Starting my mealie colony

[nats]

Okay, I got a plastic Tuperware container, put about an inch of Flukers cricket chow (it's all I have!!) and put several dozen of those freaky looking pupea "aliens" in it.
I know they will soon turn into beetles!

So, what else do I need to do?

Should I put some carrot, potato, whatever in there for moisture?

Do I need to put something in there for the beetles to lay the eggs on?

At some point, do I need to remove the beetles, or can I just keep them in there with the eggs and developing larvea?

I have never done this before. I read all the "raise your own" articles on the net, and I still dont really understand how to do this. :main_huh: :main_rolleyes:

 

[thekooliest]

I thought about doing this...looked harder than dubias, so I did them.
But some people will give you good advice cause they say its easy.
I think I heard that you don't have to seperate them...but It is better if you do so because beetles eat babies if there are too many (but then you would need more tubs). Also the aliens (larvae) don't need food so people put them in plastic zip lock bags to save room.

 

[nats]

I thought about doing this...looked harder than dubias, so I did them.
But some people will give you good advice cause they say its easy.
I think I heard that you don't have to seperate them...but It is better if you do so because beetles eat babies if there are too many (but then you would need more tubs). Also the aliens (larvae) don't need food so people put them in plastic zip lock bags to save room.

Yeah I know folks say the beetles will eat the eggs.
So, how do I know when they are done laying eggs so I can take them out of there if the babies are to small to see??? :main_huh:

BTW Sam, how is your dubia colony going?

 

[Kristi23]

I am just moving my beetles once a month or so to new bedding. I keep the old bedding with the mealworms babies and eggs in it and let them grow so I can use them for feeders.

 

[thekooliest]

Thanks for asking Stan...
They like them so much that they ate them all.
I am considering buying 200+ from an ad I saw here.

EDIT: They ate all of the babies that are small enough to eat. I still have medium nymphs to adults...prolly about 30.

 

[Baoh]

Larvae, not nymphs.

Regarding the potato or carrot for moisture, do you folks cut it or place it in whole?

 

[thekooliest]

Larvae, not nymphs.

Regarding the potato or carrot for moisture, do you folks cut it or place it in whole?

I was answering nats question about how my dubia roaches are doing .

 

[nats]

Thanks for asking Stan...
They like them so much that they ate them all.
I am considering buying 200+ from an ad I saw here.

EDIT: They ate all of the babies that are small enough to eat. I still have medium nymphs to adults...prolly about 30.

LOL!
Sounds like you could still start a colony with 30, if your leos dont get them first! :main_laugh:

 

[Baoh]

I was answering nats question about how my dubia roaches are doing .

Ah, my fault and mistake, then.

Thanks.