Mealworm and Superworm substrate

Greg West · 11-24-04, 10:07 AM

Okay I am using bran and peat moss for my feeders and my alergies can't take the dust any more. I have always been alergic to the dust with itchy eyes and incessant sneezing, but last night it seemed to get worse. I was starting to have the usual problems, but also couldn't stop coughing and the more I started coughing the harder it was for me to breathe.

Anyone use something not dusty or a lot less dusty to combat allergies. I know there are more people who are alergic to the dust, so lets hear how you combat the problem.

Greg

DNA Reptiles · 11-24-04, 10:12 AM

Hello Greg,
It must be a pain having allergies like you have! If it's any help I use a peat moss and potting soil mix for my worms etc and it always has some humidity, hence I don't detect any dust.
Maybe something like this will help, although my actual mealworms are still kept in bran....Andrea

Linds · 11-24-04, 10:15 AM

Well I kow peat moss can be quite dusty, but do you have problems with grain?? I know a lot of people with allergies or sensitive immune systems have reactions to the chitin and cannot keep worm colonies, is this possibly the case?

I don't know if it would be any different, but I've always used a combination of spirulina fish flakes, pablum (mixed fruit), 12 grain mix, oat bran, wheat bran, rye flakes (these can be a bit dusty), rolled oats (have some dust as well), holistic cat and dog food 'dust', and horse chunk dust (very dusty).

Right now I am unable to use anything edible, so I am trying out beta chip in my colonies, which I find to be dustless.

Greg West · 11-24-04, 10:23 AM

I think it maybe dust in general. I am now having to wear dusk masks while routering or dusty work in the garage for the same reason. I should have been doing it long ago.

Its the stirring up the dust to find the worms. I don't seem to have a problem when going into my dragon cages with the bran unless I am scooping large quantities out of it.

Anyone use eggcrate or something like that?

I might try the peat moss and potting soil that is moist.

Does the mealworms mind being in a more wet environment. I always thought they needed it dry and add moisture rich vegtables for them to feed off of.

Greg

karmeleon · 11-24-04, 10:42 AM

I use aspen for superworms with grain. Is a little less duty.

Greg West · 11-24-04, 10:45 AM

What are beta chips and where do you get them from?

Greg

Edwin · 11-24-04, 11:13 AM

Beta chips are just chipped hardwood shavings. Pet stores and nurseries carry them.

Linds · 11-24-04, 12:20 PM

I know Ren's feed carries it as well as PCPC, I've never seen it anywhere else though. I'm not sure where you would be able to get it out there, however. I'm sure any feed supply would be able to order it in for you though.

Below pics taken from Roy's post in this thread... http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...threadid=56729

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/1801Betachip-med.jpg">
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/1801Dscn0975-med.jpg">

annieb_mice · 11-24-04, 12:23 PM

I use a grain mixture and have found it to work great. I also add powdered milk, rice flakes, and a few other things. The mealworms love it, and I've had no problems with moths...

I have athsma so sometimes I have a hard time breathing too.. but this mixture works pretty good for me.... it's not so dusty, and I changed the bedding about once a week or so...

Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

spidergecko · 11-24-04, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greg West
Does the mealworms mind being in a more wet environment. I always thought they needed it dry and add moisture rich vegtables for them to feed off of.

Mealworms do need a dry environment. They eat decaying vegetation and the occasional live plant. In a natural environment I believe they are seed eaters. The only thing you need to do is find a dry substate that the mealworms can burrow into. It doesn't have to be edible to any degree and it doesn't even have to be natural. If you offer a dish with vegetables, seeds, or any other gutload you will be fine.

Maybe you could try a substate of seeds. This will be less dusty and nutritional.

Greg West · 11-24-04, 03:13 PM

I might try the seed idea. I will have to find a cheap seed mix and try it out. Thanks for the info. Hopefully this helps as im still sneezing and coughing 16 hours later. Can breathe better at least but continual sneezing is getting really annoying.

Greg

the_frog_man · 11-29-04, 08:01 PM

i only use eco-earth

thanx froggy