Superworm problems

[ChristinaM]

Hey, I'm working on starting my colony, and have several beetles. But for some reason they have been dying ( not all at once or anything, but over time I've had 7-10 dead ones ).

So, how do you care for your superworm beetles?

Any tips on how I can make this process a bit easier or how should I say, how bout SUCCESSFULL????

[Linds]

For starters, can you give us the details of your setup and how your are maintaining them? We'll be able to help you better if we know where to start ;) Also how long are they lasting?

[ChristinaM]

DOH, k.

supers are forced into beetles via a toolbox type plastic compartment container.
Then the beetles are placed in a container of substrate.
( substrate including but not limited to: oatmeal, bran, cornmeal etc. I mix and match with what I have )
Fed with leftover greens, slice of sweetpotato, whatever I have handy, as well as they have small animal pellets ( alfalfa type green ones ) in the substrate.
There's a piece of sterilized bark in as well.

Kept at room temp, approx. 70F-72F.

ummmmm, they are lasting a couple weeks.

I've observed no mating ( used to seeing it with my mealworm colony ).

Currently have only 6-8 beetles.

[Siretsap]

You could try to put a bowl with a wet spunge in it. Waht we do with ours is mist some water on the substrat, but our temps are hotter than your and the water evaporates fast so there is no mold in our substrat. our last much longer when they have some water to drink, when we do not give them some, they die within a week or 2.

[ChristinaM]

Thanks, I will try the sponge :)

[Linds]

I would excercise great caution when using sponges. Most sponges these days are treated with with agents to resist bacterial growth, etc. I know in the past there have been several people that have lost their geckos by way of using sponges in humid hides.

I can't see anything wrong with your setup. I've kept mine in that manner however my temps were always around 80 degrees for the most part.

Funny you should mention the lack of breeding action. When I started out my colony (the first successful time anyways), I had about 16 beetles and for weeks there was no breeding. Silke gave me a few of hers which were humping right out of the container and all of mine started as well :p I always just say they taught them a few things... lol... but I have no idea what caused them to all of a sudden change like that. Really weird.

[ChristinaM]

ha ha. Maybe my beetles don't find each other sexy :o