More on Mealworms

I wrote earlier about my mite infestation here and here.   So far my containment strategies are working.  Though my mite infestation continues, it is in a self-contained universe. And the process of taking worms out of a contaminated bin, rinsing them off, and blotting them on paper towels and rehoming to the mite-free bin is working just fine.  I undertook this study because I was unwilling to throw out my initial colony which took a bit of time to cultivate.  I'm glad that I went down this path, because I have lots of larvae.

One modification to my initial strategy is that I made to the most contaminated bin was to use a moat strategy (which I read about elsewhere).  This ensured that the eggs and tiny larva could develop (I've noticed no deleterious effects from the mites on the worms) while keeping the mites quarantined.  To use  this strategy, simply put a container within a larger container fille with water.  Change the water weekly.

In beginning this process, I had my first beetle 05/09/2018.  My original beetle bin is now just down to a fraction of the original size.  As this bin was infested (and still is), I keep it separate.  No new beetles are added to this bin, and once they die, the bedding (with eggs) will go to the moat bin.

My larger bin of worms has mites, but it is not an overwhelming infestation.  I harvest from this bin as well as wash/dry worms and rehome for the mite-free bin so they can move through their life stage. This bin has a large population of larvae (tiny - large). 

I wanted to share a few things that have been successful with the feeding and care of the mealworms (all life stages)--particularly to have appropriate moisture:

•  I am using food grade cornmeal (bought at restaurant supply store so it is very cheap for a 50lb bag).  My original bedding was wheat bran (livestock grade) and it despite microwaving, it was the source of my infestation.
• Because it is so fine, I cannot sift frass from the cornmeal.  Okay for larvae as there are no eggs to worry about.  Less ideal for beetles.
• Coffee filters:  These make a great floater for moist food.  The filter absorbs moisure and the larva can eat from below and above.
• Cat food tins:  larvae enjoy the remnants of your canned catfood (to include the goo on the lid).
• In looking for moisture, I found the following:
• Leaves---I put some Japanese maple leaves in the larva bin to see what would happen.  The worms devoured them. 
• Carrots:  I have found that taking a vegetable peeler and peeling long strips of carrot is the best way for larva to enjoy....they eat it quickly; get the moisture, and there is no waste. Putting chunks of carrot is a waste, in my view.  The worms cannot consume it before it goes past prime. 
• Tortillas:   Larvae eat the tortillas, but not before they become very hard and dry.  In such a state they do not mold, and they provide a natural surface to add moist items (e.g. apple etc).  Same for bread.
• Solid Pack Pumpkin (not pie filling):  I add this to my dog's diet and thought that the larva and beetles might enjoy.  I gave it a try.  It was a huge hit. I smeared some on tortilla and some stale bread.  
• Vegetable trimmings: The larva enjoy vegetable scraps.  Brussel sprout trimmings, cabbage, green peppers etc.
• Apples:  I slice thinly if I use.   I also offer the core, but find that it will often mold before being fully consumed.
• Celery:  sliced thinly
• Lettuce/spinach:  any that doesn't quite make it to your plate is appreciated by the larva.

Everything that I noted above works well because it is fully consumed, and there is no waste.  However, one of the most universally recommended items potatoes, is a no-go for me.  Even sliced thinly, they get hard, and the worms just do not seem to enjoy them. 

My mealworm project has been fascinating...in addition to seeing the remarkable life cycle of this beetle, the harvest of the larva keeps my bird friends happy. Nothing is as enjoyable as seeing my bluebirds (and other birds) enjoy their snack. And this time of year, I supplement with special suet enjoyed by all of the birds.

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Mites in Mealworm Bin

In doing my research on starting a mealworm colony, I noted that grain mites can be a problem.  To avoid this catastrophe I dutifully microwaved the bedding substrate.  No problems.  When my last batch of mealworms ordered suffered an inordinately high rate of die off, to include the pupae which had about a 33% mortality rate, I increased the moisture.  My mealworms were fantastically happy.  However, this past weekend, seemingly overnight, I had a mite infestation.

In checking on my mealworms, I noted  webby stuff in a coffee filter basket (which I used for the water crystals.  When I looked closer, I realized that the bins were covered with fine white, moving mites.  Clearly, this was not a minor battle, but those little buggers (spiders actually) were in full siege mode.  They were crawling EVERWHERE.  And even though I had taken precautions and had separate bins, all of them were contaminated.  (Now I realized why I felt crawly things on my arms a few times last week after checking on mealworms.)  When I checked my wheat bran bag, (in the garage and far way from the colony, that was contaminated.  So clearly microwaving (or microwaving the way I did it) was not 100% effective.  However, I also introduced some brewer's yeast + I increased the humidity level quite a bit + I had some vegetable matter, so the source of the infestation could be manifold

I wasn't about to throw it all out.  Too much painstaking work went in to raising this first batch of worms which were now at feeding size for my bird customers.  Plus, I need to get pupae to replenish my 1st generation beetles who are running out of steam.  Here's how I'm choosing to handle--and I'll update on results.

• took all bins outside.  I had a bin with incubating eggs worms and a large bin with more mature worms.  Beetles are still doing their thing.
• sifted worms out but could not sift out all bedding.
• Cleaned the containers with soap water and then a final rinse of bleach (and final rinse)
• Put the worms (and their contaminated bedding into one of the bins).  
• Began a process of  creating an isolated colony of mite-innoculated worms.  
• I picked out individual worms in the contminated bin (but still less so) and gave them a wash off. That sounds crazy, but it worked. I simply put the worms in a fine sieve strainer, immersed it in water, and then rinsed under tap.  I then put them on a paper towel.  They did not appear uncomfortable, and they are thriving and happy.  None have died.  I was gentle, but they likely felt briefly water-boarded.

 I'm continuing to let the mite-infested colony exist with periodic harvesting for feeding the birds as well a a 'wash up' to increase the non-invested colony for development to pupae. For the mite-infested colony, I have deployed these strategies:

• Put a band of vaseline around the top boarder of the bin to keep the mites from migrating out.(I found this helpful hint on the web)  (PS:  this does not work well)
• Wiping down the sides of the bin with a vinegar soaked sponge to capture and destroy the hundreds and hundreds of little moving white dots. 
• keeping the humidity level lower.

Though not an insignificant amount of works, my customers love it.  While waiting for my mealworms (1st generation) to mature to eating size, my customers went away.  That was fine as there were no nestlings/fledglings at the time.  Now that I'm back in the feeding business, the Carolina Wrens are feeding fledglings, and I have some Bluebird juveniles (3) that are coming to the feeder with a female.  I'm wondering if they are from the last fledge from the nest box.  And, my Summer Tanager girl has come back.  I have missed her.  Though, the bluebirds (even the juveniles) are very inhospitable.

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