Key Technical Points and Methods for Centipede Farming Explained

The first step is to build the breeding pond, which should be a brick-and-cement structure and provide a warm, cool, humid and quiet environment; the second step is feeding management, raising 200-300 centipedes per sq m, with food mainly consisting of yellow mealworms, crickets, locusts, tender plant leaves, etc.; the third step is preventing natural enemies and diseases, keeping the rearing environment cool and humid, and promptly using the appropriate medicines.

At present, the methods of centipede farming include:

1. Box farming

The farming box is made of wooden boards, and a size of 55 cm long, 45 cm wide and 30 cm high is more suitable. The inner walls of the box are lined with a layer of non-toxic plastic film, and an iron gauze lid is fitted to the box opening. After the box is made, place it in a suitable position indoors; if there are multiple boxes, arrange them well. Place multiple layers of tiles at the bottom of the box, with a gap of about 1.5 cm between the tiles, and use cement to pad the four sides. Usually 5-6 tiles form one stack, so the gaps left between the tiles can provide a place for centipedes to rest. Before the tiles are put into the box, wash them clean with water and let them absorb enough water, so as to create a humid environment for the centipedes. Also, after a certain period, replace them with a batch of pre-made new tiles to keep them moist, clean and hygienic.

2. Jar farming

Usually ceramic jars are used; choose ceramic jars with a mouth diameter of 50-60 cm and a height of 80-100 cm. Place them in a suitable position indoors, and put a layer of crushed stones or broken tiles at the bottom of the jar. Cover this with a 30 cm thick layer of fertile vegetable garden soil, level it slightly, and stack tiles on the soil surface in the same way as for box farming. The top layer of tiles should be about 20 cm below the jar mouth, and cover the jar mouth with an iron gauze lid to prevent the centipedes from escaping.

3. Pond farming

Build ponds indoors or outdoors for farming; the ponds are of brick-and-cement structure. Indoor ponds are generally suitable at about 2 sq m each, rectangular, with a height of 50-60 cm. The inner walls should be smoothed with cement without leaving any gaps, and lined with agricultural film, or a 20 cm wide ring of glass can be inset around the upper part of the pond. Do not lay cement at the bottom of the pond; first spread a layer of small soil clods about 10 cm thick, then stack 5-6 layers of tiles on top, with 1.5 cm gaps left between the tiles for the centipedes to rest and to lay and hatch eggs. In areas with cold weather, a pit 50 to 60 cm deep can be dug on the inner side of the pond wall at a certain distance from the wall, and stones, broken bricks and broken tiles can be piled in the pit with gaps created, for the centipedes to overwinter. The pond opening should be tightly covered with an iron gauze lid or plastic gauze lid.

The centipede is a venomous arthropod, so farmers must pay attention to safety protection when farming them. If bitten accidentally, be sure to treat it promptly or send the person directly to a doctor for treatment.