raising mealworn colony

[ZooKeeperKarin]

I've been raising crickets for awhile now and now have discovered my geckos also adore mealworms. So I've decided to try my hand at raising them too.
Anyone else raise their own? Anyone have any tips for me?
Also, if I use a plastic container (I want to use those drawers) and the drawers are about 12" deep with smoothe sides, can the darkling beetles get out?
Thanks!

 

[leogecko88]

I have been breeding my own mealworms for almost five months. I do have one tip. Make sure the beetles and mealworms stay warm. I keep mine at 80 degrees. It speeds up the process so they grow faster.
I keep my beetles in drawers that are only two inches tall, and I've never had any escape.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

I've been raising crickets for awhile now and now have discovered my geckos also adore mealworms. So I've decided to try my hand at raising them too.
Anyone else raise their own? Anyone have any tips for me?
Also, if I use a plastic container (I want to use those drawers) and the drawers are about 12" deep with smoothe sides, can the darkling beetles get out?
Thanks!

dont worry you got it goin on

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

I have been breeding my own mealworms for almost five months. I do have one tip. Make sure the beetles and mealworms stay warm. I keep mine at 80 degrees. It speeds up the process so they grow faster.
I keep my beetles in drawers that are only two inches tall, and I've never had any escape.

What kind of heat source do you use?
Thanks!

 

[leogecko88]

I keep my house at 80 this time of year, so I don't use a heat source on them. They were kept in a heated room with my leo during colder months. The temp in the room was in the mid to high 70s.
Most people don't seem to like the house being this warm in the summer, so you may need something else. I don't have experience with alternate heat sources for mealworms. Maybe someone else can help here?
By the way, it won't hurt them to be kept cooler. They will just take a little longer to breed.

 

[Taquiq]

I am going to start breeding mealworms. Beetles will only attempt to fly if they are starving.

Here is a link to a article about breeding mealworms. http://www.geckotime.com/how-to-breed-mealworms/

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Thanks for your help! The summer should be fine temp-wise, but I'm worried about the winter. If they are easy enough, I may set up a heated room in the basement and sell them.