MEALWORM FARMING FOR BEGINNERS - Moving Beetles In Your Mealworm Colony

In this video, I show you how to move beetles in your mealworm colony and easily separate the live ones from the dead ones. My method makes it SUPER easy - check it out!
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[@amitatmsu]

You are explaining like a teacher or professor, enjoyed seeing your video. Excellent information and very useful.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vamce01]

Thanks for the trick for removing the dead beetles from the live ones!

[@TheRealRancherMike]

You bet!

[@Aaronsutube1]

New chicken owner here, and soon-to-be mealworm owner as well! This video and series of videos is perfect to help show me a system that works for mealworm creation. I will definitely keep watching as my first batch of mealworms come in the mail!

[@vickyannpaintingwithoils]

Starting to think it is easier to buy meal worms from someone like you, than it is to tend to three gardens, chickens, dogs, a pond, and acreage and still have time to bake and cook meals for my family. :) Fascinating video. Thank you

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Check out my website at www.mealwormfarmingsolutions.com if you’re interested in buying live mealworms!

[@FraBra88]

You are very gentle with them ❤ And what an amizing system, clean and neat

[@hellatovar1743]

Thanks

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thank you!!

[@nebenazemi9045]

Hi, your videos are a real treasure! I'm just starting to breed worms and information from you is the best available on the internet. Thanks to you, there will be a small, functioning worm farm in the Czech Republic. Thank you for the great work and good luck with your farm! 🍀

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thank you!

[@beebob1279]

Just subscribed. I have mealworms from my second grade classes at my school. They are done their insect unit and the teachers had to get rid of their beetles. Basically, this is what I'm starting with. There were only a few meal worms and larva remaining. So, I guess I'm starting with just beetles and building from there. I like the racking system and will likely build one for my growing colony. Instead of feeding chickens (our township doesn't allow farm animals) so I'll be using it for fishing. Bait is getting expensive so why not just grow my own. I've got worms in bins and now it's time to build up a meal worm set up. Next year when the second grade needs mealworms I'll be ready to give back what they did for me. Actually I'll let them use the bins with eggs so they can see the whole process.

[@SummerAdams-vh4ho]

This is very helpful because I have a mealworm farm.

[@nancyholmquist2573]

I am new to this... THANK YOU! You answered every question I had.

[@kaleemullahhussainisyed164]

Thanks for good teaching

[@MrLukeSimmonds]

Thanks for sharing man! Nice to see your passion!

[@TraumaQueen65]

Thanks Mike. Best mealworm info I've found so far 👍🏻

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thanks, Kris!

[@Vincent-tn7ut]

It's a pity I don't know English. I'm from Brazil and I raise the flour bug. I'm using google translator

[@Gwennydove]

We appreciate you putting ALL the info up on your site. Thank you. We think you have done a WONDERFUL and complete job! I am wondering, since you recommend mealworms on your Amazon sheet list (and not selling them yourself), are they going to propagate? I have learned that some places that sell worms can be sprayed with “something” so that they do not propagate. We are interested in starting our own little mealworm farm for our chickens. Not interested in just buying them the worms. Thank you for your answer! And God bless you and your family.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thank you, Wendy!

[@JanetJohnson-c5s]

Thank you so much for your how-to videos. :) My daughter has a leopard gecko and we live in a rural area where a pet store is over 40 min away. This has given us great information on how to grow our own mealworms. The only problem is.... she wants chickens now. LOL ;p

[@TheRealRancherMike]

🤣 Thanks for the feedback, Janet, and best of luck to your daughter with her mealies!

[@melaniethurmond8528]

Best. Video. Ever!!! Thank You!!!

[@iphedianetwork]

Educational information. Very helpful. Thank you for the information.

[@shanamoon7012]

Great info Mike, thankyou for sharing your breeding method it's been a huge help for me while I start up my mealworm set up

[@eleazarfigallo1551]

Amazing tip Mike!!! Thanks

[@timewoundsallheels4ever]

Many thanks for showing and explaining your greatly organized and clean breeding colony ! I should like to have a go but on a smaller scale to feed the worms to my garden birds. Would love to learn more about the timings you are using for working through the different stages worms - pupae - beetles - eggs - worms. Also, can you delay transformation from worms to pupae by cooling; for how long can you keep the worm stage?

[@FknNefFy]

I like how nice u are to them

[@bfranklyn610]

sooo much information LOVE IT!

[@haideenavarro6349]

Thank you so much for sharing your valuable knowledge!

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thanks!

[@joeturner1195]

Great information Learning how long does it take to see or start finding eggs or tiny meal worms have had for around 4 weeks and not seeing any of both I have a screen in the bottom of my beetle drawer have multiple pupa in my worm drawer and doing like you are doing separating them thanks

[@101Cecilia]

Very nice

[@mariapapademetri9297]

Great information 🙂

[@patrickkelly8095]

What is a good temperature range? Is a cool basement good?

[@Snakez_ZA]

Impressive really nice video

[@GrimxXxReaper666]

Thanks for the amazing information, can you please tell me how often should i give them food and how much food should I offer them ? Thank you so much

[@justinmorrow2932]

Nice process. Could you just put the strained beetles (alive and dead) back on the pupae tray and wait for the live beetles to crawl off/underneath leaving only the dead bits on top?

[@nikkilovetheyardsale-again2608]

So what temperature do you "heat treat" the food for the worms/beetles? Im in the first step where i got 1000+large superworms. Im doing as much research as i POSSIBLY can to keep the food fo my beardie healthy and clean as possible. So can you please let us know the temperature you hewt treat at?

[@danielombaard9795]

Can u please share why do u move your beetles every 2 weeks to another bin,i do se allot of people doing but why?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I do this to prevent the beetles from eating the eggs that they are laying. If you leave them in too long, it cuts down on your mealworm production efficiency. Hope that helps!

[@courtneyklein77]

Love your mealworm videos! You should do another follow-up/maintenance video!

[@123teaboy]

How often that you do this and how long the beetle can leave thanks

[@crystallane886]

Used this video to start a successful mealworm colony several months ago. My beardie and I thank you. Did I miss in the video where you mention when to retire the beetles as egg layers. If the female lays around 500 eggs in her life... when and what do I do with the beetles down the road?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thanks, Crystal! As for when to “retire” beetles, I actually just let them die off naturally. Whenever I move the beetles to a new bin, I try to separate the dead ones and feed them to my chickens. 😉

[@QueenBee-qd7vx]

@@TheRealRancherMike i separate mine by hand... time intensive but very relaxing... I noticed the dead beetles smell really bad, and once I gave them to my chickens I had a nightmare that I hurt them by giving them rotten beetles.... is that an actual thing? I haven't been able to find any info on it so I just compost the dead ones now. I had a sick chicken pass away once and I don't want it to ever be my fault so I was going with the better safe than sorry. Am I being too much of a mother hen? Lol

[@SuperMasterTurtle]

I just started a small mealworm farming experiment. I bought them through Amazon about 4 weeks ago. The worms are now turning into beatles. Many of them seem deformed by compare to the others. I have given them heat treated wheat bran and carrots, is there anything else I should be giving them that I missed ? Thanks

[@GeekyGeckoCreations]

where do you get those racks/bins? thanks! :D

[@joechew1412]

thank you for the info. can you share how a mealworm farmer calculates sales and profit?

[@imshukri]

How you heat treated the wheat bran?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Check out my other video on how to heat-treat the wheat bran: QUICK TIP - No More Grain Mites ... Ever! - Preventing Grain Mites In Your Mealworm Colony - #Shorts kzbin.infoQYP9EjQ6918?feature=share

[@MitchellBlanton-mj6ij]

Where do you get the containers for the worm farm

[@grammadrm4974]

Nicely done. Do you sell the mealworms?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I do! Check out my website - www.mealwormfarmingsolutions.com for more info!

[@melaniethurmond8528]

Rancher Mike..... Which Sifters do you use the most? I don't really want to buy the whole set if I only need 2-3 of them. Thank You

[@jeffersoncarlisle3125]

Skillz!!!

[@summaandsonsleopardgeckos9032]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to share your methods. How long are the beetles left in the new bin, before moving to a new bin? Thanks in advance.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Thanks! I leave the beetles in the bin for 2-3 weeks before moving them. That gives the mature beetles plenty of time to breed.

[@patriciarobinson4267]

Great video rancher Mike. I didn't catch how warm or humid it should be; I'm wanting to grow mine in the garage through winter, and it's not heated, will this work ? Stay cool, and bug out...💚🧡👍👍

[@Danyman1212]

They like to reproduce with higher temperatures around 70-80F I believe but do your research

[@TheRealRancherMike]

That is correct!

[@lorraineayre]

Where do you get your black trays with screen lids? Thanks.

[@CoralMan24]

what is your process for heat treating your wheat bran? could you do a small video of your process please :)

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Perhaps I will do one soon.

[@CoralMan24]

@@TheRealRancherMike that would be great cause I'm not sure how to approach doing it

[@karenphillips9641]

I found Darkling beetles in my hay about 5 weeks ago. I sent photos to the college for verification. Then 3 days later there were no beetles. Now a month later with no sign of beetles I bought hay and stacked it on pallets in the same place. Was I wrong doing that? Don’t know how thw disappeared or where they went. I need your advice. Should I move the hay to a different location. I watched your video and that is why I am contacting you. Is it possible the beetles are in the dirt under the pallets?

[@simonesmit6708]

Do you use the meal worms as chicken/poultry feed? Interesting video. Edit: watched all the wsy through so I now know.🤪 My town may start allowing a few backyard chickens so this is very interesting. Also, would the meal worms be a good source of protein for fish?

[@Gwennydove]

Hi! I know this is months later, but I noticed no answer here. You may have already found the answer you were looking for. But in case you don’t know, YES. These are a good source of food for fish!

[@commercialelectrician133]

Great video

[@karenfoster5705]

Like your video. I am wondering how many chickens you have and how often you feed them the worms and how many worms you give them at a time? Thank you

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I had about 20, but a family of hawks killed most of mine, unfortunately. I am left with 5 and one rooster and will likely be getting more in the spring. I love the fresh eggs!

[@QueenBee-qd7vx]

@@TheRealRancherMike sorry for your loss!! I know I'm late to the comments party but I'm wondering how you are going to amalgamate your new chickens in with your old because you have a rooster.

[@cathyhanley8658]

Can you leave the pupae in with the mealworms and just take out the beetles?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

The mealworms will also attack the pupae, so not a good idea.

[@susanhaglund4823]

This is the first video I watched of yours, how many chickens do you have for the system that you have at the moment. In this video?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I have 15 chickens at present, and with two colonies (or rows) of mealworms, I generate plenty for my ladies!

[@bettylee5891]

Where did you get your black trays and covers

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Hi Betty! At the bottom of each of my YT videos, I include a link to my Amazon storefront. There, you will find a section called “Mealworm Farming.“ In that section, I list several bins, totes, and lids that you can use with your mealworm farm. Each time you purchase from my link, I get a very small commission, which helps me continue making these videos. For my system, I used these pans: amzn.to/3FoYtgg and these lids: amzn.to/384RNI5. For the lids, I cut the top with a router and added mesh for ventilation. The mesh I used is here: amzn.to/3KTc8NV. I attached the mesh with this two-sided tape: amzn.to/3FmRynV. I then placed this gaffer’s tape over top: amzn.to/3FmRt3B. Hope that helps!

[@TheRealDogfart]

Any resource tips for beginning mealworm ranchers that need bulk wheat bran but not by the truckload?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Hey Mick - I have an Amazon link at the bottom of each video, and there, under "Mealworm Farming," you will find a link to the wheat bran I buy. I usually buy two 25 lb. bags at a time, and I heat treat one and store the other in my freezer until I am ready to heat-treat. Hope that helps!

[@TheRealDogfart]

@@TheRealRancherMike Awesome. Thanks.

[@artcraftwithajiteshbarman1772]

What are you using. Oats or wheat bran

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I use wheat bran that I buy online. Thanks for watching!

[@brkcagemodularaccessory]

I follow you with admiration, how many kilos of mealworms do you get per month with so many bugs?

[@russellkeillor9766]

Yes I’d like to know too.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I collect around 1.5 - 2.0 kg or mealworms every two weeks.

[@esuiio5843]

What about the beetle waste? How do you separate the waste from the food substrate?

[@surefiremushroomsmicrogreens]

I have officially made it through 2 beetle cycles and I was wondering how many beetles per bin once you have a 1000? I want to separate them into colonies of their own. For a breeder would 100 per beetle bin be worth it it seems when I have to many beetles they get lazy and start eating each other instead of crawling to the carrots. Should I have multiple towers? I have lots of friends and family so I want enough to supply them on the weekly. Any advice would be so much appreciated ❤️🙏

[@TheRealRancherMike]

It's hard to say how many beetles per bin, but 100 sounds low. I would shoot for 500-1000 per bin. And the beetles don't usually eat each other - are you sure you're not just watching them mate instead??? 🤔

[@anneingraham]

Where can I buy beetles to begin this process ?

[@subtropicalsteph]

Do the beetles climb down from the raised pupae tray on their own? Or do you move them yourself?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Most climb down on their own, but I have to encourage some to move.

[@Bizzen2007]

hey rancher mike, great channel. what do you estimate the amount of mealworms you produce a month to be?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

I usually get around 2-3 pounds of mealworms per colony every two weeks or so, and I have two colonies growing right now. So, 4-6 pounds per month?

[@sheilanies152]

I was wondering do mealworms have to be in the refrigerator all the time I bought them from Pet Zone most of them are dark brown lady said it happened on within the hour. I took my other 2 containers put them in my room over night they were fine. Ones I bought last so slow my little turtle thinks they are dead he won't eat them. He eats the other ones with no problem will mine turn into beetles or will they die I bought 500 of them I am stuck with them the lady said they are molting to me it looks like they are dying barely see the feet move.

[@figuringoutstella]

I like Mealworms

[@KimAyers-i5m]

Hey, when mealworms shed there skin,is that called pupae.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

No, the pupae stage is when they are making the last change from a mealworm to a beetle. They are white, C-shaped organisms with a large head and a pointy tail. 😉

[@rachelblack3921]

How many mealworms should you feed your chickens a week? What about meat chickens?

[@SmedleySpatz716]

Where did you get those trays and lids from??

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Hi Rebecca - you can buy them on Amazon. I have an Amazon storefront that I personally curate, and you can find the link at the bottom of each of my videos. There, under "Mealworm Farming," you will find the bins and lids. Thanks for watching!

[@keshiamcfarlin3468]

How do you decide how many mealworms to keep for the next cycle and how many to keep for your chickens?

[@TheRealRancherMike]

When I see pupae developing in a bin, I move the pupae to the beetle tray and start harvesting a portion of the mealworms for my chickens. I just eyeball how many to remove for my chickens (and how many to keep in the bin so they can develop in to pupae) based on how my beetle bins are coming along. If my beetles are dying out rapidly, I might leave more mealworms in the bin to develop into pupae. If my beetle bins are doing well, and I am developing excess mealworms, I will store the extra mealworms in my garage refrigerator until I can feed them to my chickens. Hope that helps!

[@marcusvinicius9811]

hello, where I find this sieve I'm from Brazil.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

If you go to the bottom of my video, you will find my Amazon storefront link. Once you click it, go to the "Mealworm Farming" tab. There you will find the items shown in my video. Hope that helps!

[@jasoncyr9855]

I started my colony inside and it has exploded in just 4 short months. I need to move them into my garage (they are causing me sinus issues) but I'm not firm on the temperature range they need. It is still in the 80s low 90s and I'm afraid I'll kill them if I move them too soon? So I guess my question is, what temperature range will they survive, reproduce in...my garage is NOT climate controlled and I can't do anything about that since I rent...

[@TheRealRancherMike]

Hey Jason. Sorry to hear about your situation, but it might be a tad too warm in your garage for your mealies and beetles to proliferate. They can survive up to 100 deg F, but above about 85 deg F, your production will drop off precipitously. Also, keep in mind that if your room is 85 deg F, the bin is likely even hotter since the food substrate tends to be several degrees hotter than the air with active mealworms and/or beetles present.

[@cassandrabelyeu2419]

I thought Darkling Beetles could fly. They don’t? That would certainly make them easier to cultivate.

[@TheRealRancherMike]

They do not fly.

[@cassandrabelyeu2419]

@@TheRealRancherMike Thank goodness.

[@FknNefFy]

What about all the meal worm poop?!

[@Lizerdbrain]

How do you heat treat 55 gal worth of bran😂

[@gmathis4829]

Everything Old is "New" again, eventually......

[@sdqsdq6274]

man grain mite is one horror story , so that what they are called

[@leescollard8166]

Excellent video

[@dapgamebirdshomestead8012]

Great video

[@commercialelectrician133]

Great video