Breeding mealworms??

[Batdad]

When breeding mealworms, do the beetles lay their eggs in the substrata or do they require something to lay their eggs on such as a stick or egg cartons??

Thanks
Bruce

[beth wallbank]

They lay their eggs right in the subtrate.

[Pia]

They lay them right in the substrate. You probably won't know you have any until they hatch into worms because they are so small.

[Pookie]

But since the beetles and the worms burrow into the substrate, how do you know when the colony is actually starting and you're gaining more mealies? I've noticed a few beetles forming in my colony but how do i tell when they're having babies? :)

[Linds]

Originally posted by Pookie
how do i tell when they're having babies? :)

Time ;) It may take a few months before you actually begin to notice little wee worms beneath the substrate.

[Pia]

It took 4 wks from the time I put the beetles in until I noticed the first baby worms. They might have hatched sooner than that though since I hadn't checked on them for four or five days.