Superworm breeding question

[ZooKeeperKarin]

For any of you breeding supers, do you heat at the beetle stage? If so, to what temp and with what (lights, UTH)?
I have about 25 beetles, but they do nothing except congregate underneath the egg carton and don't move. I'm not even sure if they're eating. I'm assuming they are too cool (room temp). I have them on cornmeal for substrate and chicken starter and carrots for food.
Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I don't heat at any stage but my room is always above 80. IDK if others do in cooler temps. They do need warmth. While the beetles are clustered up in the egg carton they are busy busy busy doing the deed They don't need but 1 piece of carrot, and will go to it when they need it. You don't want any mold growing, it will destroy the eggs. I had to throw out one batch because the container wasn't ventilated enough. It takes a while to get the colony going where you can actually see progress- don't give up!

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

I def won't give up on them! They just seem so inactive. Maybe there's more going on than I realize. lol I figured heat would probably make them more active.

 

[T-ReXx]

You need to keep all stages of super worm warm to get them to breed. At least 80F. If it's under that, you will have problems with the adults breeding and eggs not hatching.

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

So HOW are you heating? UTH? Lights? I have them in a plastic drawer system.

 

[Imperial Geckos]

i just keep them in my garage, 80'F-86'F

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Hmmmm... garage might be a possibility for summer. But you're in Florida... I'm in New York! Big difference in temps! That would probably work for the summer season, though.

 

[T-ReXx]

I'm in NY and I simply keep them in the walk in closet where I keep my roach bins. The heat cable I use to heat the roach bins keeps the entire closet in the 80-85F range. If you don't have a warm room for them, try using an uth, heat tape, or heat cable. Make sure it's on a dimmer or thermostat. Don't use lights, lights will stress the beetles(they like it dark) and dry things out quickly, and you want it very slightly on the more humid side.

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

I'm in NY and I simply keep them in the walk in closet where I keep my roach bins. The heat cable I use to heat the roach bins keeps the entire closet in the 80-85F range. If you don't have a warm room for them, try using an uth, heat tape, or heat cable. Make sure it's on a dimmer or thermostat. Don't use lights, lights will stress the beetles(they like it dark) and dry things out quickly, and you want it very slightly on the more humid side.

I was thinking my heat tape would work on the extra shelf. I'll have to raise the plastic bin off the shelf though. It's a completely flat bottom bin and I don't think I can have that flush on the heat tape, can I? I thought there had to be at least SOME air flow for it not to overheat. I'll give it a shot and see what the temps get to.
Is there any special way you raise the humidity in the winter?