Detailed Guide to Preparing Rearing Soil for Ground Beetles

Ground beetles live in soil, and the quality of the rearing soil is crucial to their growth, development, and reproduction.

The best time to collect soil for rearing soil is generally winter, when there are fewer pests, diseases, and miscellaneous microbes in the soil. When collecting soil, turn over the soil layer and break it up, then expose it to the sun to disinfect, sterilize, and kill insects. Using benzalkonium bromide and formalin at an 800-fold dilution, spray evenly onto the rearing soil with a sprayer while turning the soil. Then, for each square meter of rearing soil, dilute 100 grams of 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate 100-fold and spray it evenly onto the rearing soil, spreading it as evenly as possible. After mixing well, cover with plastic film and press the edges down tightly to prevent air leakage. After 1 week of treatment, spread it out to air for 1 to 2 weeks, then mix in 2 jin of weathered lime powder per 100 jin of rearing soil, and afterwards sieve it through a 6-mesh sieve for later use.

The moisture of the rearing soil is also very important to the growth and development of ground beetles. The suitable water content of the rearing soil is 15% to 20%. When adding water while preparing the rearing soil, pour the water in several times, stirring while pouring, so that the water content is about 20%. It is best if the soil forms a ball when squeezed in the hand and breaks apart when dropped to the ground.

In short, the best rearing soil is loose, fertile, and moist.