You have so decided to launch your own mealworm dried insects for bearded dragons. Maybe you’re looking for a delicious lunch for your dear pets among those wiggly tiny animals. Whichever tickles your taste, you are not alone in search of another source of proteins. Mealworm raising isn’t as scary as it sounds.
First of all, they hardly are worms at all. Larvae of beetles are what they are. But let’s not become very technical as who has time for that science mumbo jumble? You merely need a shallow container. You know the old plastic storage containers gathering dust in the basement? Fantastic! Straighten it and drill some holes on the lid. Not even mealworms—none loves stuffy hotels.
The agenda then calls for bedding. For your young larvae, old oatmeal, wheat bran, or chicken feed left about will work miracles. Like you layer lasagna, spread across the bottom of the container an inch or two apart. Mealworms like to hide in bedding and chew down. It resembles their idea of breakfast in bed.
Call off the presses; remember the moisture! Mealworms must have some wet to balance their dry diet. You know, toss some fresh potatoes slices or carrots monthly to maintain them hydrinated and nutritious. Just keep in mind to replace them when they start to seem as though they have partied excessively.
To lay it out plain and simple, give ‘em food, space, moisture, and voila! Before you know it, your mealworms will start their life cycle tango. Those little larvae will transform into pupae, which transform into beetles. Not quite a butterfly, but they’ve got their own charm. They’ll then lay eggs, and in a couple of weeks, you’ll have a batch of new larvae. This cycle will repeat like clockwork, offering a consistent, renewable supply for your pets’ plates.
One also pays attention to temperature. Keep it warm, just like your cappuccino. Nobody enjoys being forgotten within the embrace of winter. Thus, keep in mind that your farm should be in a suitable area apart from direct sunshine or that drafty window.
