheat bran as food.
- Maintenance:
- Keep the tiny worms in the plastic box for about 1 month to allow them to grow larger.
- Ensure they have enough bran to eat.
5. Transferring to Mealworm Farm
- Purpose: Move the growing mealworms back to the large farm to continue the cycle.
- Process:
- After a month, the worms will have grown larger.
- Transfer everything from the large plastic box (worms and bran) back into the mealworm farm (Step 1).
Cycle Summary
1. Mealworms (Larvae): Grow and produce dung in the large farm.
2. Pupae: Collected and placed in a small box to transform into beetles.
3. Beetles: Lay eggs in the small farm; eggs and tiny worms are transferred to a plastic box.
4. Tiny Worms: Grow in the plastic box for a month, then moved back to the mealworm farm.
Why This Cycle Works
- Separation of Life Stages: By keeping larvae, pupae, and beetles in separate containers, you prevent cannibalism and ensure efficient growth and reproduction.
- Minimal Maintenance: Regular cleaning and feeding are the primary tasks, making it a low-maintenance system.
- Sustainability: The cycle repeats indefinitely, ensuring a continuous supply of mealworms.
Key Tips for Success
- Hygiene: Clean the farms regularly to prevent mold and pests.
- Temperature and Humidity: Maintain optimal conditions (around 18-30°C and keep dry) for mealworm growth and reproduction.
- Food Supply: Ensure a steady supply of wheat bran and carrots for all life stages.
- Monitoring: Check each stage regularly to ensure the cycle is running smoothly.
This system is efficient, scalable, and perfect for producing mealworms for animal feed, composting, or even human consumption!