My Mealie Colony

[brad.a.c]

I would just like to post my mealie colony and say thanks to all who helped me get it started on here.
This is my mealie tub. It's a little big I know but it was a left-over tub, (as were all the others that I'm posting) and it leaves room for alot more if I need to get more.

This is my pupae container. There used to be more but alot of them turned into beetles.

And finally this is my beetle tub. Right now I have about 7 beetles in there.

Any helpful criticism is very welcome.
Hope you enjoy the pics! :main_cool3:

 

[ReptileMan27]

you better hide those mealies lol, people will be coming to steal them lol.

 

[Bling_my_leo]

Sweet colony you have there Brad! I belive I saw this same thread on RZ..

 

[brad.a.c]

you better hide those mealies lol, people will be coming to steal them lol.

LOL! Yeah, probably so.
Bling, you did. I posted it I think before I posted it here. Thanks for the compliments!

 

[HepCatMoe]

hola

hey nice set up. mine is basically the same. fyi potatos work good if you have a lot of mealies, becuase they will eat them right away, but otherwise they get wierd mold. i think it killed off a lot of my mealies.

i would recomend using super small oranges slices for now, as they dont get that mold. i find apple works well also.

also, ive recently been throwing koi pellets into my tubs. i dont know if it really helps them, but they gobble it up super quick.

 

[brad.a.c]

Cool, thanks! I change out my potatos every 2 or 3 days so they won't get too much mold.

 

[mynewturtle]

You should change them out before they get mold, you do not want your mealworms injesting any mold. Your colony is looking great so far, you'll have thousands of little wee worms before you know it.

 

[brad.a.c]

You should change them out before they get mold, you do not want your mealworms injesting any mold. Your colony is looking great so far, you'll have thousands of little wee worms before you know it.

Noted. I have taken the potatos out before and there was a little mold underneath but I'll be more careful in the future.
Update:
Now I have 10 beetles and 1 more pupae about to turn into another, (probably tonight).
I also just wanted to ask a quick question:
How many mealies is in a clutch?

 

[brad.a.c]

Does anybody know?

 

[clear]

What is better to use than potato and carrots for moisture that doesn't mold so bad?

 

[brad.a.c]

Pretty much everything you put in there that has water in it is going to mold. You can put orange peels but they don't have as much water.

 

[Paco]

Water Crystals work the best!!!

 

[clear]

Water Crystals work the best!!!

So how do you use water crystals for worms?

 

[HepCatMoe]

i say use orange. i have noticed that oranges last longer than anything else. i think the citric acid helps prevent mold, just a guess though.

 

[hoppslover]

I have been using carrots. I have had no mold issues with them. Usually the dry up and I take them out. I would guess that I have 400 to 500 beatles right now, and the adult worms I have are starting to turn into pupae. I have separated my beetles from the bedding twice now. The first bedding is getting very close to being feeder size. I have been feeding them to my babies though. Sometimes I think raising mealworms are almost as fun as the geckos. Na and definitely not as cute. But they are fun.