Meal worms causing impaction?

[kueluck]

Johnny, so how do I raise the mealworms to beetle stag? I still have 2 containers of worms and I really don't want to just throw them out. I also do crush the heads since the toads eat from tweezers.

[Lacibeth]

Johnny, so how do I raise the mealworms to beetle stag? I still have 2 containers of worms and I really don't want to just throw them out. I also do crush the heads since the toads eat from tweezers.

Spare tank, 1" or so of sand on the bottom, layer of equal parts oatmeal and bran, drop a couple of potatoes in, put a lid on. Add potatoes as needed and bran/oatmeal every 2-3wks. Voila, beetles. Continue to add potatoes and bran/oatmeal, continue to get more beetles. We also use ours as a substitute dermestid beetle colony on small things.

[kueluck]

Thanks.

[Lacibeth]

Thanks.

Whatever container you use, make sure it has a lid that the larva can't get out of. They get pretty restless right before they pupate.

[SludgeMunkey]

I use a mix of oatmeal, Cheerios breakfast cereal and corn meal in a small 5 gallon glass tank. Any glass container will do as long as it has high sides, neither beetles nor larvae are very good climbers. It is important to use glass, as the larvae can chew through plastic and wood. Once a week, throw in a chunk of raw potato. Remove the eaten dessicated potato after a few days. The potato provides moisture for the larvae and adults without risking a mold issue in your culture.
Keep the culture in a warm dark area. (I keep mine next to the hot water tank in the laundry room!) In a few weeks you will see pupae form with adults shortly after that. Once every month or so, sift the culture through a bit of wire window screen and place all the live worms, pupae and adults in fresh medium.