How to Raise Mealworms? Detailed Guide to Breeding Methods and Techniques

Mealworms can be used as feed and can also be eaten. They are rich in protein and are called a “treasure house of protein feed”. They are welcomed by many breeders and consumers, so how do you raise mealworms?

1. Equipment: cardboard boxes, basins or vats, cement pools, etc. can all be used. The inner walls are required to be smooth and more than 15 cm deep to prevent the insects from climbing out. At present, the ideal rearing equipment is a square wooden box. You can nail boards into a square wooden box, fasten the bottom tightly with plywood, and seal the surroundings tightly with wide adhesive tape so that the four inner walls of the box are smooth and the insects are prevented from climbing out.

2. Feed: Mealworms eat feed from a wide range of sources. In artificial rearing, in order to produce yellow mealworms as quickly as possible, you can feed wheat bran, cornmeal, soybean cake, carrots, vegetable leaves, melon and fruit peels, etc. There is also compound feed for chickens, to increase nutrition.

3. Temperature: Mealworms are relatively cold-tolerant. Overwintering mature larvae can tolerate -2°C, while young larvae die in large numbers at around 0°C. 2°C is their survival limit, 10°C is the starting point for development, and above 8°C they enter dormancy. 25°C-30°C is the suitable temperature range, and growth and development are fastest at 32°C, but long-term exposure to high temperatures makes them prone to disease, and above 32°C they will die from heat.

4. Humidity: Mealworms are drought-tolerant and can survive in feed with a moisture content below 10%. In a dry environment, growth and development are slow, the insects' bodies become lighter, and a large amount of feed is wasted. The ideal feed moisture content is 15%. Humidity is 50%-80%. If the feed moisture content exceeds 18% and the air humidity exceeds 85%, growth and development slow down, and they are prone to disease, especially moths. If the rearing room is too dry, you can sprinkle clean water; if the humidity is too high, ventilate promptly. The body moisture content of yellow mealworms is 48%-50%.

5. Light: Mealworms are afraid of light and are active, and they are active day and night. They do not need sunlight. Female adults lay more eggs in darker places than under strong light.

6. Diseases: The most common diseases of mealworms are drying disease and rot disease. Pay attention during the rearing process. If there are diseased insects, it is best to pick them out and throw them away in time.

7. Other: Indoor rearing must be able to prevent rats, birds, geckos, ants, etc., and must also prevent direct sunlight, air pollution, and excessive noise. Also pay attention to ventilation. The temperature across the four seasons should be controlled above 20 degrees and below 35 degrees.

The rearing method for mealworms is very simple, and the reproduction speed is relatively fast. However, when raising mealworms, you must pay attention to escape, otherwise they will get everywhere, which is very troublesome.