Just started breeding my own mealworms

[Babs]

Crikey I didn't know the beetles looked like that rolf, I much prefer the wriggly adults. I sent away for a batch of mealworm, have placed them in a large bucket with the newspaper they came with now the newspaper is full of tiny holes. I put the bucket it in a box with air holes either side. I didn't have any carrot at the time so I gave them a sliced apple and boy did they munch on that. The other day I tried potato peelings, they didn't like them so yesterday I put some carrot in and they haven't touched that either, so now it's back to a small apple a day.

Well done rolf, don't know if mine will breed though but you never know

[rolf]

If you want them to pupate and turn into beatles, you will need to buy some bran from a health food store and leave some of the worms in there, they feed on the bran and small slices of apple.

[Babs]

Well it's off to the health food shop for me at weekend rolf, thanks for that

[rolf]

Just an update, I have actually managed to produce a new crop of mealworms, but has taken quite a while, as you really need to keep the whole system under tight control, probably with several containers at different stages.

The adult beetles and the mealworms themselves, will eat pretty much anything which is in the container, so you need to keep them all separate.

[Chocky]

Oh good.Glad to hear it is all going well
Now I don't want any supper.

[Babs]

Oh I had forgotten all about the mealworms, glad they are coming along nicely rolf, I will probably end up buying them on line like before

[rolf]

It is a little fiddly, bit like having a pet which needs attention, but doesn't remind you of it, so very easy to forget.

[Chocky]

Ooooh. Do they send live maggots through the post? oh I hope they wrap them up properly

[rolf]

Yes they do and no they don't.

[Chocky]

Oh my G. Glad I'm not a postal worker

[rolf]

Only joking, they are well packed.

[Chocky]

Oh. When I worked in an Aquarium shop (I had 6 aquariums once ) We used to get all sorts Daphnia and what were those little bunches of worms called I can't remember .
Oh my G ugeh

[Blue Jay]

They look tasety. Have you thought about grilling them

[rolf]

I tried that, but they wouldn't talk.

[Blue Jay]

Well cut a roll in half . Put a half in each hand and then keeping very close to the ends of the the tray clap your hands together and there you have it. Nice for lunch

[Chocky]

You could always cello tape 5 pence pieces to their heads ans make them think they are electrodes.

[Chocky]

I was going to ask how your meal worms were coming along .
Did the Robin like them ?

[rolf]

Yes, he brought his young lady across for dinner.

[Chocky]

Lol.
Perhaps they will both sing you a lullaby tonight

[rolf]

They'd better not, or it'll be no mealworms tomorrow.

[Chocky]

You asked for it

[Chocky]

are your meal worm? have any escaped and found the kitchen yet

[rolf]

They are breeding well at the moment, have been putting them out most days. They seem to be pretty well appreciated.

[Chocky]

Oh that's good .

[Chocky]

Has your beetle colony improved Rolf ?

[rolf]

It's about the same, thinking of closing it down, too much mesing around.

[Chocky]

Oh dear. don't think I could do that Nice for the birds if you have the time.