How to raise silkworms properly? A detailed guide to silkworm rearing methods and techniques

Silkworm rearing has a long history in China, and even today many people still raise them. Because of the high profit value, some veteran silkworm farmers have earned good profits from it. So how exactly should these rather fragile creatures be raised? Below, Qinnong Net gives you a brief introduction.

1. Management of the silkworm rearing box

Silkworms are generally raised in boxes, which makes management easier and is also good for their growth. Considering how fragile silkworms are, first of all the rearing box must be thoroughly disinfected; it is best to disinfect it and then leave it in the sun for a few days to achieve natural disinfection. Secondly, do not choose materials with strong water absorption, as silkworms prefer a relatively dry environment. Also, the rearing box should not be placed in a spot with too bright light, as this is not good for the silkworms' growth.

2. Feeding management

The mulberry leaves fed to silkworms differ at each stage, so special attention is needed. To ensure development in the early stage, the mulberry leaves used early on must be relatively fresh and tender. Silkworms do not need water when being fed; all their water comes from the mulberry leaves, so the leaves fed each time should be as fresh as possible, and the moisture on the leaf surface must be wiped off completely. Feeding times are generally from about 7 a.m. to about 10 p.m., with 4 to 5 feedings in between. The mulberry leaves must be spread over the silkworms' bodies, as this helps them eat, generally at a thickness of about 3-4 layers of mulberry leaves.

3. Environmental management

Silkworms are relatively sensitive to light and temperature. Young silkworms in the early stage should generally avoid exposure to light; under light they hatch more slowly, and the temperature should be controlled at around 25-30°C. In the early stage after hatching, keep it at around 30-33°C; at this point light control can be slightly looser, but continuous bright light should still be avoided as much as possible. In the middle and later stages, a temperature of around 25°C is about right; at this time a bright environment can occasionally be maintained, but dim conditions should still predominate.

4. Points to note

First of all, silkworms are very fragile. Once diarrhea occurs, it is a very serious problem for them, so they must be isolated promptly to avoid affecting more of them. Secondly, there is the cleaning of excrement. To avoid injuring the silkworms during cleaning, it is recommended not to clean too often; generally clean only when the silkworm droppings have accumulated too deep. Also, the leftover stems of the mulberry leaves must be cleaned up promptly to avoid harming the silkworms. Finally, the silkworm rearing environment must be kept relatively ventilated, avoiding excessive stuffiness.

The above are the methods of raising silkworms and some things to note in daily care. Silkworm rearing is indeed a farming project that places great emphasis on management, so you must put in extra care every day, because once something goes wrong with the silkworms it can easily cause a chain reaction. If you have other needs, you can follow our website.